The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) isexcited to be returning to an in-person conference format this year in the beautiful city of Savannah, Ga. (Jan. 17-20, 2022). Although STMA was grateful to deliver a virtual conference in 2021, the association is looking forward to reconnecting in person after two long years of being on the other side of a computer screen. Anticipation is high for the vibrancy in the room during events and education, exchanging ideas in networking sessions, and viewing new products in person on the trade show floor. STMA hopes to see each of you in 2022 in Savannah!
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
(For detailed descriptions of each session, visit STMA.org/conference)
Mon., Jan. 17
6:30 – 8 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Golf – A fundraiser for the SAFE Foundation, the tournament is being held at Crosswinds Golf Club. Transportation and lunch provided
1 – 5 p.m. Volunteer Field Rebuild – Mother Mathilde Beasley Park. Transportation provided.
1:15 – 5 p.m. Pre-Conference Education
6 – 9 p.m. Bowling – A fundraiser for the SAFE Foundation being held at Savannah Lanes. Transportation and dinner included.
Tues., Jan. 18
6:30 – 8 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8 – 9:30 a.m. General Session Panel – Labor of Love: Strategies for Overcoming the Labor Shortage.
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
10:45 – 11 a.m. BREAK
11 a.m. – Noon Concurrent Educational Sessions
Noon – 2 p.m. BREAK
Women’s Forum & Lunch
2 – 3:15 p.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30 – 5 p.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
5 – 6 p.m. Chapter Officers Training
6 – 7 p.m. First Timers/International/CSFM Reception. Appropriate ribbon required to attend.
7 – 7:30 p.m. Live Auction
7:30 – 10 p.m. Welcome Reception
Wed., Jan. 19
6:30 – 8 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8 – 9:15 a.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
9:15 -9:30 a.m. BREAK
9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
11 am – 1:15 p.m. Keynote – Inspired Leadership in Challenging Times. Craig Whelden; Annual Meeting and Lunch
1:30 – 6:30 p.m. Trade Show & Reception in the Expo Hall
2 – 4:30 p.m. Student Challenge
Thurs., Jan. 20
6:30 – 8 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8 – 10 a.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Trade Show & Lunch in the Expo Hall
1:15 – 5:15 p.m. Seminar on Wheels
1:30 – 3 p.m. Concurrent Educational Sessions
6:30 – 10 p.m. Reception, Awards Banquet
REGISTRATION HOURS
Mon., Jan. 17 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 18 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 19 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 20 7 – 11 a.m.
EXHIBITION HOURS
Wed., Jan. 19 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Thurs., Jan. 20 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
1 Resort Drive,
Savannah, GA 31421
Ph. 912-201-2000
$199 per night
Hyatt Regency Savannah
2 W. Bay Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401
Phone: 912-238-1234; concierge@hyatt.com
$185 per night
ATTIRE
Business casual (slacks and a collared shirt for men and comparable attire for women) is the preferred attire. Coat and tie are requested for the Awards Banquet. Cutoffs, jeans, t-shirts and ball caps are never appropriate.
REGISTRATION FEES
Registration is online only; visit STMA.org to register.
STMA National Member (received by):
12/15/21 $375; 2nd member from the same facility $325
12/16/21 – 1/15/22 $450; 2nd member from the same facility $400
1/16/22 Onsite $525; 2nd member from the same facility $475
NEW 1st Time Members: FREE
Student Challenge Participants: FREE
Student Members not participating in the Challenge: $100
One Day Packages: (Tues., Wed., Thurs.) $150 per day
Trade Show Only Pass: $50
To Exhibit, call 866-847-8623.
For all other questions, call 800-323-3875.
To register, visit STMA.org
EDUCATION TRACKS
Professional Development
Monday, January 17
1:55 – 2:25 p.m.
Navigating the Transition from Undergraduate to Graduate Student
Thomas Gould – Iowa State University
Tuesday, January 18
8 – 9:30 a.m.
General Session – Labor of Love: Strategies for Overcoming the Labor Shortage
Moderator: Keith Winter – Fort Wayne TinCaps. Panelists: John Sorochan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee; Andrew Miller, Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program; Tyler Bloom, Tyler Bloom Consulting; and Abby McNeal, CSFM CPRP, CABI, Denver Parks and Recreation
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Lost, On My Way to Becoming a Sports Field Manager
Alpha Jones, CSFM, Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Wednesday, January 19
8 – 9:15 a.m.
