OTF show keeps growing

The 39th Annual Ohio Turfgrass Conference and Show ended Dec. 8 with 3,974 green industry professionals participating at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The newly unveiled format included education consolidated into three days, while also allowing for an increase in dedicated trade show hours with no concurrent class sessions. Speakers representing seven universities from 12 different states participated.

“The response to OTF’s new structure was overwhelming as we served both attendees and vendors with a higher return on their respective time invested Kevin Thompson, OTF executive director, says. “The daily attendance figures speak to the level of acceptance for the refined program.”

More than 200 turfgrass suppliers occupied nearly 500 exhibit booths and attendee buying was brisk.

“Best show I’ve exhibited in by far, second to none,” says Chuck McKenna of Regal Chemical Co. of Alpharetta, Ga. “As a first-time exhibitor, the number of buyers actually stopping and talking in my booth was fantastic.”

Decision makers from landscape, lawn care, golf courses, parks and recreation departments, and sports fields were all represented in the buyer categories.

The increase in trade-show-only hours was viewed positively by exhibiting companies.

“With this year’s response, we are going to figure out how to increase dedicated trade show hours even more in 2006,” OTF trade show committee chairman Joe Enciso says.

GCSAA continuing education credits were offered, as were Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia pesticide re-certification credits. The Ohio Department of Agriculture also offered testing for new pesticide application licenses.

Keynote speaker, former Olympic gold medal wrestler Rulon Gardner, spoke at the trade show reception and preview opening. Gardner professed a never-say-die attitude, coupled with the team approach to business and one’s professional career.

Also noteworthy, the OTF live auction raised more than $15,000 for turfgrass research grants and scholarships. The OTF Founders Club held its second annual member reception, gaining three new members and more than $10,000 in contributions, which will support the educational and scientific needs of the turfgrass industry in perpetuity.

The 2006 OTF Conference and Show will return to the Greater Columbus Convention Center Dec. 5 through 7.

For additional information, contact the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation at 888-683-3445, fax 740-452-2552, or visit www.OhioTurfgrass.org.