December 9-11, Denver, Colo.
Highlights
Exciting Keynote
Craig Karges is this year’s keynote speaker. He combines the art of magic with the science of psychology and the power of intuition to create the impression that nothing is impossible. Tables float, minds are read, metal bends and your imagination is challenged because you won’t believe your eyes. Craig is indeed an extraordinist! He is an award-winning entertainer, a nationally recognized speaker and an author.
Same Great Location
Once again, the conference is returning to the same location this year. The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza – DIA (formerly Holiday Inn) located at 15500 East 40th Avenue, Denver, CO, close to I-70 and Chambers. You will enjoy on-site lodging, free parking, no downtown traffic, free airport shuttle and plenty of fast food restaurants within walking distance.
Opening Sessions and Award Presentations
This year, the opening session, including awards, scholarships, CSU research update and the very special keynote speaker, will run from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10. This allows you plenty of time to visit the exhibitor hall prior to and after the opening session before the conference sessions begin.
This year, the RMRTA will present the Distinguished Service award, the Turfgrass Professional of the Year award and the Colorado Turfgrass Foundation Scholarship recipients.
De-Turfing Hour
The ever-popular De-Turfing Hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the Trade Center. Join your colleagues for drinks, snacks and fun while bidding on great items donated by exhibitors and a variety of area organizations. All proceeds from the silent auction and the raffle benefit the Colorado Turfgrass Foundation for continued research.
If you would like to donate an item to the Silent Auction, contact the RMRTA office at 303-770-2220, or fill in the Silent Auction section on your registration form.
CEUs & CECs
Continuing education credits from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, GCSAA, STMA and others will be offered.
Trade Show
Again this year, admission is free for those attending only the trade show, however the two complimentary meals (Wednesday lunch and Thursday morning coffee and pastries) are provided only for paid conference attendees. The trade show will be open on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again on Thursday from 7 a.m. to noon.
Conference Program at a Glance
7 a.m.Registration
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Workshops
Wednesday, December 10
- 7 a.m.Registration, Trade Show Opens, Silent Auction and Raffle
- 8 – 10 a.m. Opening Session: Welcome, Annual Awards, Scholarships, CSU Research Update and Keynote Speaker, Craig Karges
- 10 – 11 a.m.Trade Show Opens
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Technical Program
- 4 – 6 p.m.De-Turfing Hour, Silent Auction and Raffle
Thursday, December 11
- 7 a.m.Registration and Trade Show
- 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.Technical Program
Full conference and trade show information is available at www.rmrta.org.
Sports Turf Track Program
Sports turf managers and anyone responsible for designing or maintaining athletic fields will find the Sports Turf Track beneficial.
Wednesday, December 10
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Organic Sports Turf Management
Mary Owen, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst Turf Program
- 2 – 3 p.m.Bermudagrass for Sports Turf in Colorado
Dr. David Kopec, University of Arizona, Plant Science Dept.
Dr. Tony Koski, Colorado State University
- 3 – 4 p.m. The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Sports Turf Management
Jeff Fowler, Venango County Cooperative Extension, Penn State University
Thursday, December 11
- 8 – 9 a.m.Managing & Planning of Sports Field Renovations
Dave Rulli, Jeffco Schools
- 9 – 9:30 a.m.Is My Field Safe?
Jeff Fowler, Venango County Cooperative Extension, Penn State University
- 9:30 – 10 a.m. Frequent Fertilization & Overseeding to Maintain Sports Turf Quality
Dr. Tony Koski, Colorado State University
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Specifications & Record Keeping
Abby McNeal, CSFM, CO School of Mines
Golf Track Program
The Golf Track offers seminars of interest to those in the golf industry.
Attention RMGCSAs: Earn GCSAA Education Points from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for attending Tuesday workshops and Wednesday and Thursday sessions.
