The Irrigation Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce that The Toro Company (Riverside, Calif.) has upgraded to the highest level of IA membership: platinum.
“Under the leadership of Phil Burkart [IA past president and Toro vice president/general manager], the entire Toro irrigation team has continued to make outstanding contributions to our organization,” said IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE. “We are extremely pleased to welcome them to IA’s most elite group of member sponsors.”
“Toro has supported the association in various ways throughout the years — with monetary donations from our Toro Foundation, volunteer service on IA boards and committees, event sponsorship and more,” said Peter Moeller, director of marketing for Toro. “In this, Toro’s 100th anniversary year, we felt that upgrading our membership to platinum will ensure customers recognize our steadfast commitment to the industry and to the major irrigation authority.”
Toro is one of the world’s leading providers of turf, landscape, irrigation and construction products, as well as outdoor landscape lighting. Since its founding in 1914, the company has expanded its network of professional distributors, dealers and retailers to over 90 countries. Toro’s product lines help increase productivity and sustainability for golf courses, homeowners, professional contractors, agricultural growers, construction and rental companies, government and educational institutions, sport complexes and historic sites.
Toro’s investment will help the association implement its revised strategic plan, adopted by the IA Board of Directors in September 2013. The new plan focuses on changing the public perception of irrigation by developing standards and regulations and educating frontline irrigation professionals.
Platinum membership also provides expanded benefits, including increased industry exposure through IA’s media channels and exclusive marketing and advertising discounts. In addition to regular membership, IA offers four premium categories for companies: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. All member dues help fund the association’s core strategic initiatives. Toro joins Ewing Irrigation Products (Phoenix) and Hunter Industries (San Marcos, Calif.) as an IA platinum member and becomes the second irrigation manufacturer to join this exclusive membership tier.
IA membership gives companies and individuals competitive business advantages, access to a national network of industry experts and a powerful voice in advocacy efforts. For more information about membership, contact IA Business Development Director Scott Hersh at scotthersh@irrigation.org.