An extensive program is planned for golf course superintendents at the Empire State Green Industry Show, an educational conference and trade show which will be held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center on January 12 - 14, 2010 in Rochester, N.Y. According to NYSTA president, Owen Regan, “Bethpage State Park Golf Course Superintendent, Craig Currier will be one of our featured speakers this year. I had the honor of watching Craig in action as he hosted the 2009 U.S. Open at the Bethpage Black Golf Course. Craig deftly managed the course during the event which had the potential of becoming a rained out disaster! Even Tiger Woods was quoted as saying, ‘The staff did a helluva job getting the golf course ready.’” Craig Currier will team up with David Oatis, Director of the Northeast Region of the USGA Green Section, to speak on what they learned from months of preparation for the 2009 U.S. Open.
Hosted by the New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA), New York State Nursery and Landscape Association (NYSNLA), and New York State Arborists – ISA Chapter, Inc. (NYSA), the Empire State Green Industry Show includes accredited education sessions offering pesticide recertification credits for New York (NYSDEC), Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In addition, GCSAA education points will be available on January 12 - .65, January 13 - .85, and January 14 - .50.
Other topics of interest include presentations by Dr. Daniel Potter, Professor of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, who will discuss golf course insect control. Dr. Frank Rossi, Cornell University expert on turfgrass, will present seven educational discussions covering a variety of topics including soil management, the care of golf turf, dollar spot, late season nitrogen fertilization, and reduced risk and organic disease management programs. James Ross, with the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre, will join James Skorulski, USGA, to present sessions on how to manage winter injury of annual bluegrass turf and various winter protection options.
Dr. Daniel Peck, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Soil Insect Ecology and Turfgrass Entomology at Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva will present an insect diagnostic workshop made possible by a grant from the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Fund. This hands-on lab will provide practice for participants to examine and differentiate common turf insect pests.
For those unable to attend day classes or who would like to earn extra credits, “Pesticide CSI” will be presented on Wednesday, January 13, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. During this evening session, our Cornell University experts will be “investigating” environmental issues associated with turf pesticide use and the assessment tools used to determine environmental impact.
Aquatics sessions on pond management are slated for Thursday, January 14, where management approaches to common weeds will be discussed. To view all speakers and session descriptions, please access the show web site here.
The popular round table luncheon discussions will be held on Tuesday, January 12. Registered participants will be given the opportunity to meet with expert facilitators, have lunch, and exchange ideas with colleagues. Golf turf forums include, “Turfgrass Disease Management,” “Reduced-risk Golf Course Management,” and “Winter Injury.” A complete list of topics is available in the attendee brochure or on the show web site here.
For students, NYSTA’s Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition will be held on Wednesday, January 13 from 10 am to 4 pm. The competition is designed to test students’ knowledge of turfgrasses and the weeds, diseases, and insects that affect them.
The opening reception of the trade show will be held on Tuesday from 2:30 – 6:00 pm and refreshments will be served. Participants will have the opportunity to buy from leading green industry businesses at the trade show and observe demonstrations on the exhibit floor. The price of a trade show pass is $20, a 50% reduction from last year. Booth prices have also been discounted and include conference registration for two representatives. Companies interested in exhibiting can view a map of available booth space on the show web site. To reserve exhibit space, contact Jill Cyr at show@nysta.org.
The Empire State Green Industry Show is endorsed by Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Cobleskill, New York State Association of Cemeteries, Nassau Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association, and the New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds.
Attendee and exhibitor registration is available on line. For more information, contact the show office 800-873-8873, (518) 783-1229, or visit our web site at www.nysta.org.