The SFMA Conference is Coming to Daytona Beach, FL in January!
The 2024 SFMA conference education program is assured to deliver impactful sessions and introduce new technologies to support your efforts in successfully managing your fields, facilities, and staff. The conference will take place January 22-25 and will highlight over 63 speakers presenting during 41 sessions. In addition, attendees will learn from our Keynote, General Session, and F.I.E.L.D. Luncheon speakers on various topics supporting success in the industry. We will also offer a post-conference program taking place virtually every Tuesday from January 30-February 20, 2024. Attending SFMA’s conference offers an all-access pass for these events as well as access to all educational sessions after the conference with a link for free downloads.
Within this article you will find strategies and suggestions to approach your employer about the benefits of attending. A step-by-step plan is also offered to guide this dialogue as well as an email template. Following up with your employer with the full conference brochure, which will be available in September, is the final suggested step in getting your attendance approved.
Education
The conference kicks off Monday afternoon with a Pre-Conference Education session from 1:15-5 pm. This causal come and go event offers access to top scientists in the turfgrass industry as they present 30-minute sessions with a Q & A session to follow.
Tuesday will begin with the General Session featuring Phil Bradley presenting with an MLB Expert Panel from 8-9:30 am. The education program will continue through Thursday offering seven different tracks including Turfgrass Management, Research and Technology, Pest Control, Synthetic, Professional Development/DEI, Baseball, and Water. The sessions will be offered concurrently, with six to choose from. Repeat sessions of the most popular presentations will take place on Thursday afternoon. Listed below is a sample of just a few of the sessions you can choose to attend.
Employer Dialogue or Email Template
Use the template below to compose an email or have a conversation with your employer about the benefits of attending the conference.
Dear_____,
The Sports Field Management Association (SFMA), my professional association for the past_____ years, is hosting its annual educational conference in Daytona Beach, FL from January 22-25. This year’s conference will offer seven educational tracks and highlight over 63 speakers presenting during 41 sessions. In addition, I will have access to the Keynote, General Session, and F.I.E.L.D. Luncheon speakers on various topics supporting success in the industry. The conference will also offer a post-conference program taking place virtually every Tuesday from January 30-February 20, 2024. Attending SFMA’s conference offers an all-access pass for these events as well as access to all educational sessions after the conference via link for free download that I will have access to indefinitely.
Attending the SFMA in-person conference will provide invaluable information as athletic events are fully scheduled on our fields. In addition to the opportunity for my personal development, the conference education will provide me with new techniques, turfgrass research findings and technology to save time and money while providing safer field surfaces.
The sessions I plan to attend include:
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A key feature of the conference is networking. I learn so much from my peers from around the country and the world. The conference offers many events where I can connect with peers – practitioners and academics – to ask questions and hear solutions that have worked for them. The exposition provides tremendous access to the commercial companies that serve our industry. Being able to see all the products and services in one place is a huge time-saver and allows for better decision making.
The cost to attend is far less than the value incurred. Several years ago, the ROI was documented at 1,375 percent. The direct costs include registration, $475; airfare, approximately $500; three nights hotel, $600 plus tax; and only a few meals because the SFMA provides most meals. For this, I will gain the equivalent education valued in the thousands of dollars, based on standard professional education costs, and I can receive CEUs as well.
I’ll be providing the conference brochure with a link to all the educational sessions and events as soon as it is available for your approval to attend. Please let me know if you have additional questions.
Thank you for your consideration,
[INSERT CONTACT INFO]
Step-By-Step Guide for Employer Conversation
