BALTIMORE, MD—In an effort to help the green industry meet the surging demand for sustainable grounds maintenance practices, the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has announced its faculty and curriculum for the 2008 School of Grounds Management. The event is scheduled to take place October 22-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
“This year’s education program will provide grounds management professionals with the knowledge to successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the push for sustainability,” said PGMS Education Chair Monica Higgins, CGM.
She said courses will cover the following topics related to green practices: sustainable maintenance of perennials and shrubs, using LEED guidelines to manage landscapes, managing green roofs, preserving trees and the latest information from the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Even with a heavy emphasis on green practices, the School of Grounds Management will also provide attendees with an outstanding multidisciplinary education schedule including the following course titles: Taking the Mystery Out of Managing and Motivating Employees,
Leading Change from the Front Line, Project Management for “Accidental” Project Managers,
Building a Customer Service Culture, and Effective Management of Snow and Ice Sidewalk Crews.
“With a faculty of green industry experts and a wide offering of courses ranging from LEED and conservation issues to management to horticulture, the School offers grounds superintendents and landscaping professionals a great opportunity to further their professional development,” said Higgins.
There will also be plenty of interactive education opportunities in the field with behind-the-scenes tours of the grounds operations of Louisville’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.
The School is targeted at in-house grounds managers overseeing an assortment of facilities ranging from universities to commercial facilities to municipalities, but the range of topics covered makes it relevant to all green industry professionals. In addition to this dynamic curriculum, tuition also includes free admission to the GIE+EXPO, providing attendees with full access to exhibits from 650 green industry suppliers as well as a 20-acre outdoor demonstration area adjacent to the indoor exhibit. The program will also offer countless networking opportunities with over 25,000 industry professionals in attendance as well as an opportunity to relax and enjoy free concerts featuring performances by 38 Special and Lonestar.
Considered the premiere educational event for grounds management professionals, this year’s School of Grounds Management also includes Educational Breakfast programs, and other social and educational opportunities.