RACING TOWARDS TURF 10
01 Mar 2010
Turf 10 is the year's premier turf event that combines Turf Australia and the Sports Turf Association's Annual Conference and Expo, and brings together all aspects of turf growing and turf care.
Turf 10 is the year's premier turf event that combines Turf Australia and the Sports Turf Association's Annual Conference and Expo, and together with a Race Day finale will bring together all aspects of turf growing and turf care.
‘Back to Grass Roots' is the event's theme that many from the turf producer and turf management sectors can relate, as recent economic and weather conditions continue to apply pressure on the industry.
Launching the program of events for Turf 10 recently, Turf Australia's Conference Convenor Greg Miller commented on the uniqueness of the event.
'We've decided for this year on a back-to-basics, grass-roots approach. By holding the Conference and Expo at one location and combining both industry sectors, as well as having a family-friendly focus, we hope to hold an event that reflects what the industry's all about.
"Having both industry sectors at one event will give us some great insight into our own industry as well as issues affecting the other side, and at the end of the day, it's got to make us all better at what we do," says Greg.
The conference will be held Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday April 15, 2010 at the Hawkesbury Race Club, Racecourse Road, Clarendon, situated between Richmond and Windsor in outer Sydney.
Being hailed as a first for the industry, this type of cross-industry event is likely to draw a range of participation from turf industry interests.
"Turf 10 will bring together various turf industry sectors, including turf producers, race course managers, managers of turf sports fields and various people from golf courses, schools, growing maintenance and councils who are interested in both turf production and maintenance," says Greg.
Wednesday's conference will present a diverse group of speakers covering the industry's hottest current topics including the most recent research and development programs.
"We're looking at a holistic approach to the speaking programme that’s relevant to both turf producers and carers, with the overall focus on the end-user, the customer. And bus trips to local venues in the afternoon will appeal to varying interests," says Greg.
Wednesday's activities will conclude with the conference dinner featuring guest speaker and entertainer Vince Sorrenti.
The expo on Thursday will feature static displays as well as some 8000 square metres of turf working displays.
"With the Conference, Expo and Race Day to be held at the one venue the event will also showcase a wide range of equipment and machinery, including the latest gadgets and gismos," says Greg.
Sponsorship support for the event has been positive to date with commitments from Toro, Conquest, Evergreen, Kings Pride, Miller's Turf, Elders Syngenta, Moffet and Trebo. There is also a large number of suppliers to the industry reportedly keen to be involved in the live demonstrations, and prospective exhibitors are encouraged to book their place early to avoid missing out.
"There's been a lot of enthusiasm around the live demo part of the expo and we're expecting a number of operators we don't normally see at these kind of displays," commented Greg.
"With a full race day program starting after the expo and a special delegate function arranged it's sure to be a terrific event. I look forward to seeing everyone there,” says Greg.