The 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego features 146,000 square feet of exhibitors offering cutting-edge technology and turf management solutions. GCM file photos
Ready to roll.
That’s a recurring theme when it comes to the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, which without a doubt is on a roll — as in, rolling into town and rolling out an array of products that again will be front and center. And this year, that front-and-center theme will be especially literal at what amounts to the front porch of GCSAA’s annual marquee event, its own version of the Super Bowl and World Series.
Come Feb. 3-6, the GCSAA CTS, stationed at the San Diego Convention Center, will roll into the West Coast, and make it back-to-back years that its presence outside the host convention center will be impossible to miss. Known as Golf’s Sustainability Showcase (from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 3-5 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Feb. 6), this unique attraction offers an immersive, hands-on learning experience.
Park Plaza Live — a demonstration area for all kinds of autonomous and electric maintenance equipment, electric lawnmowers for golf course maintenance, and myriad products — is a first for San Diego. The idea of a CTS spilling beyond the convention center is not, however, a first for GCSAA. A year ago in Phoenix, GCSAA staged an outdoor Sustainability Showcase at Canyon on Third outside of the Phoenix Convention Center that proved to be a smashing success.
Of course, the Trade Show inside the walls of the convention center is still going to be on display — and even more abundant than last year. In fact, there’s a good possibility this will be the largest show in five years.
This year, attendees looking for ideas to help make their golf courses more sustainable will find those indoor/outdoor options are plentiful. And, building off that outdoor scene and momentum that was launched in 2024 in the Valley of the Sun, San Diego has, in a way, jumped on the bandwagon.
“It’s the first time that San Diego city officials have given us permission to allow us to have demonstrations outdoors,” says Matt Brown, director of corporate sales at GCSAA. “We continue to expand our footprint of the Trade Show.”
The Robo Ranger by Xeratech is one of many autonomous technology options featured on this year's trade show floor.
Speaking of autonomous …
The “A word” is quite a talking point these days.
“Autonomous equipment … it’s a hot topic around turf people right now,” says Todd Bohn, GCSAA Class A director of agronomy at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., and 25-year association member.
Desert Mountain has owned autonomous mowers for a year.
“I was a little hesitant at first to jump on it,” Bohn says. “It’s the ease and the quality of it that changed my mind and my mindset.”
At least one business that has autonomous offerings will be making its GCSAA Conference and Trade Show debut.
Ultimate Golf & Leisure is thrilled to show off Robo Ranger by XeraTech, what the company calls a robotic solution for golf courses and driving ranges. The machine eliminates the need for manual labor to retrieve golf balls while also offering advanced turf maintenance capabilities. Powered by artificial intelligence and mapped trajectories, Robo Ranger can efficiently pick up balls and mow grass, all without the need for excess staff.
Robo Ranger is fully autonomous, using AI to navigate golf courses on a determined schedule. It adapts to obstacles and manages maintenance independently, stopping instantly when needed, thanks to a crash bar.
To display Robo Ranger at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is … well, let company vice president Andrew Kline say it: “It’s huge, to get to show this to the masses. San Diego is the perfect place. It’s not necessarily replacing jobs. It allows people to do other tasks. We’re looking to help golf courses, make it more affordable, make their tasks easier.”
The company based in Toronto, Ontario, already has customers in the U.S. and Canada. President Michael Steiner said in November that 40 locations have Robo Ranger, including six in the U.S.
He and Kline noted its innovation is constant, and upgrading the app to fit customers’ needs is taken into consideration for Robo Ranger, which is gas-free, makes minimal noise and can work night and day.
As for the event in San Diego, Steiner is eager. “We’re ready,” he says.
They’re baaack
Four powerhouses in the golf industry signed on to follow up their efforts in making the outdoor Golf Sustainability Showcase possible.
The Showcase is a collaborative effort of GCSAA, United States Golf Association, Golf Course Builders Association of America and American Society of Golf Course Architects, bringing together the best minds in the industry to share new ideas, insights and learning opportunities.
This unique attraction offers an immersive learning experience where visitors can witness the actual build of a tee, green and bunker.
What to Expect:
- Accessible golf: Learn about innovative designs and practices that make golf more accessible to everyone.
- Sustainable bunker maintenance: Discover techniques for maintaining bunkers in an eco-friendly manner.
- Durable turf types: Explore new, resilient turf varieties that can withstand various environmental challenges.
- Innovative ideas: A chance to gain fresh perspectives on sustainable golf course management; latest products and services show off the newest offerings from companies dedicated to sustainability in golf; networking possibilities to connect with industry leaders and peers who are passionate about sustainability.
The 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show features the return of the Golf Sustainability Showcase, which highlights sustainable turf management solutions.
Floor show happenings
Months before the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show was set to begin, there was a buzz about what will go down in San Diego.
According to Brown, in November, the amount of trade show space was over 7,000 square feet ahead of last year’s total. The goal is to be over 146,000 square feet, and late in 2024 hopes were high to bring it to fruition. The number of exhibitors is expected to top 425, which was last year’s total. “We think it will be our biggest show since post-COVID,” says Brown, with the last largest show having been held in 2020 in Orlando.
Why? Brown has a few thoughts. “New companies, technologies, water quality, water treatment, readily available water for turf health,” he says. “We continue to grow.”
The floor layout?
“Easier, rectangular, East to West, no corners — linear show floor all in one room, making it easier for visitors to make a bunch of visits and collect info on products,” Brown says.
The GCSAA TV Stage will be busy, too, with popular, relative topics addressed by allied industries, members and member partners.
And, yes, the Drone Zone is back for San Diego. That will be the case when you look up at the indoor Drone Zone sponsored by Turf Logic, Booth 1225.
“We did it in San Diego six years ago,” Brown says. “It’s on the show floor in a safe, netted environment with companies teaching drones and drone applications. There will be an FAA drone instruction pilot, teaching, drone applications geared for turf health and diagnostics. There are more and more applications for drones, turf, that may need applications, and thermal images.”
A regular and anticipated feature at the show is Hector’s Shop, starring Hector Velazquez, with featured content related to maintenance and repair used in golf course maintenance. “He’s kind of a celebrity,” Brown says.
So are those pups. Flyaway Geese, one of the most popular attractions at the show (those cute pups are stars), will be back this year.
Howard Richman is GCM's associate editor.