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See you in Daytona Beach!

conference

2024 SFMA Conference and Exhibition
January 22nd – 25th, 2024

Registration for the 2024 Conference & Exhibition will open Fall of 2023
Questions? Email Whitney at wwebber@sportsfieldmanagement.org

SFMA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition allows members to share information with other successful members of the sports turf 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.

OCEAN CENTER DAYTONA BEACH
101 N. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386/254-4500

Conference Hotel Information

SFMA’s Conference Hotel is now OPEN for reservations!

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
100 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Room Rate is $199/night plus taxes and fees for single or double occupancy.  (Rate available through December 30, 2023 or until room block sells out).

Click here to make your reservation or call 386-254-8200 (use group code STMA24).
*Be sure to click “Edit Stay”, at the top of the page, to select your dates and number of guests.

Hard Rock Hotel 

918 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Phone: (386) 947-7300
4 minute drive and 22 minute walk.

NOTE: SFMA does NOT have any companies that will call or email you to set up hotel reservations, please disregard any hotel communications from outside companies as there have been scams circulating.


View the 2024 Conference Brochure or see detailed descriptions of all 2024 Conference Education Sessions.

Conference registration is OPEN! Click here to register for #SFMA2024.

Watch the 2023 SFMA Conference Recap Video Below

2024 Conference Information

2024 Conference Registration will open Fall of 2023!

Full Conference Registration includes admission to all Education Sessions, Welcome Reception, Awards Banquet, Trade Show and all meals provided during the conference.

Additional Registration options:
– Student Member, Full Conference – Participating in Student Challenge – Free Registration
– Student Member, Full Conference – NOT Participating in Student Challenge – $200.00
– Student Non-Member, Full Conference – $350.00
– One Day Package(s) – $260 per day (you may select up to 2 one day packages)
– Trade Show Only – $50

Registration Hours

Sun., Jan. 21    6:30 pm – 9 pm
Mon., Jan. 22   6:30 am – 5 pm
Tues., Jan. 23   7 am – 5 pm
Wed., Jan. 24   7 am – 5 pm
Thurs., Jan. 25  7 am – 12 pm

Exhibition Hours

Wed., Jan. 24    1:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Thurs., Jan. 25   10 am – 1 pm

To Exhibit, contact David Rosenberg at 401-662-3001 or davidnewportevents@gmail.com.

For questions, please call 800-323-3875

Conference Hotel Information

SFMA’s Conference Hotel is now OPEN for reservations!

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
100 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Room Rate is $199/night plus taxes and fees for single or double occupancy.

Click here to make your reservation or call 386-254-8200 (use group code STMA24).
*Be sure to click “Edit Stay”, at the top of the page, to select your dates and number of guests.

NOTE: SFMA does NOT have any companies that will call or email you to set up hotel reservations, please disregard any hotel communications from outside companies as there have been scams circulating.

Getting to Daytona Beach, FL

Visitors can fly non-stop into Daytona Beach International Airport via Delta (from Atlanta, ATL), American Airlines (from Charlotte, CLT) year round, with additional seasonal service via American Airlines from Philadelphia (PHL), Dallas/Ft. Forth (DFW) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). Check out our area airports for more transportation options. The Daytona Beach area is very accessible whether you are traveling by car or prefer to use local transportation options that include most major car rentals and ride share services, taxis, motor coach, and public transportation (Votran).

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO DAYTONA BEACH

Driving to the Daytona Beach area is easy, as two of the state’s major interstates intersect here – Interstate 95, which runs north and south and Interstate 4, which comes in from the west. Other major roads leading into the area include U.S. Highway 1; U.S. Highway 92; State Road 40, which connects to Interstate 75; and Highway A1A which runs along the beautiful Atlantic coastline.

Fort Lauderdale/Miami to Daytona BeachMap of Daytona Beach Florida

From Fort Lauderdale or Miami, take Interstate 95, North. Take exit numbers 261A through 273. Go east to reach the beachside areas.

Tampa and Orlando to Daytona Beach

Take Interstate 4 from Tampa or Orlando heading east. Take exit number 132A and go north on Interstate 95. At exit number 261A, take U.S. 92 / International Speedway Blvd. east to A1A and the beaches.

Jacksonville and St. Augustine to Daytona Beach

Head south on Interstate 95 to exit number 216A and head east on US-92 / International Speedway Blvd. to AIA and the beaches.

 

Distance to Daytona Beach from:

  • Orlando, 54 miles
  • St. Augustine, 62 miles
  • Kennedy Space Center, 63 miles
  • Jacksonville, 95 miles
  • Tampa, 139 miles
  • Fort Lauderdale, 230 miles
  • Miami, 254 miles

2024 Conference Education

Welcome to the 2024 Conference Education page! Here you will find presentations and handouts for education sessions occurring at SFMA's 35th Conference and Exhibition.

The 2024 education program offers informative and exciting presentations by speakers from across the United States.

ACCESS THE 2024 EDUCATION PROGRAM HERE.

 

For access to past conferences, see below:

Looking for presentations from a past conference? For 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 conference education, click here.

Exhibitor Resources

SFMA Annual Conference Exhibitor Resources

The 2024 SFMA Conference and Exhibition takes place in Daytona Beach, FL from January 22-25, 2024.

Attention 2024 SFMA Exhibitors!  
You should receive an email with information and instructions on how to register your Exhibit Booth Staff. The email is from SFMA with an email address of noreply@swoogo.com, and was sent to the person listed as the exhibition contact for your company. It is truly from SFMA. If you do not receive this email, please reach out to us at SFMAInfo@SportsFieldManagement.org.