Applying Business Lessons to your Sports Field Operations
Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE and Matt Anderson, CSFM, CSE, The Toro Company
9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Hiring… Assistants…and Interns…and Seasonal Crew. Oh my!
Keith Winter, Fort Wayne TinCaps
9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Challenges and Opportunities of Sports Field Programs in Secondary Schools
Andrew Miller, Brentsville Turfgrass Management Program; Russ Bayer, South Forsyth High School Turf Management Program; and Mike Goatley, Jr., Ph.D., Virginia Tech
11 a.m. – Noon
Keynote – Inspired Leadership in Challenging Times
Craig Whelden – Major General, U.S. Army (retired)
Baseball
Tuesday, January 18
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Baseball Field Expectations/Maintenance on a Tight Budget
Andy Ommen, McLean County PONY Baseball/Professional Outdoor Solutions
11 a.m. – Noon
Novel Lab Tests for Baseball & Softball Infield Mixes
Evan Mascitti – Penn State University
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Paul & Luke’s Excellent Adventure – Infield Soils Around the U.S.
Luke Yoder, DuraEdge Products and Paul Zwaska, Beacon Athletics/DuraEdge
Thursday, January 20
1:30 – 3 p.m.
Baseball Field Expectations/Maintenance on a Tight Budget
Andy Ommen – McLean County PONY Baseball/Professional Outdoor Solutions
Turfgrass and Soil Management
Tuesday, January 18
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Mowing: Getting Beyond the 1/3 Rule
Matt Anderson, CSFM, CSE and Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE, The Toro Company
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Sports Field Grass Selection to Reduce Inputs
Gregg Munshaw, Ph.D., Pratum Seed Co.
2 – 3:15 p.m.
What’s the Deal with Soil Health and How Can I Use it in My Sports Facility?
Beth Guertal, Ph.D., Auburn University
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Research, Trial, and Error; Selecting Warm Season Grasses for Stadiums
John Sorochan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Understanding Plant and Soil Interactions
Adam Thoms, Ph.D. and Nick Christians, Ph.D., Iowa State University
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Is There a Best Grass for the Transition Zone?
Mike Goatley, Jr., Ph.D., Virginia Tech; Jesse Pritchard, CSFM, University of Virginia Department of Athletics; and Josh McPherson, CSFM, University of Missouri – Athletics
Wednesday, January 19
8 – 9:15 a.m.
Biostimulants: What Are They and How to Use Them?
Bryan Hopkins, Ph.D., Brigham Young University
8 – 9:15 a.m.
What Do We Know About Humic Acid Fertilizers?
Adam Thoms, Ph.D. and AJ Lindsey, Ph.D., Iowa State University
9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Restoring Performance: Getting at the ROOT of the Problem
Gerald Henry, Ph.D., University of Georgia
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Breeding Zoysiagrass for Sports Fields
Chrissie Segars, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Ambika Chandra, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Thursday, January 20
1:30 – 3 p.m.
Mowing: Getting Beyond the 1/3 Rule
Matt Anderson, CSFM, CSE and Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE, The Toro Company
Construction
Tuesday, January 18
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Sports Field Design, Construction, Renovation: What Works, What Doesn’t
James Puhalla. Retired
Thursday, January 20
8 – 10 a.m.
Designing/Building a Sports Field with Grounds Managers in Mind
Fred Stringfellow, CAE, American Sports Builders Association; Kirk Grego, CFB, Mid-America Golf & Landscape; Allen Verdin, CFB, The Motz Group; and Craig Honkomp, PE, PS, LEED AP, Sportworks Design
1:30 – 3 p.m.
Sports Field Design, Construction, Renovation: What Works, What Doesn’t
James Puhalla, Retired
Environmental and Pest Management
Monday, January 17
1:15-1:45 p.m.
Influence of Common Turfgrass Weeds on Field Playability and Player Safety
Erick Begitschke, University of Georgia
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
Native Weed Species as Pollinator Habitat
Chih Julie Wang, University of Georgia
Tuesday, January 18
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Chemicals (e.g., Glyphosate) Exposure for Employees and Players: Health Concern?
