Finding better footing in Florida

Attendance for the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando was up 69 percent over the 2022 event in San Diego, according to the GCSAA.

Total attendance was 11,000 vs. 6,500 in-person attendance in 2022 and comparable with the 11,700 who attended the last pre-pandemic event held in Orlando in 2020. A total of 6,300 seminar seats were filled, which was up 70 percent over 2021, and was the highest number since 2008. In addition to education for superintendents, the event also included specialized education for assistant superintendents, equipment managers, students and more.

The trade show covered nearly 250,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center and hosted nearly 450 exhibitors.

The week began with the GCSAA Golf Championships presented by Toro. The event was sold-out and featured the launch of the Toro Par-3 shoot-out along with formats offering golfers an opportunity to have fun, meet new people, renew old friendships and play in various flighted competitions. Dylan Foster, assistant superintendent at Verandah Golf Club in Fort Myers, Florida, was the winner of the 2023 GCSAA National Championship

The conference began Monday with the launch of the GCSAA Interactive Facility Tours and ended with a Welcome Reception, presented in partnership with Syngenta, at Aquatica Beach. Tuesday featured a continuation of education in the classroom and on the golf course as part of the GCSAA Interactive Facility Learning Tours, with the day capping off with the announcement of an MOU between GCSAA and The Warrior Alliance.

Wednesday started with the Sunrise Celebration, presented in partnership with Syngenta, that included John Newton, CGCS Retired, receiving the GCSAA’s Col. John Morley Award. The opening of the trade show followed, featuring the launch of the Interactive Grass Learning Stage built through a collaboration of the GCBAA, GCSAA, USGA and ASGCA. Wednesday also featured the 2023 GCSAA Turf Bowl, presented in partnership with John Deere. Team No. 11 from Penn State University claimed the title.

Thursday included the launch of GCSAA Auction $Bucks, enabling attendees to earn points used to bid on items in a live auction at the GCSAA Send-Off Celebration, presented in partnership with John Deere. The highlight of the Send-Off Celebration was the presentation of the GCSAA Old Tom Morris Award to Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops.

GCSAA will continue to offer conference learning with a two-day virtual event of new education offerings for everyone at the golf facility March 14 and 16, 2023.

The 2024 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Phoenix Convention Center.