Every January, thousands of sports field management professionals gather with energy, optimism and open minds at the national SFMA Conference. It’s a reset button; it’s a breath of fresh air; it’s where we fill up on education, connect with vendors, and talk face-to-face with the people who “get” what we do every day.
But here we are now — back in the trenches. It’s busy season. Grass is growing, budgets are tightening, and the urgency of the field has returned in full force. And if we’re not careful, that powerful post-conference momentum fades fast.
The truth is, staying involved in this profession can’t be a once-a-year thing. If we want to elevate ourselves and the people we lead, we’ve got to carry that conference energy forward on purpose.
It’s easy to treat the national conference like the one big event for our professional growth. But that’s like doing one workout in January and expecting results in September. Momentum comes from movement – from doing a little more than what’s required. So, what are you doing to stay involved now that the conference buzz has worn off?
We’ve got options. Local chapters are hosting events, workshops and meetings year-round. Some are more accessible and more affordable than national events — and relevant to your region and climate. Getting involved at the chapter level isn’t just a resume builder; it’s where your voice can carry the most impact.
Nationally, we also need more voices on committees, in conversations and in content creation. This association isn’t something we attend — it’s something we build together.
Busy season is real; but if continuing education only happens when things slow down, we’ll never grow. We must shift the mindset of “I don’t have time” to “I’ll use what time I have.”
So, what does learning look like when you’re maxed out?
- Microlearning: 10- to 15-minute videos or articles you can tackle during lunch.
- Chapter webinars or Zoom roundtables.
- On-the-job learning — use your daily challenges as case studies for growth.
What were your takeaways from this year’s conference? Which ideas did you bring back with you? And which ones have you put into practice?
Maybe you attended a COTS session and got a clearer view of communication styles. Have you used that to manage your team differently?
Maybe you connected with a new exhibitor. Did you follow up? Test their product? Or did their business card go in the swag bag with everything else?
Good information without application is just entertainment. So take a minute and ask yourself what you have done with the conference experience — not just what you learned.
For managers, this is the time of year when planning for next season starts. Are you budgeting for next year’s conference? Is it in your team’s plan to attend a chapter field day or leadership training? Or are we going to let travel and training get cut again because we didn’t advocate for it early enough? We say we want our people to be better, but if we’re not building development into the budget, we’re not serious about it. Start the conversation now. Frame it around ROI, safety, retention, morale or whatever makes the case in your setting.
And let’s not forget to ask the people around us: What would help you grow this year? That question might just unlock your team’s next level.
Whether it’s a national conference or a chapter event, your voice matters. So what worked well this year, and what fell short? If you’ve never attended a conference, what’s stopping you? And if you’re a veteran, what would you tell a first timer?
This association grows when we share honestly — both the praise and the pressure points. If something wasn’t helpful, speak up. If something lit a fire in you, share it with someone else.
Now the big question: Are you a member? If not, why not? Is it cost? Relevance? Access?
If you are a member, thank you. But what are you doing with that membership? Are you a consumer of this profession or a contributor?
We’re more than grass. We’re leaders, learners, mentors and innovators. Let’s make sure we’re showing it — every season, not just conference season.
Alpha Jones, CSFM, is athletic field specialist at Duke University. He also serves on the SFMA Board of Directors as President-Elect. He can be reached via email at morthangrass@gmail.com