Bryan Hopkins, Ph.D., Brigham Young University
11 a.m. – Noon
Spraying Efficacy for the Sports Field Manager
Don Frantz, PBI-Gordon Corporation
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Living with a Legislated Pesticide Ban: Perception, Inaccuracy and Fact
Victoria Wallace and Jason Henderson, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Addressing Concerns with Synthetic Pesticide Use in Sports Fields
Joseph Roberts, Ph.D., Clemson University and John Inguagiato, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Thursday, January 20
8-10 a.m.
Coast to Coast Integrated Weed Management for Cool Season Turfgrass
Alec Kowalewski, Ph.D., Oregon State University; Matthew Elmore, Ph.D., Rutgers University; Emily Braithwaite, Oregon State University; and Brandon McNally, Rutgers University
Facility Management
Monday, January 17
4-5 p.m.
Painting Panel of Experts
Jody Gill, CSFM, Retired; Josh Lenz, Arizona State University; Greg Namour, World Class Athletic Surfaces; and James Hlavaty, CSFM, Pioneer Athletics
Tuesday, January 18
11 a.m. – Noon
Understanding the Value of STMA’s Best Practices Document
Victoria Wallace, University of Connecticut; Jason Bowers, CSFM, Parks System in Maryland; and Ben Polimer, Town of Weston, Mass.
Wednesday, January 19
9:30 -10:45 a.m.
Save the Date! Month-by-Month Management Plans for Parks and Rec
Gregg Munshaw, Ph.D., Pratum Seed Co. and Brian Winka, CSFM, Advanced Turf Solutions
Water
Monday, January 17
2:35-3:05 p.m.
Water: How Irrigation Practices Affect Sports Field Performance
Tyler Carr, University of Tennessee
Tuesday, January 18
11 a.m. – Noon
Back to Basics: Troubleshooting Your Irrigation System’s Electronics
Brad Jakubowski, CIT, Penn State University
Wednesday, January 19
8 – 9:15 a.m.
Irrigation Troubleshooting Using Sight, Sound, and Smell: Maybe Shovel Too?
Brad Jakubowski, CIT, Penn State University
Thursday, January 20
8-10 a.m.
Let’s Clear Up the Confusion on Wetting Agents and Sports Turfgrass
Michael Fidanza, Ph.D. and Stan Kostka, Ph.D., Penn State University
Industry Developments
Tuesday, January 18
11 a.m. – Noon
New Trends and Technology in Sports Fields
Representatives from STMA commercial companies
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Using Soil Sensor Data to Manage Your Ballfields More Efficiently
Greg Goudeau, Spiio, Inc. and Casey Carrick, CSFM – University of North Carolina Athletics
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Performance Testing and Player Safety: What the Research Tells Us
Gerald Henry, Ph.D., University of Georgia and Chase Straw, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Synthetic
Wednesday, January 19
8 – 9:15 a.m.
Synthetic Field Maintenance: What the Research Shows
Kyley Dickson, Ph.D., The University of Tennessee
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Extend your conference experience with four weeks of virtual education. Two sessions will be featured each Tuesday following STMA’s 2022 Conference. These sessions are available for free to anyone who signs up for a full conference registration.
Week 1 – Tuesday, January 25
Pursuing Infill Depth Perfection in Synthetic Turf Systems
Thomas Shay, PE, Woodard & Curran
Pesticide and Topdressing Calculations – It’s Only Cell Phone Math
Samuel Doak, Retired
Week 2 – Tuesday, February 1
Maps Guide the Way: Mapping Pests for Targeted Applications
David McCall, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
Expert Expectation Management for Sports Field Experts
Ryan DeMay, Field Source Consulting
Week 3 – Tuesday, February 8
Opening Minds to Technology
Mike Hales, CSFM, Brigham Young University
Water Management: Cutting-Edge Tools You May Be Missing
Colin Campbell, Ph.D., METER Group, Inc.; Bryan Hopkins, Ph.D., Brigham Young University; and Neil Hansen, Ph.D., Brigham Young University
Week 4 – Tuesday, February 15
Developing Weed Control Strategies for Your Facility
JimBrosnan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee and Gerald Henry, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Revitalizing Your School District Sports Fields
Paul Cushing, Paul Cushing Sports Turf Agronomic Consulting Services
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Opening General Session – Strategies to Overcome Labor Shortages
Moderated by Keith Winter. Panelists: John Sorochan, Ph.D., Andrew Miller, Tyler Bloom, Abby McNeal, CSFM CPRP, CABI
Kick off the STMA Conference with an interactive discussion among the panelists on the issue of labor shortages within the turfgrass career, and how to overcome these shortages and grow the profession.