Wednesday, December 10
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Poa Management in Bentgrass Greens
Dr. David Kopec, University of Arizona, Plant Science Department
- 1 – 2 p.m.Turf Sustainability
John L. Cisar, Ph.D., University of Florida
- 3 – 4 p.m.Saltgrass for Turf and Revegetation
Dr. Yaling Qian, Colorado State University
Thursday, December 11
- 8 – 9 a.m.A Year in Review for a USGA Rookie Agronomist
Derf Soller, USGA Green Section
- 9 – 9:30 a.m.35 Years in Turf Management 101
Dennis Lyon, City of Aurora Golf Division
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. The Colorado Front Range Japanese Beetle Infestation Update
Dr. Thaddeus Gourd, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Agent (Agriculture) for Adams County
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.CGA’s CommonGround Golf Course Project
Tracy Richard, superintendent, CommonGround Golf Course
Pesticide Applicators-CEC Track Program
The Continuing Education Credits (CEC) Track is designed to provide continuing education credits, applicable to maintaining certification and licenses. This year’s CEC track is designed for pesticide applicators. Other CEC/CEU classes are scheduled throughout the conference.
Wednesday, December 10
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Insect Pests of Turf
Dr. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University
- 1 – 2 p.m.Rules & Regs
Cara Meyers, Colorado Dept. of Agriculture
- 2 – 3 p.m.Emerging Disease Problems in the Intermountain Region
Dr. Ned Tisserat, Colorado State University
- 3 – 4 p.m.General Environmental Protection
Jaslyn Dobrahner, U.S. EPA – Region 8
Thursday, December 11
- 8 – 9 a.m.Applicator Safety
Dr. Sandra McDonald and Tara Steinke, Colorado State University
- 9 – 10 a.m.Environmental Protection
Dr. Sandra McDonald and Tara Steinke, Colorado State University
- 10 – 11 a.m.Public Safety
Dr. Sandra McDonald and Tara Steinke, Colorado State University
- 11 – 11:30 a.m.Use of Pesticides
Dr. Sandra McDonald and Tara Steinke, Colorado State University
- 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.Pesticides and Their Families
Dr. Sandra McDonald and Tara Steinke, Colorado State University
Service Track Program
The Service Track provides educational seminars for equipment managers or anyone who maintains equipment.
Wednesday, December 10
- 11 – 11:30 a.m.Converting a Shop to be Wheelchair Accessible
Zack Neumann, Ed MacDonald, City of Westminster
- 2 – 3 p.m.Biofuels & American Alternatives
Gina Baker, Hill Petroleum
- 3 – 4 p.m.Combustible Liquid Management
Doug Hall, Westminster Fire Dept.
Thursday, December 11
- 8 – 9 a.m.Sprayer Calibration
Craig McLaughlin, Professional Tree and Turf
- 9 – 10 a.m.Computer Diagnostics
Stuart Rasco, McPhilomy Commercial Products
- 10 – 11:30 a.m.Real Science and Optimum Cut Technology
Dan Adams, Foley United
Irrigation/Environmental Track Program
The Irrigation/Environmental Track offers seminars targeted to help anyone with questions about irrigation or irrigation systems.
Wednesday, December 10
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.How Colorado Weather Impacts the Turf Industry
Marty Coniglio, 9News
- 1 – 2 p.m. Conservation Programs and Incentives: Using GIS to Improve Efficiency
Timothy LaPan & Phil Segura, Denver Water
- 3 – 4 p.m.Controlling Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation and Algae
Brandon Mix, Josh Nehring, Aqua Sierra, Inc.
Thursday, December 11
- 8 – 9 a.m. Water Quality Characteristics and the Influence on Nutrient Availability
Rusty Oetker, Soil Horizons, Inc.
- 10 – 11:30 a.m.How to Get the Most of Your PVC Pipe Fittings
Kirk Fried, Spears Company
Craig Florence, Scott Smith, Dillon Company
Landscape Technology Track Program
The Landscape Technology Track is designed for those in the lawn care and landscape profession.
Wednesday, December 10
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.Impact of Effluent Water Irrigation
Dr. Yaling Qian, Colorado State University
- 2 – 3 p.m.Landscape Lighting-Design & Effects
Roger Ramsey, Ewing Irrigation Products
- 3 – 4 p.m. The Colorado Front Range Japanese Beetle Infestation Update
Dr. Thaddeus Gourd, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Agent (Agriculture) for Adams County
Thursday, December 11
- 8 – 9 a.m. Intelligent Use of Biostimulants and Humates in Managing Turf
Mary Owen, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts
- 9 – 10 a.m.Proper Maintenance for Ponds & Aeration Systems
Paul Govier, Paul’s Pond Service
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wastewater Effluent Reuse-Rules, Regulations & Safety Practices
Wayne Ramey, Ramey Environmental Compliance, Inc.
