Columbus, Ohio, December 8-11
Grow your knowledge through a wide range of educational opportunities. Spend time at the largest regional turfgrass show in the country and learn from the experience of others while discovering the latest in turfgrass management. Share stories and uncover solutions to your problems by networking at the many social functions. These are only a few reasons that make OTF the place to be for turf and landscape professionals.
If you are a professional turfgrass manager, the 2008 Ohio Turfgrass Conference and Show is a must-attend event. Don’t miss the chance to learn from the experts and meet with your peers in Columbus.
Visit www.OhioTurfgrass.org for complete details.
Credits
CEUs
Applications have been made with neighboring states and related organizations for CEU and recertification credit. Consult www.OhioTurfgrass.org or the onsite show directory for updated recertification and continuing education credit information.
Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA)
Pesticide license recertification credit has been applied for in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and New York. Workshops and seminars offering ODA recertification credit are marked in the program with the appropriate category and credit hours. Both CORE and a variety of category credit will be offered.
GCSAA Credit
Certified golf course superintendents (CGCS) will earn continuing education units from the GCSAA for the Monday preconference workshops and each day of the conference.
STMA Credit
Certified sports turf managers (CSTM) will earn continuing education units to satisfy the recertification requirements of the STMA.
CMAA Credit
Credits are awarded on the basis of one credit per hour of instruction. Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) members may petition their national association for possible education credits.
PGA of America Credit
Members of the PGA of America may earn one credit per hour of participation. PGA member identification numbers will be required.
Education
The 2008 conference program features experts from around the country, making it the most comprehensive educational program available. More than 100 hours of educational sessions will meet the needs of all professionals.
Leading turfgrass faculty, researchers and extension agents from The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center (OARDC), Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) and universities from around the country comprise this outstanding educational program.
Workshops and seminars geared specifically to maintaining golf courses, athletic fields, residential lawns, commercial grounds, sod production, landscaping and more were developed in conjunction with the Ohio Lawn Care Association, Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association, Ohio Sod Producers Association and Club Managers Association of America.
Choose from a variety of workshops, panel discussions and seminars to expand your knowledge while earning valuable continuing education credits.
Sessions are arranged in the following educational tracks:
Monday, December 8-Preconference Workshops
- Golf Workshop-Sponsored by Central Ohio GCSA Chapter (Workshop 1)
- Rainbird Irrigation University (Workshop 2)
- Pesticide University-golf, sports and lawn care (Workshop 3)
- Turfgrass Fertilizers & Cost Perspectives (Workshop 4)
- Sports Turf Workshop (Workshop 5)
Tuesday, December 9
- Ohio Golf Summit
- Golf Turf Management
- Turf & Ornamental Pest Management
- Lawn Care Business Management-Sponsored by the Ohio Lawn Care Association
- Sports Turf Management-Sponsored by the Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association
- Organic Landscaping
- Irrigation for Lawn & Landscape
Wednesday, December 10
- Golf Turf Management
- Sports Turf Management-Sponsored by the Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association
- Lawn & Grounds Management
- Golf Course Owners/General Managers-Sponsored by Club Managers Association-Ohio Chapters
- USGA Regional Conference
- Environmental Issues-sustainable turf and landscapes
- Sod Production-Sponsored by the Ohio Sod Producers Association
- Hispanic Turf Management Workshop (en Español)
Thursday, December 11
- Golf Course Maintenance on a Tight Budget
- Golf Turf Management
- Lawn & Grounds (Turf)
- Lawn & Grounds-Going Green
- Sports Turf Management-Sponsored by Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association
- Mechanics Workshop
- Assistants/Technicians Workshop
Ohio Golf Summit-Impacting the Game of Golf (New!)
Play Golf Ohio is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Ohio Golf Summit will be held in conjunction with this year’s Ohio Turfgrass Conference. This program is a critical conference for the future and growth of golf in Ohio. Highlights of the 2008 Summit will be an Ohio Economic Impact study review, how to enhance the working relationship between golf’s allied associations and facilities in the state of Ohio, multiple presentations by golf’s industry leaders, and how to generate results and the ideas to positively impact the game of golf in Ohio. Lunch is included.
USGA Regional Conference
USGA will hold its regional conference in conjunction with this year’s Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show.
Topics include:
- Budget to maintain
- Are you communicating for success in today’s world
- The latest in equipment standards and testing
- The Arnold Palmer Centre for Golf History—a virtual tour
- Affirming firmness
- USGA Online University-an education tool for all golfers
New Educational Tracks (New!)
To add even more diversity to the OTF Conference program, the following new workshops and tracks of education have been added:
- Pesticide University (returns after a three-year absence)
- Rainbird Irrigation University
- Turfgrass Fertilizers and Cost Perspectives
- Organic Landscaping
- Golf Course Owners/General Managers
- USGA Regional Conference
- Environmental Issues (Sustainable Turf & Landscapes)
- Lawn & Grounds—”Going Green”
Trade Show
The 2008 OTF show will feature more than 200 leading suppliers of turfgrass products and services. This is a great chance to evaluate and make purchases for the coming season, visit current suppliers and network with fellow green industry professionals.