2024 List of Exhibitors


Click here for the 2024 Exhibitor Services Kit

Exhibition Hours:

  • Wed., Jan. 24 – 1:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Thurs., Jan. 25 – 10 am – 1 pm

View the Trade Show Floor Plan

Exhibitors must be current members! To join or renew click Here. If you have questions please contact SFMA at wwebber@sportsfieldmanagement.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

Want to exhibit at the 2024 Conference? click here!

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 $5,000. You can ship the item with your exhibitor shipment or ship it directly to the winner!

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

Continuing Education

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 may be 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) – Pending approval
Irrigation Association (IA)
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

Pesticide Recertification Credits: Florida, Georgia
Note: Pesticide Recertification credits are only available for Florida and Georgia. If you are attending from another state and need pesticide recertification credits, you are responsible for contacting your state’s Department of Agriculture for approval.

Click here for a full 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 each education session.

Student Challenge

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 turfgrass science program and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports field management.

The 2024 SFMA Student Collegiate Challenge Study Guide is now available! Please be sure to thoroughly review the Study Guide in preparation for the competition.

The 2024 Student Challenge will take place Wednesday, January 24 from 2-4:30 pm at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Registration opens October 16, 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. You must be an SFMA member to participate.
All Student Challenge competitors are REQUIRED to register online before December 15. No paper registration forms will be accepted.

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

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 are not eligible to 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 Jennifer McLendon, SFMA Education Manager, with any questions regarding these policies at 800.323.3875 or jmclendon@sportsfieldmanagement.org.

2024 SFMA STUDENT HOTEL

Comfort Inn & Suites Daytona Beach Oceanfront
103 S Ocean Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Room Rate is $159/night plus taxes and fees for single or double occupancy.

Click here to make your reservation or call 386-252-2378.

Previous SFMA Student Challenge Winners

Click here for a complete list of Student Challenge winning teams.

Congratulations to all of the student participants in the 2023 SFMA Student Challenge! For final results, click here.

2023 Two Year Winners – Penn State Team 402
Nicholas Risso, Jacob Irvin, Garrett Taylor, Matthew Hamel

2023 Four Year Winners – Purdue Team 404
Emma Seward, Jacob Winger, Drew Coe, William Myrehn

Conference Guidelines, Policies and Permissions

Policies

  • Pre-registration pricing is only available until January 12, 2024. After that date, all registrations will be at the onsite rates.

If you are registering after January 12th, you will need to bring your registration form with you to register onsite at SFMA Attendee Registration located in the Ocean Center starting Monday morning.

Please do not have your office email or fax it to SFMA HQ after January 12th. 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 the conference.
– Email Cancelation requests to: SFMAInfo@SportsFieldManagement.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.

Speaker Resources

SFMA’s Call for Presentations is now Closed

Be a part of SFMA’s 2024 annual conference from January 22-25 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Share your ideas and expertise by being a presenter for the education sessions. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to share your experience and increase your visibility within the sports field management profession. All submissions were due electronically to SFMA by April 7, 2023. Please contact Jennifer McLendon at 800-323-3875 or email, jmclendon@sportsfieldmanagement.org, if you have any questions about presenting or problems with the electronic form.

Why should you submit?
□ You have experience, expertise and ideas to share that would benefit your peers and/or constituents.
□ You would like to take your communication and presentation skills to the next level.
□ You would like to increase your visibility within the sports field management profession.
□ You may earn 1 industry service point, per presentation, towards CSFM recertification.

What are the criteria for selection?
Successful submittals will:
□ Be relevant to the sports field management profession.
□ Include a clear and concise description of the presentation.
□ Include clearly defined and detailed learning objectives.
□ Feature a qualified presenter.

Commercial members are encouraged to submit presentations. However, to be successful in the selection process, please consider the following:
□ These education sessions are not to be used to promote particular products, services, or companies.
□ Providing a complete and detailed description of your presentation is highly recommended. The Conference Education Committee completes a thorough review to be sure the presentation is not promoting products, services, or companies.
□ We encourage you to submit presentations on new technologies and innovations that will benefit the sports field industry.
□ Co-presenting with a practitioner or academic may provide a more comprehensive presentation for attendees.

A few things you should know:
□ The conference takes place January 22-25 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The exact time and length of each program will be determined later.
□ All selected presenters will be required to sign a speaker contract.
□ All selected presenters will receive complimentary conference registration. Other benefits, such as travel, lodging, and an honorarium, will be defined in the subsequent speaker contract.
□ SFMA reserves the right to limit the number of speakers for presentations depending on session duration.
□ SFMA may audio and/or video record conference programs. Presenters will not receive any compensation for any eventual sales of the recordings, but may receive a complimentary recording of their program upon request. Presenters may not opt out of recording unless the presentation contains sensitive information.
□ Presenters are expected to provide PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and any related articles to SFMA prior to the conference. SFMA posts materials on the website for conference attendees to use as supplements for furthering their education. SFMA will secure all information to protect speaker materials.
□ Submittals will be reviewed by the SFMA Conference Education Committee and notification of selection will take place in early June.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Jennifer McLendon, SFMA Education Manager – 800-323-3875 or jmclendon@sportsfieldmanagement.org.

SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION HERE

Future SFMA Conference Locations

2024 – Daytona Beach, FL

January 22-25, 2024

2025 – Palm Springs, CA

January 12-16, 2025

2026 – Fort Worth, TX

January 18 -22, 2026

Previous conference locations

  • 2023 – Salt Lake City, UT
  • 2022 – Savannah, Georgia
  • 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