With an average January high of 72, Orlando provides a welcome balm to the winter blues and an exceptional setting for the 2020 Golf Industry Show. Photo by aphotostory/Shutterstock.com
GCSAA members can now register and make hotel reservations for the 2020 Golf Industry Show, Jan. 25-30 in Orlando, Fla. Non-member registration will open Oct. 29.
GCSAA and presenting partners — the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) — will host a week of world-class education and unparalleled networking opportunities alongside a trade show tailored to golf course superintendents, owners and managers and the industries that market to golf facilities.
“Orlando continues as a favorite among attendees and exhibitors for its great facilities and family-friendly locale that provides a wonderful backdrop for the educational and networking opportunities the Golf Industry Show is known for,” says Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “We are also excited for the enhanced opportunities for attendees this year thanks to our new presenting partners, GCBAA and ASGCA.”
Why join us at GIS 2020? Allow GCM to highlight some of the reasons.
New and noteworthy in GIS education
You asked for new, and the 2020 GCSAA Education Conference won’t disappoint. Based on attendee feedback, 57% of the seminars offered in Orlando will be brand-new, including five seminars that partner with GCBAA and ASGCA to cover topics such as golf course renovation and design. All 23 free education sessions will also feature fresh content.
Another change spurred by attendee feedback: the introduction of shorter, 1-hour-and-45-minute seminars, which will allow attendees to easily take four different seminars in one day.
An education track focused on golf course labor issues will join the 2020 lineup, including a free two-hour session. A variety of presentations and a panel discussion will aim to help superintendents address growing staffing challenges, which have no one-size-fits-all solution.
An environmental best management practices track will make its debut in 2020, along with an expanded emotional health track. Equipment managers will find more opportunities to learn at GIS than ever before, including an EM-focused education track and new equipment manager roundtables for interactive, peer-to-peer education.
Get more information on the 2020 GCSAA Education Conference.
New and noteworthy on the GIS trade show floor
More than 500 exhibitors are expected to fill the GIS trade show floor, which will occupy a newer space — the North/South Concourse — within Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.
Returning for 2020 will be “Inside the Shop,” a full, interactive replica of a golf course maintenance facility that will host live demonstrations and education. Hector Velazquez will again be on site to share his expertise with fellow technicians, and “Inside the Shop” version 2.0 will boast increased educational offerings and a larger networking space.
Take a look back at “Inside the Shop” at GIS 2019:
Among the attractions new to the GIS trade show mix will be a drone educational area and a space dedicated to First Green, GCSAA’s STEM education program, where attendees can get familiar with the various aspects of hosting a First Green field trip. And because it wouldn’t be a complete gathering of golf industry professionals without some hardworking, canine crew members on hand, the popular golf course dog demonstrations will be back to lend some four-legged energy to the trade show floor once again.
Returning GIS favorites
GCSAA Golf Championships
Saturday, Jan. 25 - Monday, Jan. 27
Ladies Leading Turf networking social
Wednesday, Jan. 29
GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl
Thursday, Jan. 30
Health in Action 5K
Thursday, Jan. 30
Premier events during GIS will include the Opening Session on Wednesday morning before the trade show floor opens, and the Trade Show Block Party and Closing Celebration on Thursday.
Register and get much more information on all the happenings at the 2020 Golf Industry Show on the Golf Industry Show website.