Workshop Programs
Tuesday, December 9
Educational workshops are offered on Tuesday, December 9. Come learn from respected members of the turfgrass industry on a variety of topics. Sign up soon-space is limited to 60 registrants for each workshop.
Synthetic Turf: Testing & Maintenance to Keep it Safe, Workshop #1, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Charles F. Mancino, Ph.D., CLC LABS/Synthetic Turf Testing Services
This workshop provides an in-depth overview of synthetic turf athletic fields. Specific topics include: the history and uses of synthetic turf; the construction process, including site selection, excavation, drainage, edge anchoring and the base aggregates. Carpet, infill and e-layer characteristics will be presented. Maintenance practices will focus on daily, weekly, monthly and annual activities.
Financial Planning for the Small Business Owner, Workshop #2, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
John Clagett, Cascade Financial Management, Inc.
This workshop provides basic financial concepts to help the small business owner with planning, such as types of retirement plans, and also various topics, such as diversification of assets outside your business, basic financial planning concepts such as insurance and wills and trusts, etc.
Landscape Conifers: ID and Problem Diagnosis, Workshop #3, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Robert Cox, Arapahoe County Extension
The first step in diagnosing a plant problem is to identify the plant. Knowing a plant’s identity allows comparison of its symptoms with what is known to be normal appearance. Knowing a plant’s identity allows the manager to research its most common local insect and disease problems or abiotic disorders. This workshop will focus on identification of commonly planted conifers and diagnosis of their problems in the landscape.
Wetting Agents, Workshop #4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
John L. Cisar, Ph.D., University of Florida
This seminar will discuss practical solutions to water availability and conservation through the use of surfactants. Topics covered will include identifying and alleviating localized dry spots, soil moisture improvement for enhanced turfgrass performance.
Hand-Held Power Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting, Workshop #5, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mike Hudson and Roger Reiman, Eagle Distributing, Inc.
The goal of this workshop is to keep you commercial hand-held power equipment working out in the field, and to make it last longer. A real world experience will be created by bringing in several pieces of hand-held power equipment that run poorly. Most of the units will have actual field failures. Attendee breakout groups will correct each unit maintenance problem and replace defective parts found during the basic troubleshooting checks. All skill levels will gain some knowledge because of the hands-on training. Additional instructors will be on hand to help.
Turf & Weedy Grass ID, Workshop #6, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Dr. Tony Koski and Sarah Wilhelm, Colorado State University
This workshop will discuss the need for proper grass ID for legal pest management purposes. We will discuss the fact that any grass species can be a weed when growing in the wrong place. Emphasis will be on how to use different resources (keys, books, Web sites) to assist in proper grass identification. Live samples will be provided. The majority of time spent on this workshop will be hands-on, learning how to properly identify the most common grasses encountered in Colorado lawns, parks, sports turf and golf courses.
2 Seasons in 1-Adapting to College Baseball at a Professional Level, Workshop #7, 1 – 5 p.m.
Jarad Alley and Shawn Moore, Albuquerque Isotopes
Josh Klute, Lincoln Saltdogs
The Isotopes’ field philosophy will be presented and will demonstrate how and why the field at Isotopes Park plays a vital role in the overall success of this AAA franchise. The discussion will touch on the challenges associated with maintaining a field that has college and professional baseball taking place simultaneously. It will focus on the maintenance practices and their adaptation to successfully manage a field with so much demand. The talk will also touch on the communication and cooperation that is necessary in order to schedule a high volume of games without sacrificing the quality of the playing surface. All of this must be accomplished within a budget and the basics of how will be discussed.
Soil Test Interpretation & Fertility Programming, Workshop #8, 1 – 5 p.m.
Dr. Tony Koski, Colorado State University
Dr. David Kopec, University of Arizona Plant Science Dept.
Charles F. Mancino, Ph.D., CLC LABS/Synthetic Turf Testing Services
No description available
Aquatic and Annual Plant Selection and Maintenance Workshop #9, 1 – 5 p.m.
Sarada Krishnan and Joe Tomocik, Denver Botanic Gardens
Hoticulture experts at the Denver Botanic Gardens will provide a four-hour enriching workshop on diverse landscaping topics. Topics covered will include using aquatic plants and native plants in the landscape, container gardening and ideas for using bulbs, annuals and other alternative turfgrasses.
