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My Wednesday at GIS -- which is historically my busiest workday of the year -- started at 6:30 a.m. with the RISE Issues Breakfast. Attendees included 150 or so executives from plant protection companies as well as supers active in government affairs. I've been to many of these over the years and the news about how regulation and legislation impacts our freedom to use necessary and thoroughly tested products is rarely good.
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Topping this year's list of challenges: Attempts to restrict neonics, tough local restrictions like the proposed pesticide ban in Montgomery County, Md., and the continuing saga of the crazy, pointless expansion of the Clean Water Act.
But, the most important thing I heard there was not how tough the fight is. Instead, it was RISE president Aaron Hobbs saying: "We can always count on GCSAA and superintendents to be in the room when there's an important issue." He went on to specifically thank supers including our old friend Dean Graves of Chevy Chase Club and Jon Lobenstine of Montgomery County's golf courses. Awesome.
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The second really important thing I heard yesterday was a quote from our friend Ken Mangum who is in the homestretch of his amazing career at Atlanta Athletic Club. I saw him this morning, forced him to take a selfie with me and I asked him what would really make him happy in his post-superintendent life. Heres what he said: "I just want to help the people who've helped me over all the years and give something back." Double awesome.
Another important thing I heard consistently yesterday from folks in the design and construction segment who are engaged in remodeling and renovation was: "We're busy!" The business of improving golf courses is pretty healthy right now. Super awesome.
At our fantastic TweetUp I heard much about why people are engaged in social media and why they're passionate about it. But the most important thing I heard was, "Nice to finally meet you!" After all, that's the point: social media creates relationships but things like TweetUp and GIS take those friendships from virtual to personal. Case in point: I had never actually met three of our honorees for this year's Social Media Awards until the moment they stepped up on the stage. Mega awesome!
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Finally, I ended my business day by participating in the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation meeting where the group finalizes the selection of the Award of Excellence winner for the most outstanding graduate students our turfgrass programs produce. As I glanced around the room, I saw leaders and legends including Frank Dobie, Bob Farren of Pinehurst, Dr. Mike Hurdzan, Marsh Benson of ANGC, Jeff Markow of Cypress Point, Darren Davis, Dr. Nick Christians, Dr. Lane Tredway, Dr. John Kaminski and others great folks. Busy people who give their time and talents to advance knowledge, research and advancement in our happy little business. How awesome was that?
Have a great Thursday and enjoy the awesomeness of being together!
