Australian Turfgrass Conference Simone Savedra-Staples Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association Project Number: TU09004
TU09004 This report is published by Horticulture Australia Ltd to pass on information concerning horticultural research and development undertaken for the turf industry. The research contained in this report was funded by Horticulture Australia Ltd with the financial support of Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association. All expressions of opinion are not to be regarded as expressing the opinion of Horticulture Australia Ltd or any authority of the Australian Government. The Company and the Australian Government accept no responsibility for any of the opinions or the accuracy of the information contained in this report and readers should rely upon their own enquiries in making decisions concerning their own interests. ISBN 0 7341 2092 3 Published and distributed by: Horticulture Australia Ltd Level 7 179 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 Telephone: (02) 8295 2300 Fax: (02) 8295 2399 Copyright 2009
SUMMARY 25 th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition Hobart, July 2009 Horticulture Australia Limited Final Report TU09004 With the theme of Achieving Par Finding the Balance, the 2009 Australian Turfgrass Conference attracted 278 delegates with an additional 62 participating in the trade exhibition. Our survey results show that 60% of delegates found the three-day education program relevant with 36.4% finding it very relevant. 95% of those surveyed were satisfied with the calibre of speakers and topics. In addition to these educational sessions the conference also included our annual trade show manned by 152 trade industry representatives. This exhibition provided delegates and visitors with the opportunity to discuss products and services available from the 41 companies that exhibited. The welcome reception was attended by 90% of delegates and president s dinner by 48%, giving attendees a forum in which to meet and network in a relaxed, social environment. The conference survey sent out and collected within 3 weeks of the conclusion of the event highlights a very high approval rating for the education component of the conference. The most popular talks being bunker management, health and turf management - finding the balance, Beyond Blue workshop, managing sportfields with warm season grasses and managing plant growth regulators. Speakers, John Neylan, Daryl Sellar, Therese Fitzpatrick, Martyn Black and Peter Toogood were all well received and featured prominently in the feedback we received.via the delegate surveys. The social events were again well received with great attendance at both the Welcome Reception and Presidents Dinner. Increasingly delegates are embracing the themed reception and attendees certainly enjoyed the more informal venue for the dinner. The major change to our schedule was the announcing of awards winners during lunch on the opening day. The aim of this was to ensure that award finalists and winners were given the appropriate recognition for their achievements. This is an idea that I brought back from my study tour last year and has worked well internationally. The change appears to have been a success with 82.5% of delegates enjoying the new format. The award sponsors were very happy with the changes as it gave them an opportunity to showcase the winner of their category. The 25 th Australian Turfgrass Conference and Trade Exhibition was extremely successful. Given the global financial crisis and uncertainty in the turf industry our delegate numbers were down only 10% on budget. This is against a trend of an average drop of 30-40% across the events sector in the past 9 month. It again illustrates that a well balanced conference programme with quality speakers kept to a reasonable price will attract delegates. My thanks to the AGCSA board and staff for their help and support leading up to, and during this conference.
EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS Survey Results The AGCSA has purchased a new online survey tool with which to put together our conference feedback. The tool has been most successful with 64% of delegates who attended the conference participating in the survey. (.pdf attached) Samples of survey feedback: Suggestions on future topics 1. New grass selections. 2. Current Australian research 3. Industry innovations 4. New diseases or pests 5. Relevant overseas research work (UK, NZ, USA) 6. Alternative pesticidal products A Bowling Greenkeepers Stream A review of wages policy within the industry. our base rates are too low to attract good staff how can the assn help change this situation Basic Agronomy : weed Pest disease and Nutrition beyond blue subjects managing individual stress / depression Bunker topics, machinery maintenance (not all clubs have mechanics), chemical spray application. Have a open forum at the conclusion of each days conference. Discuss the topics of that day. how to conduct yourself in committee meetings How to sell your story to boards more disease control and analysis Do you have any further comments or suggestions? For some of the topics maybe the successful topics over the last 10 years should be re-visited. going over some of the basic topics again like renovations would be helpful These survey are great if the info collected is used properly More technical data, latest industry standards, warm season grasses and give the sportsfield managers their fair share and you will probably get more attending. Incorporate interactive workshops The lunch meals were a massive improvement on the last few years, well done! Really enjoyed the conference and love the rotation of regional and city destinations. Would like to see a bit more of a concession on day delegate fees to encourage clubs to send assistants and staff along to these events. Overall I think much thought goes into the conference organisation and a very good job is done. It will always be difficult to please everyone and although a number of the subjects and speakers were of little interest to me at the Hobart conference other may feel different. I like technical speakers and innovative speakers. Thank you for a job well done. It was a great conference in a lovely city. Open forums with five superintendents one from each state with an open topic on staff, greens speed, course design, vegetation Greatly enjoyed the conference looking to the next one. Cheers to all involved Given that there may be a need to have longer session times for some speakers (eg 2 instead of 1 hour) and also that both the regional and major conferences run for the same length of time, would there be any consideration given to adding a day to the major conference and having the golf championship and welcoming reception on the Sunday freeing up an extra day for lectures? Just a thought! Keep up the good work. My first conference, two thumbs up! thankyou...
CONFERENCE PROGRAM & PROCEEDINGS Hard Copy Posted with original DELEGATE NUMBERS Of the 278 delegates in attendance; Golf course superintendents and staff 216 or 43% Sportsfield grounds managers 62 or 22% KEY OUTCOMES Lessons Learnt 1. Most of the delegates could identify either symptoms within themselves or amongst their staff after the session given by beyondblue. The AGCSA as the industry body needs to continue to develop strategies and workshop in the area of mental health. 2. Venues that can keep talks, tradeshow and catering together promote a higher level of debate and camaraderie. 3. Hands on workshops need to be fresh each year as do open forums. It would seem that workshops could be offered at the big conference with more of the popular open forum style talks saved for the more intimate regional event. 4. Trade Show was well patronised however visitors were concerned about the amount of space allowed and would like to see hands on demonstrations. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The response to the beyondblue workshop demonstrates the modern day stresses that face those working in the turf industry and how important it is to maintain a healthy balance between professional and private life. We will follow this theme and continue to offer updates and education on it at future events.