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See you in Savannah!

conference

2022 SFMA Conference and Exhibition
January 17th, 2022- January 20th, 2022

Registration is now open!

Click here to register for the 2022 SFMA Conference & Exhibition!

SFMA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition allows members to share information with other successful members of the sports field industry at exciting locations. In addition to educational seminars, hands-on workshops and the latest technology on display, conference attendees are able to tour professional, college and municipal facilities that offer a range of insights to take back home.

Savannah Convention Center
One International Drive
Hutchinson Island
Savannah, Georgia 31402
https://www.savconventioncenter.com/

Register for the 2022 SFMA Conference & Exhibition!

COVID Policies and Procedures

SFMA registrations are open, and we are looking forward to hosting the industry’s family reunion Jan. 17-20, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia.

The SFMA conference organizers are working with the Safety Office at the Savannah Convention Center, and we have added the following precautions:

  • An Emergency Medical Technician on-site to take temperatures and be a resource for attendees;
  • Adjusted the educational sessions’ seating to accommodate social distancing recommendations.

In addition to adhering to strict cleaning protocols and having hand sanitizer throughout the facility, all Savannah Convention Center personnel will be wearing masks. The City of Savannah requires masks in all city-owned buildings; the Savannah Convention Center, however, is not owned by the city.

SFMA strongly advises attendees to be vaccinated and to wear a mask at conference indoor events per the CDC guidelines. SFMA will have masks available. The situation remains fluid, and we will update you as the state, city and hotels update their protocols.

Here is the CDC’s most recent recommendations for large and small gatherings.

Omicron Variant guidelines: Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know | CDC

City of Savannah requires masks in all city-owned buildings.

The Savannah Convention Center is not owned by the city. 

 

Hotel Information

Homewood Suites
611 East River Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
912-355-0025
Group Name: Sports Turf Managers Association 2022
$164 per night

To make a reservation at the Homewood Suites, click here.

The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
1 Resort Drive
Savannah, Georgia 31421
Phone: 912-201-2000
$199 per night

To make a reservation at the Westin, click here.

Hyatt Regency Savannah
2 W. Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Phone: 912-238-1234
concierge@hyatt.com

To make your reservation at the Hyattclick here. You can also call 877-803-7534 and ask for the SFMA Conference Rate.

For a List of Conference Exhibitors and Sponsors Click Here

Click the Image Below for the 2022 Conference Brochure

Watch Highlights Below from the 2020 Conference in West Palm Beach.

Conference Cancellations

Cancellations after Dec 15th – if you get Covid – we can refund your registration with proof of a positive covid test with your name and date from a testing facility (pharmacy, doctor, covid screening facility, medical company, etc) is required. Covid home tests are not accepted. You can send your cancelation request and positive test result proof to ndunnaway@stma.org.

Schedule at a Glance

Mon., Jan. 17

6:30-8 am   Continental Breakfast

8 am-5 pm   Golf – A fundraiser for the SAFE Foundation

12-5 pm       Volunteer Field Rebuild

1:15-5 pm    Education and Demos

6-9 pm       Bowling – A fundraiser for the SAFE Foundation.

Tues., Jan. 18

6:30-8 am    Continental Breakfast

8-9:30 am    General Session Panel – Strategies to Overcome Labor Shortages. Moderator: Keith Winter; Panelists: John Sorochan, Ph.D., Andrew Miller, Tyler Bloom, Abby McNeal, CSFM CPRP, CABI

9:45-10:45 am Concurrent Education Sessions

11 am-12 pm  Concurrent Education Sessions

12-2           Break

Women’s Forum & Lunch

2-3:15 pm     Concurrent Education Sessions

3:30-5pm      Concurrent Education Sessions

5-6 pm        Chapter Officers Training. Chapter Board members are invited to a facilitated discussion on research-based guidance from successful chapters.

