Trade show rookie

During industry conversations in the leadup to the show, people often ask each other if they are going. It’s an easy talking point. When I was asked, I would say yes – adding that this would be the first GCSAA Conference and Trade show that I would be attending.

Responses ranged from “you’re in for a treat,” to “wear comfortable shoes,” to “take snacks” to “you won’t get far without seeing someone you know.”  The footwear advice made sense, and snacking indicators are gratefully received, but I wasn’t sure about how many people I might encounter – over 12,000 people were there. How many friends and colleagues would I really run into?

I have been working in the industry for several years, but in some ways, it still feels new to me and big groups can feel overwhelming. Surprisingly, joyously, I did see many friends. It was great to pair faces with names – some people I had connected with for years online or via telephone, and now we were in the same place at the same time.

My first education session, about reel geometry, was taught by Trent Manning, which significantly worked my brain. It was a pleasure to introduce myself to him and another mechanic I recognized in the audience, who I knew by reputation. I attended a few other educational seminars, covering different topics and including a meeting designed for architects. I tried to thank the speakers, who all did a nice job.

I attended the opening session which was full of history, context and awards. The organizers covered a lot of ground at a good pace, moving people on and off the stage, interspersing prepared videos with live interviews. It was inspiring and reflective, and it felt grand. Events like these are hard to get exactly right – everyone is going to have an opinion. It’s difficult to walk the line between being corny and sentimental, boring and informative, produced and authentic. It was clear that a fair amount of thought and effort went into striking the right balance.

I spent some time in the Golf Course Industry booth, and many friends dropped by. What a blessing! And then there was the Excellence in Mentorship Awards, which was maybe the highlight of the show for me, as I truly enjoy seeing and hearing about these relationships. Plus, there was live music, always a win. It was heartwarming to see so many genuine hugs, handshakes and people who were deeply grateful for the relationships they have with one another.  

There were some things I didn’t get to. For example, I missed the golf on the weekend –congratulations to Mike Gianopoulos, superintendent at Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for repeating as champion! I didn’t go to the party in ICON park though I heard it was fun – good music, good food, great atmosphere. My flight left before the closing session so I missed that (the closing session, not my flight!), and I heard about several chapter gatherings on Wednesday night. It was interesting to see what people valued throughout the conference.

This was my most considered conundrum with the show – to schedule meetings or not? I prefer in general for life to be an adventure but it’s also nice to have some structure. There were a few people who I wish I could have spent more time with. You don’t want to overschedule, but you don’t want to miss anyone who is important to you, either.    

I learned that there were more shades of khaki than I could have ever imagined, and everything from tennis shoes to quarter zips and blazers works when accessorized with a smile. Some of the booths had interesting setups, and I will always make time for playing with puppies. I learned a lot of history about the GCSAA and I thought the Centennial Experience was well presented.

What will I do differently next time? I’m not certain. I will definitely hop on a facility tour, and I want to drop by the Turf Bowl. I might brave the fun run, and I would like to check out the prayer breakfast. There is a lot to appreciate. It was a good first show, but there is more to explore.   

Still, with all the options for events, and for all the ways of seeing and doing, it’s clear to me how much individuals value connecting with the people they care about more than anything. Sure, products and services were on full display. It was a great time to ask some questions, speak with your representatives, explore options, and make some progress for your course operations. It’s fantastic to have everything in one place for learning and research.

Some people have been attending the show for decades, and they have seen it through many iterations. People new to the show learned to steer clear of the dance teams (watch out!) and how to navigate the various entrances and exits of the Orange County Convention Center. What takes a little practice is determining where your time is best spent to make it meaningful for you.

My guess is that the most important thing for people is how much quality time they are able to spend with friends and colleagues. Or if they brought family with them, the way that they were able to enjoy a few hours away from work. As the week progressed and I became used to the scale of the event, it was the moments connecting with individuals that resonated with me. The nods, the handshakes, the hugs, the one-on-one conversations – that’s the best.

Lee Carr is a northeast Ohio-based writer and senior Golf Course Industry contributor.