Lawn Care Category - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Building a Beneficial Organic Fertilizer Program (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Just because you are using organics, doesn’t equate to healthy turf. This special full day class is designed for the turf professional that wants to know more about alternatives to common fertilizer practices and products. Go into depth and develop a fertilizer program for your fine turf based upon current organic products available. Organic fertilizers by their nature are not created equally, learn the differences based upon source and intended outcome. Mr. Len Conley
SPORTS TURF SYMPOSIUM
Truths and Myths of Synthetic Turf
(8 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
Are you thinking of making an investment in a synthetic sports turf installation? This is the class for you, actually this whole day is for you. Learn what research is discovering by one of the leading synthetic field investigators in the country. Dr. McNitt, Assistant Professor of Soil Science/Turfgrass, has been with the Pennsylvania State University for 21 years. He presently teaches two courses in the 4 year Turfgrass Science curriculum, and one course in the 2 year program. He conducts research relating to athletic field surface characterization. Dr. McNitt has been honored nationally by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, The Musser International Turfgrass Foundation, The Crop Science Society of America, The American Society of Agronomy, and the Sports Turf Managers Association. He has consulted on numerous golf course construction and renovation projects and athletic fields construction and renovation at all levels of play from high school through professional sports complexes.
Assessing the Need to Convert from Natural Turf
Do you think synthetic turf is the answer to your sports field woes? It certainly could be. Don’t miss this portion of the seminar where Mr. Jack Sebesta will bring up key identifying issues that may constitute a change to synthetic turf. Synthetic turf can be a costly investment. Make sure it is the answer to your problems. Mr. Sebesta is the Superintendent of Recreation for the Crystal Lake Park District and has recently supervised a conversion to synthetic turf.
Specification Writing -Get What You are Paying For
There are now many synthetic sports turf surface alternatives out there. Furthermore, there are more companies popping up and installing these fields. Make sure the the field you have chosen is what is installed. Avoid mistakes by writing specifications that meet your needs as the owner and manager of a synthetic surface. Mr. Jeffery Bruce will share from his experiences of designing and installing synthetic surfaces on a wide array of venues as principal of the Jeffery Bruce Company (JBC). JBC is a national landscape architectural firm providing highly specialized technical support to many of the nation’s leading landscape architectural and architectural firms on a wide variety of project profiles including engineered soils, urban agronomy, green roof technology, performance sports turf, maintenance programming and irrigation engineering. The firm has received over 60 separate design and leadership awards for innovation and creativity.
Shopping for a Synthetic Turf Surface - You’ve decided that synthetic turf is right for your facility, it is time to shop for one. Learn about life spans, maintenance requirements, installation requirements, and more. Mr. Jonathan Huard of Field Turf Corporation will cover the ins and outs of shopping for a surface.
Maintaining and Grooming Synthetic Turf Surfaces -
Your new synthetic field is in and ready for play. How do you take care of it? Unfortunately, you can’t install a synthetic field and forget it. There are maintenance requirements to keep your field in playable shape. Learn about maintaining the playing surfaces to meet your needs from Joe Creeden. Mr. Creeden is the Supervisor of Grounds for Elgin Public School District.
Synthetic Field Maintenance Forum
Listen to the experts speak from experience. Be prepared for the closing portion of this day, and bring your questions. Randy Stoneberg, Grounds Foreman for Northwestern University Athletics, Bill Wolsfeld, Grounds Foreman for Wheaton College will join Joe Creeden on a panel discussion.
Electrical Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Carl Osterhaus form the Toro Company will teach this popular seminar. Learn to test, evaluate and diagnose electrical problems in your equipment. This seminar is designed to develop a technician’s understanding of electrical circuitry used in the turf equipment industry. Many examples of real world problems will be presented, along with solutions.
EETC Certification Testing
Sponsored and proctored by the Turf Equipment Technician’s Association, Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) test will be offered for those who wish to attain certification. Please note an extra fee of $45 will be collected onsite for those wishing to take any EETC certification exam. For more information on these exams and study materials, please visit EETC.org
Lawn Care Roundtable
If you are in the lawn care industry, this is the session for you. Four main topics will be covered in this roundtable discussion including: Products and Equipment, Organic Programs, Up-selling Additional Services, and Emerald Ash Borer Control Strategies. Industry professionals, Lyle Yunker of TriCounty Stockdale, and Dan Alsip of Lesco, Dr. Tom Voigt of the University of Illinois, Harold Enger of Spring Green and John Turner of Bayer Environmental Science will offer their knowledge throughout this session.
Preparing for a Department of Agriculture Inspection
When was the last time your facility was inspected? Make sure you are up to date with the latest rules and regulations regarding pesticide use and storage. A representative from the Illinois Department of Agriculture will share the most common infractions found during their inspections. Make sure your facility is operating in a safe and lawful manner.
Organic Products for Lawn Care
Are you getting more questions from your clients about organics that can be used on their lawn? Do you want to develop an organic lawn care program that will meet the demands of your clients. Come to this session and learn about the products available to you and develop a solid organic program you can sell.
Soil Testing in the Lawn Care Industry
Ever have a problem lawn that you just can’t seem to get right? Ever take a soil test? Learn why you should and more importantly how to make sense of the results. This session will cover the basics of preparing a sample, analyzing the results and creating a fertility program to balance soil fertility. Dr. Nick Christians of Iowa State University will present this talk. Dr. Christians has developed soil testing techniques for sand-based soil systems, remote sensing of nutritional and moisture stress of turf, physiological response of grass to mowing, and the control of creeping bentgrass in Kentucky bluegrass.
