New Opportunities for a New Decade

This is my first article for the ATA magazine as well as the first of the new decade. First and foremost I’d like to thank the outgoing President Kyle Sanders for his many years of service as a board member and the last year as the President. Under his leadership we have seen new opportunities to learn and grow as turfgrass professionals. Kyle has brought us the annual awards for excellence in the turf industry which are given out at the yearly conference in Hot Springs, as well as bringing Big Red Stores as an association sponsor. When Kyle approached me to join the Board back in 2016, I was honored and eager to serve and make the association thrive. Our Board is made up of many different people from all areas of the turfgrass industry, people that I respect and who share my same passion for what I do.

Our 2020 turfgrass show was a success and there are many people to thank for that being possible. I’d like to thank our sponsors and exhibitors, without them we couldn’t have a show; our speakers who give of their time and wisdom; our Board members that spend almost a year planning and working the conference; and finally, our attendees that take the time to travel to Hot Springs. We take seriously the feedback that we get from all areas and will work diligently to accommodate as many of those ideas as we possibly can.

As we look forward to 2021 and beyond, there will no doubt be changes to the show that need to be implemented. Our goal has been and will always be to learn and be the best we can be. I appreciate this opportunity and encourage you to reach out to us for any of your concerns or questions.

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Richard Covert

President

Arkansas Turfgrass Association

Richard Covert, ATA President