Thank you!

Thank you for being a part of an innovative industry! 2018 is over which only means you better have plans in place for 2019 or you are behind. I hope you had a chance November 7th to accept the hospitality of the Tennessee Smokies in Kodak, Tennessee at our fall education and networking session. It is always a pleasure to be in the Smokies during autumn months of the year.

We have just attended The Tennessee Turfgrass Association Conference, January 7th-9th at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, TN. This was the time of our Annual Meeting and Election of Officers. We had open positions for the following Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association Board:

• At-Large (2)

• Secretary Treasurer

• Commercial Vice President (ascends to President elect, President, and Past President positions).

All leadership positions are one-year terms.

Also, now is the time to make TVSTMA Sponsorship Commitments:

• TriStar

• Smoky Mountain

• Blues and BBQ

• Music Row

Please visit the following link for benefits to Sponsorships https://tvstma.org/catalog.php?cat=2 Later in January we will convene in Phoenix, Arizona for the Sports Turf Managers Association Conference and Exhibition January 22nd-25th. https:// www.stma.org/conference/ It is always thrilling to group as the Tennessee crowd at the National Conference. Call me when you are in Phoenix at (615) 946-8547.

February 26th The City of Franklin Parks Department will host TVSTMA for Education and Networking. Be sure to attend to hear about “Bluemuda” and how Bluegrass & Bermuda may coexist year-round in Franklin, Tennessee.

July 31st 2019 will be our Second Annual Field Day of demonstrations. The event is hosted by Pigeon Forge Parks & Recreation. Things went well in Columbia at Ridley Park, and we hope to improve on this event each year as well as the attendance. Please invite anyone that may be interested in the resources we use for sports field cultural practice.

We anticipate our 2019 Autumn Education and Networking event to take place in West Tennessee. The site has not yet been confirmed, but please keep looking at www.tvstma.org to save the date and location in West Tennessee.

Please take the time to reflect on your service to the industry. The cliché’ is true “You get out what you put in”. Make the investment into TVSTMA to meet someone, gain education, give education or perhaps forgive a perception. Keep the network working by working the network!

Marty Kaufman, CSFM

Marty Kaufman, CSFM