Grounds professionals looking to get the most up to date information on sustainability, particularity the latest in organic materials, techniques and practices, should make sure they are in Louisville Oct. 23-26 for the Professional Grounds Management Society's (PGMS) 2013 School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO.

PGMS lining up school of grounds management for GIE+EXPO

Grounds professionals looking to get the most up to date information on sustainability, particularity the latest in organic materials, techniques and practices, should make sure they are in Louisville Oct. 23-26 for the Professional Grounds Management Society’s (PGMS) 2013 School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO. “Organic” is the buzz word for this year’s event offering eleven different education programs, a pre-conference field trip, live concerts, networking and much more!


PGMS will kick off the 2013 School on Wednesday, Oct. 23 with a pre-conference field trip to Huber’s Orchard, Winery and Vineyards. The tour will be followed by a welcoming reception. Eleven education programs will be offered during the GIE+EXPO Thursday and Friday at the Kentucky Exposition Center. PGMS courses will continue to emphasize organic practices with topics such as “Organic Pest Control,” “Sustainable Irrigation Methods through New Technologies” and “Organic Landscape Management for the Professional” among others. PGMS will host a Speaker Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 26. From 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Chris Wiesinger, owner of the Southern Bulb Company, will present “Bulbs and Their Companions” and from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Jeff McManus, CGM, director of landscape services, golf and airport operations at the University of Mississippi, will present “Turning Weeders into Leaders!”


Grounds professionals interested in taking the first steps to earn a certificate in the School of Grounds Management (SGM) may earn Continuing Education Units at the School of Grounds Management. Strategically integrated into the schedule of events offered at the GIE+EXPO, the PGMS School focuses on four core competencies of grounds management. Those who complete the entire program (usually taking two years) are awarded an SGM certificate by PGMS.


Helping PGMS develop its dynamic education program are its Elite Partners. These industry giants include:


Platinum Partners John Deere and Toro; Gold Partners Bartlett Tree Experts, Kawasaki Motors Corp, Proven Winners; Silver Partners Bayer, Cutting Edge Grass Seed, Husqvarna, Davey Tree Experts, Earth Planter and Hunter; and Bronze Partners Echo, Jacks Small Engines and Ditch Witch.


More information on the SGM program can be found at http://pgms.org/certifications/school-of-grounds-management/. Details and registration information for the PGMS School of Grounds Management is available online at http://pgms.org/2013schoolgroundsmanagement/.