6 -7 pm       First Timers/International/CSFM Reception. Appropriate ribbon required to attend.

7-7:30 pm     Live Auction

7:30-10 pm   Welcome Reception

Wed., Jan. 19

6:30-8 am    Continental Breakfast

8-9:15 am     Concurrent Education Sessions

9:30-10:45 am Concurrent Education Sessions

11 am-1:15 pm KeynoteInspired Leadership in Challenging Times. Craig Whelden; Annual Meeting and Lunch

1:30-6:30 pm   Trade Show

2-4:30 pm       Student Challenge

Thurs., Jan. 20

6:30-8 am      Continental Breakfast

8-10 am        Concurrent Education Sessions

10:00 am-1 pm  Trade Show & Lunch in the Expo Hall

1:15-5:15 pm   Seminar on Wheels

1:30-3 pm     Concurrent Education Sessions

6:30-10 pm    Reception, Awards Banquet

ROI of Attending Conference

ROI analysis allows decision makers to determine the financial return from training by comparing net program benefits—benefits minus costs—to costs. ROI is calculated by taking the net benefits of training, dividing by training/education costs, and then multiplying the result by 100. ROI is always expressed as a percentage.

Net Program Benefits – Costs x 100 = ROI

Program Costs

The calculated ROI for the conference can yield a 5334 % return on investment for each facility that sends its sports field manager. This high rate of return provides an amazing value back to the sports facility. Even if only half of the resource savings ideas learned at the conference are applied, the ROI is more than 2500 percent – which is still a remarkable value. For the detailed case study, click here. 

Getting to Savannah

The Savannah Convention Center is easily accessible from most of the Southeast via two major interstates. It’s also easy to reach from most of the country via Amtrak, and even easier through the acclaimed Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport, which offers more than a dozen direct flights from major cities daily.

 

SFMA Annual Conference Exhibitor Resources

Exhibitors must also be current members! To join or renew click Here.  If you have questions please contact SFMA at stmainfo@stma.org

Marketing & Events is SFMA’s Conference Exhibition Partner. If you are interested in exhibiting at the SFMA Conference & Exhibition, or are already signed up as an exhibitor and have questions about your booth, contact Marketing & Events at:

David Rosenberg
Davidnewportevents@gmail.com
866-847-8623

Trade Show Floorplan (as of 1.7.22)

2022 Trade Show Hours

Wednesday, January 19th 1:30pm-6:30pm

Thursday, January 20th  10am-1pm

Full Exhibitor Kit

Exhibitor Quick Facts

Lead Retrieval Information

Lead Retrieval Order Form

For a List of Conference Exhibitors and Sponsors Click Here

Project Evergreen/SFMA Field Rebuild

Sports Turf Managers Association and Project EverGreen are teaming up once again to complete a volunteer field renovation in conjunction with SFMA’s annual conference.

We are kindly asking for donations to contribute making this rebuild a success.

Please email Cindy Code, Executive Director of Project Evergreen, at cindycode@projectevergreen.com if your company would like to supply one (or more) of the needed items.

Click here for the full scope of the project and a list of items needed!

SAFE Foundation-Live Auction Items Needed!

By donating to our live auction, you are putting your product in front of our attendees in more places than just your booth – as well as giving them a chance to try it out, and potentially scoring a new customer! In the past we’ve had items range anywhere from $5 to $1,500. You can ship the item with your exhibitor shipment or ship it directly to the winner!

If you are interested in donating, please email wwebber@stma.org and I will send the donation form.

Policies

  • Pre-registration is only available until Jan. 4, 2022. After that date, all registrations will be on-site.

If you are registering after Jan. 4th, you will need to bring your registration form to conference with you and register at SFMA Attendee On-Site Registration desk located in the Savannah Convention Center starting Tuesday morning.

Please do not have your office fax it to SFMA HQ after Jan. 4th. It cannot be processed.