Wednesday will be Show Specials day. Exhibitors are encouraged to offer special promotions and prices available only on Wednesday, December 10 at the show.
Keynote Speech and Awards Presentation
Tuesday, December 9, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Dr. Al Turgeon, Penn State University: “Implications of Global Warming: Cultural Relief and Future Management Strategies.” Dr. Turgeon is considered one of the top world leaders in turfgrass science, outreach education and research.
The OTF Professional of the Year, Professional Excellence Awards and Annual Scholarships will be presented immediately preceding the keynote speech.
Welcome Reception
Tuesday, December 9, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Plan now to join us on the trade show floor Tuesday for an evening of networking, fun and the chance to win great prizes. Food and beverages compliments of OTF.
Breakfast Networking Round Tables
Wednesday, December 10, 7- 8 a.m.
Sponsored by UAP Professional Products
Round-table discussions feature the best in networking and education. Learn from other industry leaders and share your knowledge, methods and procedures with your peers on a variety of topics. Enjoy a continental breakfast buffet while exchanging ideas with your colleagues from around the region. There is no charge to attend, but you must register in advance. Space is limited, so register early to reserve your seat.
Live Auction
Wednesday, December 10, 5 – 7 p.m.
A wide variety of items will be up for bid in the live auction. Don’t miss this chance for great bargains while supporting turfgrass research. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust (OTRT), the charitable arm of OTF dedicated exclusively to raising tax-exempt funds for turfgrass research.
The auction will take place after the trade show closes on Wednesday. Entertainment, food and beverages will make this a fun-filled event for all! To support turfgrass research by donating to the auction, contact the OTF office at 888-683-3445.
Turfgrass Alumni Social Gathering
New this year will be a social gathering for the alumni of turfgrass schools from around Ohio. Plan now to join the fun and visit with old classmates, Wednesday, December 10, 7-10:30 p.m. at Barley’s Brewing Company (across from the convention center).
PLANET Certification Testing
Thursday, December 11, 12 p.m.
PLANET (The Professional LandCare Network) now has four exams they can offer to Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show attendees. If you want to earn a credential, select one of these programs:
- CTP-CSL-certified turfgrass professional
Cool-season lawns—covers essential knowledge needed by a turfgrass manager in northern growing zones. - COLP-certified ornamental landscape professional
Emphasizes tree and shrub care maintenance procedures with a concentration on landscape trees and ornamental woody plant physiology, health care management and establishment. - CLP-certified landscape professional
A program for business owners or managers. - CLT-I-certified landscape technician
Interior—A program for interior technicians who service accounts.
Ohio Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License Testing
Thursday, December 11, 1 – 3 p.m.
Testing for ODA Pesticide Applicators Licensing in all categories will be available Thursday afternoon of the conference. If you are planning to take the test, you need to schedule with the ODA by Calling 800-282-1955 or schedule online at www.ohioagriculture.gov. Select Regulatory Programs, then Schedule an Exam. You must bring a photo ID with you to the testing. There is no fee for the testing.
Student Turf Bowl
Returning this year is the Collegiate Turf Bowl Championship. This friendly competition of turf knowledge between Ohio’s two-year colleges and technical institutes will allow state bragging rights for the winning school for the entire year. Competition will be based on tests that cover fundamental turfgrass information from plant identification to water management. Participating schools include: Owens Community College, Cincinnati State, Clark State, Columbus State and OSU/ATI.
Annual Meetings
The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, Ohio Lawn Care Association, Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association and Ohio Sod Producers Association will hold their 2008 annual meetings at OTF. If you are a member of these associations or have interest in learning more about each group, attending their annual meetings is a great place to start.
2008 Conference & Show Schedule
Monday, December 8
- 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration Open
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Golf Workshop (Workshop 1)
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Preconference Workshops (Workshops 2-5)
Tuesday, December 9
- 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Registration Open
- 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Workshops and Seminars
- 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. OLCA Annual Meeting & Lunch
- 3 – 4:30 p.m. Keynote & Awards Presentation
- 4:30 – 7 p.m. Welcome Reception (Trade Show Floor)
Wednesday, December 10
- 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration Open
- 7 – 8 a.m. Breakfast Roundtables
- 7 – 9 a.m. Morning with the USGA
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Workshops and Seminars
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Trade Show Open
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. OTF Past Presidents Luncheon
- 12 – 1:30 p.m. OSPA Annual Meeting & Lunch
- 12:30 – 1 p.m. OTF Annual Meeting
- 5 – 7 p.m. Live Auction
- 7 – 9 p.m. Evening Workshop
Thursday, December 11
- 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration Open
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Trade Show Open
- 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Seminars
- 8 – 11 a.m. Mechanics Workshop
- 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. OSTMA Annual Meeting & Lunch
- 12 p.m. PLANET Certification Testing
- 1 – 3 p.m. ODA Testing
