GCI publisher Pat Jones will serve as the keynote speaker for the fourth annual Deep South Turf Expo Nov. 27-28 in Biloxi, Miss. Jones will explore why turf is critical to American life today and why it will be even more important in the future.
In an additional golf segment presentation, Jones will discuss how in recent decades more superintendents have been fired for poor communications than poor turf. He will share proven, effective communications strategies for superintendents including when and how to use social media in his presentation, “Modern Networking: Building Relationships in the Digital Age.”
For three decades, Jones has been known for his insights into the golf and turf business and his candid, “tell-it-like-it-is” approach. As publisher and editorial director of GIE Media’s Golf Course Industry, Jones runs the leading independent publication in the business and contributes his award-winning “Parting Shots” column each month. He is a prolific writer, blogger and social media commentator and a frequent presenter at regional, national and international turf conferences.
Jones joined GIE Media full-time in 2010 and is a member of the company’s executive team. Jones serves on several corporate and non-profit boards, including the Musser Turfgrass Research Foundation. He was elected to the inaugural class of the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association Hall of Fame in 2014. He lives and works in the Cleveland, Ohio, area.
Now in its fourth year, the Expo continues to change and adapt to further meet client’s needs across the Southeast. One big change this year is the addition of a second golf tournament. The Preserve Scramble, sponsored by Ameri-Turf, which has been held on the Tuesday prior to opening of the education session, will be held as usual. The growth of the Tuesday indicated the need for another tournament. Those who take a more serious approach to golf can now register for a two-day “championship” tournament and play a two-person best ball format. The championship will begin Monday, Nov. 26 at The Preserve followed by a fish fry dinner provided by Beard Equipment Company. Beard, along with Greenville Turf and Tractor, are the namesake sponsors of this event. On Tuesday, the action moves to Fallen Oak Golf Course where teams will finish play.
The fourth Skeet and Trap Tournament at Coastal Rifle and Pistol Club (sponsored by Dow AgroScience) will be held Tuesday during the golf tournament. The sports turf field tour (sponsored by Agri-AFC and PBI-Gordon) will be held concurrently.
Adjustments have been made to increase tradeshow traffic for exhibitors and fun for attendees. Breakfast, sponsored by Harrells, Syngenta and FMC, will be served on the tradeshow floor on Wednesday and Thursday morning. The tradeshow reception sponsored by Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation is from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday with a live band performance sponsored by Harrells on the floor. New partner, Simplot, is sponsoring the Wednesday lunch. There will also be various contests and games set up around the floor.
Hosts include the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association, Alabama Turfgrass Association, Gulf Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Louisiana/Mississippi Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Mississippi Turfgrass Association.
