INDUSTRY NEWS vendors who traveled to attend , learn and endured the unpredictable March weather . You make the conference worth the months of planning and coordination , and one of the highlights of our year .”
The next Turf Conference will be in March 2026 . Reinders founded the Turf Conference in 1973 to serve as a platform for expert education and to facilitate direct communication between suppliers and customers . It is now the largest independently run turf conference in the Midwest .
Sorochan and Dickson receive UT Chancellor ’ s Innovation Fund Award
University of Tennessee ( UT ) Distinguished Professor John Sorochan , Ph . D ., Turfgrass Science and Management , UT Institute of Agriculture ( UTIA ); and Kyley Dickson , Ph . D ., researcher and co-director , UT Center for Athletic Field Safety , recently had their project selected for UT ’ s inaugural Chancellor ’ s Innovation Fund Award . They will receive $ 50,000 and the support they need to help move their technology from the lab toward the marketplace .
Sorochan and Dickson ’ s project is a testing device called fLEX , which measures the performance and playability of surfaces , typically sports surfaces . The device , which they conceived of together , is portable and can simulate the foot strike of an athlete ranging from 35 to 350 pounds doing a stopping or accelerating motion .
Testing focuses on three areas : the actual surface ( natural grass , synthetic turf , etc .), the footwear , and the athlete ( weight , sport , etc .) The funds awarded to Sorochan and Dickson will primarily be used for continued software and mechanical development of the current beta prototype . Sorochan said that working at UTIA has provided him the freedom to explore creative research ideas . He added that their research and inventions have a realworld impact , contributing to improving the quality of playing surfaces and potentially improving athletes ’ performance and safety .
“ UTIA has been very supportive of our turfgrass research program , and this has allowed us to become recognized as one of the world leaders in all areas for turfgrass research — from weed science to sports turf to basic turfgrass pathology research , to name a few ,” said Sorochan . “ Being a Vol means being a team , and no one person is bigger than the program . The UT turf team works hard to represent as a team what we believe is best for the turfgrass program , department , institute , university , state , citizens and nation .”
The Chancellor ’ s Innovation Fund , which is administered by the Office of Research , Innovation , and Economic Development , is aimed at bolstering east
Tennessee ’ s entrepreneurship pipeline and providing a pathway to commercialize technology for faculty .
“ Translating the discoveries our faculty make into technology that works for people is one of the most visible ways we carry out our mission as a land-grant research university ,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman . “ I am proud of this initiative and the gaps it helps bridge . Without this kind of seed money , many high-tech ideas like these would never make it to the people who need them .”
Recipients were chosen through a rigorous process that included a pitch competition where they were asked to describe the benefits of their technology and how the funding would help propel their ideas to market .
Evaluations of the projects were based on their ability to address an unmet market need , the current state of technology , the proposed technology development plan and the funding ’ s impact on commercialization . UT Research Foundation supported the program by evaluating proposals and coaching participants .
Redexim and Trilo forge agreement
Redexim and Trilo Smart Industries have agreed to make Redexim the global distributor of Trilo blower products . This agreement solidifies the collaboration between the two Dutch turf machinery manufacturers , utilizing their respective strengths .
Trilo Smart Industries will focus its efforts on its specialized trailed vacuum products , while Redexim will enhance its product range by incorporating the high-quality blower products into its range and will take the reins in distributing the Trilo blower range under the Redexim brand .
“ We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Trilo ,” said Curtis Allen , sales manager for Redexim . “ The Trilo range of blowers is renowned for its performance and quality , making it a perfect fit for the Redexim portfolio . With our existing partners catering to customers in golf , sports turf , municipalities and similar sectors , incorporating these products into our range was a logical step forward .”
Christiaan Arends , CEO of Vanmac Group , said , “ We are happy with this agreement as Trilo wants to focus on our well-known trailed vacuum products . This agreement with Redexim gives us full focus and power to keep developing , producing and marketing the best trailed vacuum machines in the world .”
Redexim will assume responsibility for sales , marketing , distribution , and support of both new and existing Trilo blower machines in the market . Trilo blower products will be rebranded as Redexim . Consequently , Trilo will cease offering the blower as a standalone product under its brand . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com May 2024 | SportsField Management
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