Thursday, March 5, 2015

San Antonio exceeds expectations for GIS and GCSAA Golf Championships

I’m writing this blog at 37,000 feet on my way back from the Golf Industry Show and reflecting on what was a terrific 10 days in San Antonio. It’s an honor to represent our 17,000-plus members and a privilege to work with all the staff and board of directors at GCSAA. Working together, we are able to put on a great event for our members, exhibitors and guests.

It started with the GCSAA Golf Championships, that featured more than 460 members participating in a variety of formats at some of the best golf facilities in San Antonio. While the unseasonably cool weather forced us to cancel the final round of the National Championship (the weather-shortened event was won by Matt Cowan, superintendent at the Crenshaw Cliffside Course at Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas), we were able to complete the Golf Classic. Hats off to our members who stuck out temperatures in the low 30s to finish up. A special congratulation goes out to members from my region that captured the championship in their respective flights including Jim Alwine of Bernardo Heights Country Club; Craig Johnson of Belmont Country Club; Scott Main of Mauna Kea Resort; and James Ward of the City of Los Angeles Parks & Recreation. Full results are available at http://www.golfindustryshow.com/gcsaa-golf-championships.

The Golf Industry Show came back to San Antonio for the first time in 37 years and the city didn’t disappoint. While overall attendance for the Golf Industry Show was slightly down from the 2014 event in Orlando - at approximately 12,400 - the final number of seminar seats sold, was up. A total of 5,385 seminar seats were filled - 3 percent higher than Orlando. In addition, thousands attended complimentary forums, sessions and panel discussions throughout the week. Subject matter making up 385 hours of education included agronomics, business, environmental management, communications, leadership, technology and personnel management. A total of 5,600 qualified buyers attended the two-day trade show, which included 551 exhibitors (a 2 percent increase over projections) covering 182,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Exhibitors across the board were pleased with the attendance and their interactions with buyers. For an in-depth look at the week, visit the GIS social hub at http://www.golfindustryshow.com/social-hub.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t congratulate Kevin Breen, CGCS at La Rinconada Country Club of Los Gatos, Calif., on being appointed to the GCSAA board of directors. The southwest region is in good hands with Kevin and veteran board member Rafael Barajas, CGCS at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, Calif.

Again, we appreciate the support of everyone who attended GIS in San Antonio and if you have any questions concerning the event please follow up with me at jjensen@gcsaa.org. I look forward to seeing you at many of the upcoming events throughout the southwest region.



Field Staff with the always entertaining David Feherty at GIS in San Antonio. 

1 comment:

  1. This place was amazing! Great food, it's smaller than others I guess but it is still a fair sized fun. The decor at this venue was amazing as every note of music reverberates off the beautiful walls. Everything about this convention center is nothing less than 5 stars.

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