  • New First Time Member Free Registration Promotion: All New Member Free Registrations must be done online. You need to login in, pay for your New First Time Member Dues then go back in to register for your free registration.

These will not be processed over the phone, by mail, email or fax.

 Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be in writing and received by December 15th. All cancelations are subject to a $50 processing fee. NO refunds will be issued after December 15th.

Refunds will be issued within 30 days after conference.

Email Cancelations to: stmainfo@stma.org

 

If the conference & exhibition is cancelled for any cause beyond SFMA’s control, registration fees will be refunded at pro rata basis based on the expenses incurred at the date of cancellation.

SFMA holds event cancelation insurance that will be used to provide the most equitable refunds possible.

Refunds will NOT be provided to registrants who are unable to attend due to weather.

Policies, Requests and Permissions

  • If you have any reasonable accommodation, special needs or meal requests, please contact SFMA Headquarters by December 15th.
  • SFMA will not accept registrations from countries that are being sanctioned by the U.S.
  • Photography Permission: A professional photographer will be documenting conference events. By registering for the conference, you give permission for SFMA to use all photos with your likeness.
  • 2021-Virtual
  • 2020 – West Palm Beach, Florida
  • 2019 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2018 – Fort Worth, Texas
  • 2017 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2016 – San Diego, California
  • 2015 – Denver, Colorado
  • 2014 – San Antonio, Texas
  • 2013 – Daytona Beach, Florida
  • 2012 – Long Beach, California
  • 2011 – Austin, Texas
  • 2010 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2009 – San Jose, California
  • 2008 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2007 – San Antonio, Texas
  • 2006 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2005 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2004 – San Diego, California
  • 2003 – San Antonio, Texas
  • 2002 – Las Vegas, Nevada
  • 2001 – Tampa, Florida
  • 2000 – St. Louis, Missouri
  • 1999 – Mesa, Arizona
  • 1998 – Orlando, Florida
  • 1997 – Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • 1996 – Anaheim, California
  • 1995 – Bradenton, Florida
  • 1993 – Baltimore, Maryland
  • 1992 – Indianapolis, Indiana
  • 1991 – San Diego, California
  • 1990 – Houston, Texas
  • 1989 – Vero Beach, Florida
2022 – Savannah, GA

January 17-20, 2022

2023 – Salt Lake City, UT

January 16-19, 2023

2024 – Daytona Beach, FL

January 22-25, 2024

2025 – Palm Springs, CA

Dates TBD

The SFMA Student Challenge is presented in partnership with the SAFE Foundation, Founding Partner Hunter Industries and supporting sponsor Ewing. Each year students from 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities across the country compete in an exam that challenges knowledge in the sports field industry. The winning teams receive a cash award, a plaque and medallions for each team member. The prize money benefits the institution’s fieldgrass science program and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports field management.

The 2022 SFMA Student Challenge will take place on Wednesday, January 19 from 2-4:30 pm at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. Registration for the Student Challenge opens on October 15, so start thinking about your team now! A maximum of four undergraduates can compete on a team and must declare if they are representing a two-year or four-year institution. Competitors receive complimentary conference registration. If you are not an SFMA member, you must include your dues payment with registration. All Student Challenge competitors are REQUIRED to register online before December 15. No paper registration forms will be accepted. Please contact Kristen Althouse at kalthouse@stma.org with questions about the Student Challenge.

The 2022 Study Guide is now available – Click Here to Access

The SFMA Student Challenge is presented in partnership with the SAFE Foundation, Founding Partner Hunter Industries, and supporting sponsor Ewing.

Note: SFMA Education Manager Kristen Althouse oversees the Student Challenge. She teaches first-year botany students who are in a two-year program at Penn State University. These first year students do not participate in the Student Challenge. She also has signed a binding, non-disclosure agreement. For questions or concerns, please contact SFMA CEO, Kim Heck, kheck@stma.org, ph. 800-323-3875.