Sponsored by Carolina Green Corp.
Noon – 2 p.m.
Women’s Forum
STMA is excited to announce that Kelly Lynch of Pure Seed has been selected to give a motivational talk that will help inspire and lift up women in the turfgrass industry. Kelly is excited to engage, empower and encourage all the women members of the STMA! All women at the conference are invited to attend this facilitated education session during lunch. You must RSVP on the registration form to reserve your spot.
Sponsored by Hunter Industries
5 – 6 p.m.
Chapter Leadership Training
All chapter board members are invited to attend this fast-paced learning session with tips on how to make your chapter more successful and enjoy a short reception.
Chapter Network Sponsored by Hunter Industries and John Deere
6 – 7 p.m.
First-Timers/International Attendees/CSFM reception
All who are new to the STMA Conference, attendees from outside the U.S., and all Certified Sports Field Managers are invited to a special reception. Appropriate ribbon on name badge required for entry.
7 – 7:30 p.m.
SAFE Live Auction
Support the SAFE Foundation by bidding on exclusive sports field management equipment and products, highly desired technology and sports memorabilia.
7:30 – 10 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Enjoy a cruise down the Savannah River, as well as a reception on the lawn of the Westin! Reconnect with old friends and make new ones at this must-attend event. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Drink ticket and champagne toast included.
Sponsored by The Toro Company and Covermaster
Wednesday, Jan. 19
11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Keynote Address/Annual Meeting and Lunch
Speaker: Craig Whelden., Inspired Leadership in Challenging Times
Craig Whelden is a Major General, U.S. Army (retired). Whelden’s leadership journey began as an Eagle Scout at age 14. Thirty years later, he was the youngest General in the United States Army. Combined with another nine years as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the U.S. Marine Corps, he has led thousands of soldiers, sailors, Marines and civilians. In 2011, he was inducted into the Purdue University Tri-Service ROTC Hall of Fame. In March 2019, he published Leadership: The Art of Inspiring People to Be Their Best, winning four national book awards and attaining #1 international bestseller status on Amazon. Whelden is now a Global Fortune 500 Speaker and lives in Bluffton, S.C.
Sponsored by World Class Athletic Surfaces
Thursday, January 20
6:30 – 10 p.m.
Awards Reception and Banquet
Enjoy a reception and then an elegant dinner immediately followed by the awards program, which honors notable contributions to the industry. RSVP is required. Coat and tie and comparable attire for women is requested.
Awards Program Sponsored by Carolina Green Corp, John Deere, Precision Laboratories and World Class Athletic Surfaces
OPTIONAL OFF-SITE EVENTS
Monday, January 17
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Golf Tournament at Crosswinds Golf Club in Savannah.
Sign up for a team or as an individual and join us for a game of golf. Crosswinds Gold Club is an open, parkland style course with a design that is both challenging and fun to all skill levels. First, second and third place winners will receive prizes. Pricing will be $135 per person, with transportation, food and drink ticket included. Rental clubs available for additional cost. Proceeds benefit SAFE’s scholarship, grant and research programs. Pre-registration and additional fees required.
Title Co-Sponsored by Diamond Pro and Tri-Tex Grass
Drinks Sponsored by Carolina Green Corp.
1 – 5 p.m.
Volunteer Field Rebuild
STMA and Project Evergreen are once again teaming up to renovate the Mother Mathilda Park, a Little League field in Savannah, Ga. All members are invited to participate. Transportation, products and materials will be provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
6 – 9 p.m.
Bowling Event at Savannah Lanes
Join your chapter members or other friends and bowl as teams or as an individual. Win prizes and take part in the crazy-fun bowling contests! Cost is $75, and includes transportation and dinner. Proceeds benefit SAFE’s scholarship, grant and research programs. Preregistration and Additional Fees Required.
Thursday, January 20
1:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Seminar On Wheels Tour
Get excited to tour Greyson Stadium, home of the Savannah Bananas. Next, head to Charlie Brooks Park and much more! Pre-registration required to attend.
Sponsored by Bush Turf