Hurricane Katrina forced the 2006 Golf Industry Show to move from New Orleans to Houston, however, the dates will remain the same: Feb. 6 through 11. The GIS is a joint venture between the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association.
Houston was a natural fit, according to Steve Mona, CAE, c.e.o. of the GCSAA, though he and his staff made several calls to other locations once it became evident that New Orleans wouldn’t be able to handle the show. In addition to the dates being made available, it’s convenient because the GCSAA National Golf Championship and Golf Classic will be played at five Houston-area golf courses Feb. 4 through 6. Geographically, Houston was a logical choice because of Mona’s desire to maintain an east-middle-west rotation for the show. San Diego scheduled for 2007.
Smaller groups were booked at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the scheduled dates, but the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department managed to relocate or reschedule them to accommodate the GIS.
With New Orleans left unable to host, Alan Hess, CGCS at Augusta Pines Golf Club in Spring, Texas, says the South Texas GCSA put out feelers and let the GCSAA know that it would offer any assistance the association needed. Dallas and Atlanta were two other possibilities to host the GIS, according to Hess.
To Mona’s knowledge, the upcoming conference and trade show, in its 76th year, has never been moved because of weather. With only five months to prepare, he says they’re doing something they’ve never done but are confident they can have everything in place.
Mike Tinkey, deputy c.e.o. of the NGCOA, says they’re dedicated to building on the success of last year’s show and would like to see this become a rallying point for the industry.
Tinkey says he’s been encouraged by the response thus far and says he’s heard from course owners who were affected by last year’s string of hurricanes that struck Florida. Many of them are rebuilding still but have asked how they can help those in need from Hurricane Katrina.
Reaction
Joe Livingston, CGCS at River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, says the relocation won’t affect him much because he hasn’t registered or booked travel yet.
“It will be cheaper for the club because we are within driving distance,” he says.
Although Livingston doesn’t want to complain because the GCSAA was put in a trouble spot, he says he isn’t impressed with the location.
“There’s not many tourist attractions, but that could be good for the convention,” he says.
Livingston has been attending the show for the past 10 years and says it hasn’t been in Houston during that time.
“It makes sense to keep it close to the golf tournament,” he says. “I’d figure they would pick Dallas, but I’m glad they didn’t. There are only so many convention centers that can handle a group of our size.”
Tom Vlach, CGCS at Greystone Golf Club in Birmingham, Ala., also says he isn’t affected by the show moving from New Orleans to Houston and says it doesn’t matter to him where the show is.
John Deere, a large exhibitor at the GIS, is busy working on hurricane relief efforts and isn’t concerned about the change in location.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the people affected by this incredible tragedy in New Orleans and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast,” says Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing for John Deere Golf & Turf One Source. “John Deere is hard at work marshalling equipment, manpower and financial support to assist those affected by the horrible devastation.
“However, the GIS must go on,” he adds. “Thanks to the hard work of the associations’ staff, great facilities and people will greet us in Houston. We expect this show will be a success.”
The GCSAA and NGCOA plan on returning to New Orleans in 2009 – it’s regularly scheduled turn in the rotation, according to Mona.
“We’re committed to that city,” he says. “It normally attracts a pretty good crowd, and we want to support New Orleans.”
The South Texas GCSA and the Lone Star GCSA will take up a collection to help those superintendents who were adversely affected by the hurricane.
The GCSAA conference and show has been in New Orleans on four previous occasions: 1975, 1982, 1992 and 2000 and returns to Houston for the first time since 1988, having conducted previous events in 1960 and 1970. The NGCOA hasn’t conducted an annual meeting in either New Orleans or Houston. GCN
