This year the 2009 Turfgrass Management students proved they were able to set up a professional symposium. The event, which was held at the Cutten Club in Guelph, hosted many industry professionals from around Ontario. Three industry professionals which included Dr. Tom Hsiang, a University of Guelph plant pathologist; Ron Schiedel of Green Horizons Compact Sod; and Keith Bartlett, Superintendent of St. Georges Golf and Country Club spoke at this year’s event. Each speaker had 45 minutes to provide their own experience on the topic of “Doing More with Less: Turf in Tough Times”
The symposium housed 126 turf industry professionals, including 60 first and second year turf students. This event was put on with the guidance of the three Turf Communications instructors, Owen Roberts, and Anne and Andrew Douglas. The whole purpose of this event was for the first year students to connect with industry professionals, get their names out in the business, and ultimately try to close an internship for the summer. Additionally, a large number of sponsors, including industry giants such as Turf Care, John Deere Golf and Syngenta, contributed generous donations which made this event possible. The event also included a “Beat the Clock” segment which involved five turf students providing their look into specific topics relating to the industry.
Overall I enjoyed this event; I personally think that it was well perceived by the attendees. The symposium included well rounded speakers, who most importantly made this event enjoyable. The speakers kept the show rolling, one after the other. We also made this event work! The class put on this stellar event in a few months, and it ended up being a truly professional event.
Posted by Owen on November 30, 2009 at 4:23 am
I agree – the word that keeps coming up with regards to this event is “professional.” I believe that’s because the class took so much care in preparing it. The venue was classy, too. It seemed like the kind of place you’d go to dressed in a suit.