Are they really collaborating?

Harrogate, England, and London are separated by 210 driving miles. Another 4,580 nautical miles separate London from Phoenix. Daytona Beach is 3,727 nautical miles from London. Daytona Beach is another 1,606 nautical miles from Phoenix . Flying from Phoenix back to Florida, Orlando specifically, requires traveling 1,606 more nautical miles .

Everything above assumes somebody finds — and can afford — direct flights.

If miles and maps aren’t your thing, study this early 2024 calendar:

• BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, Jan. 23-25, Harrogate, England
• Sports Field Managers Association Conference and Exhibition, Jan. 22-25, Daytona Beach
• GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Jan. 29-Feb. 1, Phoenix
• Turfgrass Producers International Education Conference and Field Day, Feb. 4-8, Orlando

Somehow a few companies found a way to support all four events. These companies deserve more than a “thanks.” They deserve better from the associations they play huge roles in supporting.

For all the chatter, press releases and social media postings about partnerships, alliances and collaborations, the organizations responsible for leading the turfgrass industry are myopic when it comes to their revenue-generating meetups. Never mind they are all seeking financial investments from the same corporate pot. Fortunately, that pot has increased the past four years, thanks to record U.S. golf play.

The turfgrass industry is cyclical. The corporate pot will eventually contract. And then what?

Associations exist to serve their members and the industry has some wonderful groups dedicated to promoting member-oriented efforts and initiatives. But modern associations can’t optimally function without corporate support. Turfgrass associations must engage many of the same companies to fund their programming, staffing and advocacy. By not scattering significant turfgrass industry events over multiple months, associations are creating expensive and exhaustive scenarios for midsize and small companies. Family plans were shuffled or delayed in late January and early February. Office productivity was lost.

Event planning represents a tough — and big — business. Schedules must be set years in advance. Everything appears seamless on the show floor. Behind the scenes, dozens of dedicated employees are sweating, knowing the viability of their association hinges on the attendee and exhibitor experience. Forcing exhibitors to be in multiple places with little recovery time threatens their experience.

Nothing is likely to change in the next few years. Securing quality venues requires advance booking. At least six months are implausible for national/international events because of the immense workloads facing superintendents, sports field managers and turf producers during peak-demand periods. The work calendar leaves October, November, December, January, February and March as event options.

Creating a cushion between events means association leaders must proactively communicate with each other. Conversations about who’s holding events when and where in 2028, 2029 and 2030 should already be occurring. A consensus about what’s best for members and exhibitors must be reached. The brightest leaders will grab the phone or craft emails to fellow association leaders. Waiting for somebody else to make the first call or a concession doesn’t provide effective solutions.

Many of us consider what we do and the people we serve as the center of the working world. That mentality protects us and our stakeholders. It also can make it tougher for others to do their jobs or support our efforts. A few groups might have to surrender a traditional date in the spirit of collaboration.

The GCSAA, BIGGA, SFMA and TPI are interconnected. Their members are trying to produce and maintain the highest quality turfgrass within the means of their allocated resources. If enough people comprehend the value of high-quality turfgrass, corporations will find and support our industry. Associations will flourish, thus extending the tradition of tremendous advocacy and programming.

Unfortunately, it’s not all bling, all the time for the turfgrass industry. Economies collapse and recreational habits change. Will companies be able to justify three straight weeks of jet-setting, entertaining, networking and supporting interconnected efforts in 2029 like they did in 2024?

Now is the time to talk it out.