Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast, leaving death and destruction in its wake. As the area begins the long, slow process of rebuilding, the status of the 2006 Golf Industry Show, scheduled for New Orleans Feb. 6 through 11, is in question.
In a letter to Golf Course Superintendents Association of America members, Steve Mona, CAE, chief executive officer, addressed the question.
“Our concern was and is for the people of the region, especially GCSAA members,” he writes. “That is why the focus of our communications has been to alert our members to the availability of our Emergency Relief Fund. The information communicated regarding the conference and show was provided only in response to a significant volume of e-mails and telephone calls we received over the last several days asking us what we intended to do with the 2006 Golf Industry Show, given the situation in New Orleans.”
The GCSAA conference events staff had been in frequent communication with people at the New Orleans site prior to the hurricane to ensure a smooth event, according to Mona. Once the storm hit, the ball was in the city’s court.
“We made no effort to contact the principles in New Orleans on the day of the storm,” Mona writes. “Our plan was to wait until representatives of New Orleans contacted us regarding the status of services in the area. The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has contacted us with a preliminary assessment of the situation.”
Jeff Bollig, director of communications for the GCSAA, says the association’s plans are in a holding pattern, allowing the city of New Orleans every opportunity to assess its situation and the chances the city would be ready to host a conference in early February. In the meantime, he says the GCSAA has been in contact with other cities, such as Houston, capable of hosting an event of this magnitude.
Mona says GCSAA members can be assured that a contribution will be made for the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region this year and that the association will continue to conduct its business with its colleagues in New Orleans in an appropriate manner.
Superintendents affected by the hurricane can apply for emergency funds through the GCSAA by contacting Scott Woodhead, senior manager of governance and member standards, at 800-472-7878, ext. 4418 or at swoodhead@gcsaa.org.
To make a donation to the Red Cross disaster relief fund, call 800-HELP-NOW or visit www.redcross.org. Donations can be mailed to the Red Cross at 2025 E. Street N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20006.
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“Our concern was and is for the people of the region, especially GCSAA members,” he writes. “That is why the focus of our communications has been to alert our members to the availability of our Emergency Relief Fund. The information communicated regarding the conference and show was provided only in response to a significant volume of e-mails and telephone calls we received over the last several days asking us what we intended to do with the 2006 Golf Industry Show, given the situation in New Orleans.”
The GCSAA conference events staff had been in frequent communication with people at the New Orleans site prior to the hurricane to ensure a smooth event, according to Mona. Once the storm hit, the ball was in the city’s court.
“We made no effort to contact the principles in New Orleans on the day of the storm,” Mona writes. “Our plan was to wait until representatives of New Orleans contacted us regarding the status of services in the area. The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has contacted us with a preliminary assessment of the situation.”
Jeff Bollig, director of communications for the GCSAA, says the association’s plans are in a holding pattern, allowing the city of New Orleans every opportunity to assess its situation and the chances the city would be ready to host a conference in early February. In the meantime, he says the GCSAA has been in contact with other cities, such as Houston, capable of hosting an event of this magnitude.
Mona says GCSAA members can be assured that a contribution will be made for the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region this year and that the association will continue to conduct its business with its colleagues in New Orleans in an appropriate manner.
Superintendents affected by the hurricane can apply for emergency funds through the GCSAA by contacting Scott Woodhead, senior manager of governance and member standards, at 800-472-7878, ext. 4418 or at swoodhead@gcsaa.org.
To make a donation to the Red Cross disaster relief fund, call 800-HELP-NOW or visit www.redcross.org. Donations can be mailed to the Red Cross at 2025 E. Street N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20006.