The STMA Conference is Coming to Savannah in January
STMA IN ACTION
The STMA Conference is Coming to Savannah in January
Now is the time to advocate to your boss to attend
The 2022 STMA Conference education program is guaranteed to highlight new strategies and technology in the industry that can help you successfully manage your fields , facilities and staff . From Jan . 17-20 , 2022 in Savannah , Ga ., the in-person event will feature more than 45 speakers leading 39 education sessions . The conference continues virtually every Tuesday for four weeks post-conference from Jan . 25 through Feb . 15 . Each week , two sessions will cover topics including common calculations used to manage fields , new technologies such as precision water and pest management , and synthetic turf management . These post-conference sessions are included in the conference registration price .
The conference education and events are nearly all finalized , so start laying the groundwork now with your employer to attend . In the sidebar to this article ( on page 45 ), STMA has provided an example communication to customize for your boss . Follow up with your boss and provide the full conference brochure , which will be available in early September .
EDUCATION Program , Speakers and Student Challenge The conference kicks off with the General Session on Tuesday morning . Labor shortages in the industry are truly challenging field managers to do more with less . Many facilities are working hard to maintain normal standards with less than half of a typical workforce . The General Session will discuss investing in the next generation of sports field managers , finding qualified employees , and utilizing unique strategies to improve efficiency .
The education continues Tuesday through Thursday with nine different tracks on turfgrass and soil management , environmental and pest management , professional development , construction , baseball , facility management , water , synthetic , and industry developments . Back this year is the highly attended New Trends and Technology in Sports Fields , where 10 commercial companies each have five minutes to present about the latest innovative product or service they offer . Other highly anticipated sessions include :
Chemical ( e . g . Glyphosate ) Exposure for Employees and Players : Health Concern ?
Back to Basics : Troubleshooting Your Irrigation System ’ s Electronics
Research , Trial , and Error ; Selecting Warm-season Grasses for Stadiums
Performance Testing and Player Safety : What the Research Tells Us
Addressing Public Concerns with Synthetic Pesticide Use in Turfgrass
Applying Business Lessons to Your Sports Field Operations
Hiring ... Assistants ... and Interns ... and Seasonal Crew . Oh My !
The in-person education concludes Thursday afternoon with repeats of the most popular sessions as voted on by STMA members . Just in case you missed a session during the week , you can catch up Thursday afternoon . All conference attendees will receive a link post-conference to all the education sessions as part of their registration , thanks to sponsor STEC .
The STMA Student Collegiate Challenge is back for the 2022 Conference . The event is presented in partnership with the SAFE Foundation , founding partner Hunter Industries , and supporting sponsor Ewing . Each year , students from 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities throughout the country compete in an exam that challenges knowledge in the sports field industry . The winning teams receive a cash award , a plaque , and medallions for each team member . The prize money benefits the institution ’ s turfgrass science program , and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports field management . The 2022 event will take place Wed ., Jan . 19 from 2-4:30 pm . The competition brings together more than 30 teams from collegiate turfgrass programs across the United States to compete on a multiple-choice exam , live identification , and a hands-on activity . STMA looks forward to seeing young professionals showcase their knowledge and skills through this opportunity .
EVENTS Field Rebuild , SAFE Golf , Seminar on Wheels , Chapter Office Training , Welcome Reception , Women ’ s Forum , Trade Show , Annual Meeting and Keynote , Awards Banquet For the third year , STMA is partnering with Project Evergreen to renovate a field in need in Savannah . The sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2021 | SportsField Management
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