SFMA Student Challenge Participant Code of Conduct and Eligibility Requirements

Code of Conduct
As a participant in the SFMA Student Challenge and a guest of SFMA, SAFE, and the sponsors of the event, all participating students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous and responsible manner while at the SFMA Conference and Exhibition.

Eligibility 
Participants in the SFMA Student Challenge competing on a two-year team may compete in no more than three total Student Challenge events.
Participants in the SFMA Student Challenge competing on a four-year team may compete in no more than five total Student Challenge events.
Students who have transferred from a two-year program to a four-year program may compete in up to five total Student Challenge events.
Graduate students may not participate.

Terms
Should a student be deemed to be in violation of policies by authorized SFMA staff or volunteers, the team/school that the student represents may be disqualified from current and future SFMA Student Challenge competitions and will be asked to pay for the Conference registration of all team members and forfeit all awards.  Please contact SFMA with any questions regarding these policies at 800.323.3875 or SFMAInfo@SFMA.org.

Previous SFMA Student Challenge Winners

2021 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – University of Maryland Team 2
Four Year Competition –
University of Maryland Team 1

2020 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition
– Mt. San Antonio College – Team 209
Four Year Competition
– Penn State University – Team 403

2019 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition
– Penn State University – Team 203
Four Year Competition
– Iowa State University – Team 424

2018 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition
– Mt. San Antonio College – Team 208
Four Year Competition
– Iowa State University – Team 401

2017 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College – Team 207
Four Year Competition 
– Penn State University – Team 422

2016 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College – Team 208
Four Year Competition – 
Penn State University – Team 409

2015 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Penn State University – Team 207
Four Year Competition – University of Maryland – Team 414

2014 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – 
Mt. San Antonio College – Team 202
Four Year Competition – 
University of Maryland – Team 410

2013 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – 
Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Team 202
Four Year Competition – University of Maryland – Team 412

2012 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Kirkwood Community College Team 204
Four Year Competition – 
Purdue University Team 402

2011 Student Challenge Champions

Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College Team 206
Four Year Competition – Purdue University Team 415

2010 Student Challenge Champions 
Two Year Competition – Penn State University Team 207
Four Year Competition – Penn State University Team 409

2009 Student Challenge Champions 
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College Team 102
Four Year Competition – Penn State University Team 009

2008 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Penn State University Team 104
Four Year Competition – Penn State University Team 008

2007 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College Team 14
Four Year Competition – University of Tennessee Team 24

2006 Student Challenge Champions 
Purdue University Team 9

2005 Student Challenge Champions
Penn State University

Increase your professionalism by taking advantage of the continuing education units (CEUs) offered at the SFMA Conference each year. Earn up to 1.5 CEUs through SFMA. In addition to SFMA, the following professional organizations are providing CEUs for attending education sessions at the conference:

American Sports Builders Association (ASBA)
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

Pesticide Recertification Credits: Georgia*

*Pesticide Recertification credits will only be available for Georgia. If you are attending from another state and are in need of pesticide recertification credits, you are responsible for contacting your state’s Department of Agriculture for approval.

CLICK HERE for a complete listing of sessions that qualify for CEUs.

See the onsite brochure for a detailed listing of education sessions that qualify for CEUs and recertification credits. Be sure to sign in using the appropriate form during the education sessions.

The 2022 Call for Presentations has closed.  If you submitted a proposal, you will be notified of selection by early June.  The 2023 Call for Presentations will open in March 2022.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Kristen Althouse, SFMA Education Manager – 800-323-3875 or kalthouse@stma.org.

Welcome to the 2022 Conference Education page! Here you will find presentations and handouts for education sessions occurring at SFMA's 33rd Conference and Exhibition.

The 2022 education program offers informative and exciting presentations by speakers from across the United States. Filter through conference education:

Filter by DATE/TIME

 

Looking for presentations from a past conference? For 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 conference education, click here.