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2/3 Monday
The education component of the Golf Industry Show began today. The busses were rolling and they attendees hit the Orlando Convention Center in force.
First things first and you gotta get there. A smoothly streamlined bus schedule seemed to be flawless. I walked about a block or two to a neighboring hotel to board the bus. Lots of room, temperature controlled and very clean coaches took about 40 of us to the OCC at 7 AM. It was a short drive but would have been a long walk in a week where most of us will have our feet put to the test. Our bus was streaming video from GCSAA.tv and was uplifting to see interviews with Matt Shaffer on the U.S. Open. Transportation Grade A+.
Upon entering the OCC there were a number of people in the aquamarine blazers serving as ambassadors to direct everyone to where they needed to go. Beyond the blazers were sharply dressed GCSAA staff, which were easy to identify as they all had on some nice charcoal colored golf shirts so it was easy to know who could help members and all attendees. The check in was a bit different and attendees needed to use their confirmation and scan it to get their credentials. GCSAA staff was there to help and things moved swiftly with no backups as we may have experienced in the past. Registration Grade A+
Seminars looked to be very full. Some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry presented 2-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour and all-day seminars on a variety of topics. At the breaks there was lively and positive conversation as I heard people in all different classrooms talking about what they were learning and also what their take home information would be after their classes. I may be a bit biased as I was an instructor as I have been for over a quarter century. My class on High Performance Golf Course Management had 120 attendees and had to bring some extra chairs in and it was standing room only. Great interaction with the students and had a true bunch of professionals there dressed like business people and commenting and asking questions with great business acumen. Education Grade A+
In case you think I am an easy grader…..such is not the case. I tell it like it is and offer constructive criticism but also give credit where credit is due. Will let Pat Jones fill people in on the golf tourney as GCI has people all over Orlando covering anything and everything related to the Golf
Industry Show. More each day of the conference!
2/4 Tuesday
International Drive was a busy place on Tuesday. The busses were rolling taking superintendents to seminars and manufacturers and their teams to the trade show floor to make the final steps I having their booth set up for the Greatest Show on Turf…..the GCSAA Golf Industry Show! With the latest schedule this day is split with both the education and the beginning of festivities including the Opening Session.
A short walk from the Orange County Convention Center is the former Peabody Hotel across the street on International Drive. What was formerly the Peabody with their famous ducks in the lobby has now been taken over by Hyatt. While the ducks were absent the hotel was as busy as I had ever seen it. Not sure on the occupancy rate but there was not a vacant meeting room or ballroom in site as they were all filled by predominantly golf and turf companies. Some of these companies take advantage of so many of their people from across the country being in one place and hold some corporate meetings. Others reach out to their many distributors and update them on products and innovations.
Even if you sit or stand in the hallway it is likely you will see people from back home and also many people you may not have the time to speak to on the show floor. While waiting for a meeting I was stationed outside of the Golf Course Builders Association meeting room and saw many old friends from across the country that are involved in building and construction of golf courses, irrigation systems, etc. A few people must have recognized me and were nice enough to come up and introduce themselves. Lots of time networking that is invaluable in this industry. Sure glad that I had a hundred business cards and will have another hundred with me tomorrow. Collecting business cards is not as important as following up with people you meet after the show is over.
Hyatt had the kitchens busy with many buffets offered for the various company meetings and such. My afternoon started with one of those lunches and then right on to the 10th annual Grigg Bros. University. Distributors from across North America, the UK, Sweden, China, New Zealand, Korea and Southeast Asia were in attendance. Four hours of education included multiple presentations by several noted researchers and educators from around the globe. The room was full with over 120 participants. One lucky winner received 2 tickets and accommodations to an upcoming NASCAR race to hopefully watch the Brandt car bring home the checkered flag. Brandt acquired Grigg Bros. within the last month and the meeting was also a chance for the many distributors around the globe to meet the Brandt team.
As many meetings were coming to a close at about 4:45 there were flashing lights, sirens and the smell of smoke in parts of the hotel. All the ballrooms were vacated and most of us were standing out on the curb as they hotel was checked to be sure there was no further danger. Who do I run into outside but the GIE team with Mike Zawacki, Kyle Brown and Pat Jones! We could have had an editorial meeting right there on the curb. But no rest for the weary as Pat went back in to finish his presentation on the State of the Industry.
A number of receptions began by 6:30 and the many restaurants on International Drive were fully occupied by 7 PM. There was a lot of buzz about the show tomorrow. Expectations are high and my guess is that GCSAA is more than ready to deliver! Pre-Show meetings grade A+ as the vibe I got from many attending such meetings today said they were invaluable.
Early to bed for breakfast meetings tomorrow!