SportsField Management July 2021 | Page 46

STMA IN ACTION events and activities to help you expand your education and improve as a sports field manager professionally and personally . They have made sure there is something for everyone , so don ’ t miss out . Those involved in planning the event include :
Conference Education Committee : Chair – Adam Thoms , Ph . D .; James Bergdoll , CSFM ; James Brosnan , Ph . D .; Jason Campbell ; Jason Craft , CSFM ; Ryan DeMay , CSFM ; Ronald Dobosz ; Wes Ganobcik ; Thomas Goyne ; Gerald Henry , Ph . D .; Chris Hohnstrater , CSFM ; Bryan Hopkins , Ph . D .; Joe Kovolyan , CSFM ; Gregg Munshaw , Ph . D .; Bradley Park ; Sun Roesslein , CSFM ; Craig Sampsell , CSFM ; John Sorochan , Ph . D .; Clint Steele , CSFM ; Chase Straw , Ph . D .; Peter Thibeault , CSFM ; Alan Wilson , CSFM ; and Keith Winter .
Commercial Advisory Committee : Chair – Jeremy Bohonko ; Co-chair – Paula Sliefert ; Chris Ball , CSFM ; Chris Bell ; Turner Revels ; Jim Surrell ; Erin Wilder ; and Chris Welborn .
Conference Tours Committee : Co-Chairs – Alpha Jones , CSFM and Clark Cox , CSFM ; Mark Bajno , CSFM ; Chris Ball , CSFM ; James Bergdoll , CSFM ; Danny Losito ; John Mascaro ; Michael Peters ; Sun Roesslein , CSFM ; Jeff Sheehan , CSFM ; and Troy Von Holdt , CSE .
SAFE Golf : Chair – Steve Wightman .
Chapter Officer Training Session : Chair – Clark Cox , CSFM ; Bill Byron ; Kevin Lebanik ; Dan Leonard , CSFM ; Don Savard , CSFM ; Bruce Suddeth , CSFM ; Michael Tarantino , CSFM ; and Lee Van Meeteren .
Student Challenge : Chair – Sarah Martin , CSFM ; Matt Anderson , CSFM ; James Bergdoll , CSFM ; Leah Brilman , Ph . D .; Tanner Delvalle ; Samuel Doak ; Jeffrey Fowler ; Stephen Lord , CSFM ; Mark Moran , CSFM ; Gregg Munshaw , Ph . D .; Steven Ries ; Sun Roesslein , CSFM ; Craig Sampsell , CSFM ; and Chrissie Segars , Ph . D .
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR BOSS
Adapt the following letter to support your attendance at the STMA Conference in 2022 . To customize it , review the education sessions on page 43 and add any specific sessions that you plan to attend that would help you and your facility solve a problem , and help your employer understand why it is important to allocate the funding to send you .
Dear [ Employer ], Unbelievably , it has been 18 months since I have had the opportunity to truly engage with my peers in-person and learn more about how to advance our field management practices .
The Sports Turf Managers Association ( STMA ), my professional association for the past ( XX ) years is holding its annual educational conference Jan . 17 – 20 , 2022 in person in Savannah , Georgia . This year ’ s conference will offer nine educational tracks , 45 speakers and 39 educational events . The conference will also provide four weeks of virtual continuing education post-conference for all attendees to continue the learning .
Attending STMA in-person will provide invaluable information as athletic events are fully scheduled on our fields . In addition to the opportunity for my personal development , the conference education will provide me with new techniques , turfgrass research findings and technology to save time and money while providing safer field surfaces .
A key feature of the conference is networking . I learn so much from my peers from around the country and the world . The conference offers many events where I can connect with peers – practitioners and academics – to ask questions and hear solutions that have worked for them . The exposition provides tremendous access to the commercial companies that serve our industry . Being able to see all the products and services in one place is a huge time-saver and allows for better decision making .
The cost to attend is far less than the value incurred . Several years ago , the ROI was documented at 1,375 percent . The direct costs include registration , $ 375 ; airfare , $ 500 ; three nights hotel , $ 600 plus tax ; and a few meals , because the STMA provides most meals . For this , I will gain the equivalent education valued in the thousands of dollars , based on standard professional education costs , and I will receive 1.5 CEUs .
I will be providing the conference brochure with a link to all the educational sessions and events as soon as it is available for your approval to attend . Please let me know if you have additional questions .
Innovative Awards : Chair – Dan Bergstrom , CSFM ; Ryan Bjorn ; Scott Dobbins , CSFM ; Edward Hall , CSFM ; Maritza Martinez ; and Leanne Nadwidny . SFM
Thank you for your consideration , [ INSERT YOUR CONTACT INFO ] sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2021 | SportsField Management
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