10 Reasons I Won’t Work For You
Mr. Bill Hoopes, founder of Delaware, Ohio-based Grass Roots Training, has been working in the lawn-service industry for almost 25 years as a manager at The Scotts Co. and then at Barefoot Grass, spending much of that time in the training department. Any time employees left the company, he called each one to have a candid conversation about why they left. Contrary to what employees tell their bosses when they quit, the real reason has nothing to do with pay. Money can lure people to a job, but it’s not the factor that causes them to quit, Hoopes says. Learn the real reasons that employees leave your company in this popular talk designed for any manager in the green industry.
Topdressing and the Use of Organic Fertilizers
Dr. Andy McNitt of Penn State University will discuss the impacts these two practices have on your turf. Topdressing is becoming more and more popular as an effective means to grow high quality uniform turf. Learn how to design a topdressing program and an organic fertilizer program can produce healthy and high-quality turf.
Safety in the Rough -Risks, Hazards and Controls in the modern Landscaping and Turfgrass Industries
A critical look at staff safety, workers compensation, and strategies for injury and cost control. As business owners, superintendents, and managers, controlling costs and a quality product go hand in hand. Staff safety is an integral part of relationship between quality and productivity. During this session we will dig into the safety, quality, productivity triangle and it’s effect on cost and workers compensation, reviewing strategies and practical application of safety in your workplace.
Lawn Care Thursday General Session
Seeding for Lawn Care - All You Need to Know (8:00 to 9:00 a.m.)
Dr. Tom Voigt of the University of Illinois will share his expertise about turf seed, seeding and seedling survival. Learn how to make the most your seeding efforts and turn seeding into a profitable part of your business. Learn different methods for overseeding, seedling fertility needs and irrigation requirements.
Coaches Win, Bosses Lose (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
You will get the facts about why so many managers struggle to keep dedicated people on staff. The presentation includes lots of audience participation and focuses on specific actions you can take now to keep more of the right people. You’ll learn why people quit and what to do about it. You will leave this presentation armed with specific actions you can begin using in your company the day you return. And you’ll see results immediately! You’ll get practical, useable action recommendations. Importantly, the ideas and actions recommended are easy for every manager to build into your operations..no psych degree required.
Renovating Kentucky Bluegrass Lawns (10:00 to 11:00 a.m.)
Do you have clients that request renovation services. Don’t know where to start? Dr. Ken Diesburg of Southern Illinois will explain surefire methods to renovating and re-establishing turf in the most demanding landscapes. Dr. Diesburg will teach you to look at the whole picture of the turf environment and solve the problem, not just prolong it.
Organic Weed Control with Corn Gluten Meal (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
Want to learn about an alternative for weed control in turf? Dr. Nick Christians of Iowa State University will give you his results from studies conducted using corn gluten meal, (corn byproducts) to control weeds. Learn about effective procedures for using these products including rates, timings and application methods. Dr. Christians’ area of research interest is in the development of naturally occurring herbicides for the turf industry.
Spring Facelifts for Tired Lawns (1:00 to 2:00 p.m.)
Weren’t happy with the way a few of your customer’s lawns looked this fall? Arm yourself with knowledge from Dr. Henry Wetzel as he gives you steps to take to rejuvenate those lawns this coming spring. Learn how to give them the jump start they need as temperatures warm. Lock your clients in for the rest of the season with your trust as you fix their lawns right out of the gate next spring.
Growing Grass in Shade (2:00 to 3:00 p.m.)
Dr. John Stier will present this ever popular topic. He will share with you results from research of how you can increase your turf cover in shaded sites. Learn about the micro-environment that shade creates. Understand the specialized fertility and irrigation needs of a turf growing in shade. Did you know you can improve turf in shade by changing your cutting height? Come to this seminar and find out why.
Solution Center - Trade Show Floor (3:00 p.m.)
Leave time in your schedule to visit the trade show floor and see products, programs and materials on display. Converse with vendors and see how you can fit new items into your lawn care programs for your clients. Stay on top of your industry.
Lawn Care General Session Friday
The Lawn Care Industry and the IPLCA Annual Meeting (8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
Mr. Ron Hall, Editor of Landscape Magazine will share his viewpoint on the year in review and factors that will affect the lawn care industry into the future. Join the newly formed Illinois Professional Lawn Care Association (IPLCA) as it conducts its first annual meeting. Want to find more out about this association? Plan to attend this meeting and network with other lawn care professionals. The meeting is open to all attendees of the IPTC.
Dealing with the Media (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
Mr. Harold Enger of Spring-Green will give insight on the best ways to handle the media. In this day where every story is spun to make headlines, make sure you are prepared for questioning. Learn to present yourself in a positive and professional manner no matter what the situation.
Effectiveness of Organic Insect Pest Controls (10:30 to 11:00 a.m.)
Dr. Phil Nixon, Entomologist at the University of Illinois will share research results and findings from trials on insect pest control with organic products. Dr. Nixon will present findings in an easy to understand format. Learn what to expect from many different organic control products in the lawn care industry. Find out what options you may have and how you may market them in your lawn care programs.
Turf Cup Championships - Trade Show Floor (11:00 a.m.)
Visit the floor one last time before the show closes and take part in the turf cup championships and compete for Nintendo Wiis and TVs.
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