Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/110267
TL1303-proof 2/13/13 1:15 PM Page 1 AGSA NEWS BY JERRY ROUSSEAU ALBERTA PROPERTY MANAGERS CONFERENCE A HUGE SUCCESS The 18th Annual Golf Course Property Manager's Conference was held at the Radisson Hotel in Canmore November 25th – 27th and by all accounts, was a massive success. Organized by the Alberta Golf Superintendents Association, the event used to flip between Edmonton and Calgary in the early days but eventually settled into Red Deer to balance travel distance between the two main Alberta centres. After serious consideration by the current AGSA Board, it was decided a change in venue for the long-standing education only conference was overdue. Change can often be good and Canmore proved to be an excellent choice INDUSTRY NEWS ALLIED GOLF ASSOCIATION OF BC TO CONVENE SECOND SYMPOSIUM AGA-BC is currently working on plans for a 2nd golf industry symposium in as many years to be held Monday March 25th, 2013 at the University Golf Club in Vancouver. Similar to the 2012 event held at the Richmond Country Club, the symposium's purpose is to provide a networking opportunity, educational component and interactive forum where stakeholders from all golf industry sectors can openly and frankly, learn about and discuss issues facing the business of golf. While new last year to British Columbia, similarly styled day-long annual events have been taking place in other regions for some time, like the Golf Alliance of Washington's (GAW) Annual Summit, which this year 10 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Always held on the Grey Cup weekend, the AGSA has been popular and well attended. In recent years those numbers had dipped slightly from 300 delegates on average to 275ish. Not a big drop but noticeable when organizers consider just how consistent attendance has been. In my own experience, which includes attending the AGSA since the close to the beginning, there was tremendous loyalty to the event and you could count on 290 to 310 people in the room year after year. Again from my experience (and opinion), the Red Deer venue was getting tired. Dim lighting and fake gold trim installed in the late 70's served as a reminder when you walked in that expectations needed to be immediately lowered to avoid disappointment. In its defence, Red Deer is an oil town and the patch is busy at that time of year. Hotels don't necessarily need to compete too hard for business and five diamond service levels are not required. Parking lots with block heater plug-ins are a higher priority for hotel guests than anything else except perhaps a well-stocked liquor store in close proximity. Change can often be good and Canmore proved to be an excellent choice for a new location with over 320 delegates showing up and the event setting an AGSA revenue record. Accommodation was actually less expensive in this resort town just minutes from the world famous Banff National Park, as seasonal rates were at their lowest. Service levels were very good, food was fantastic and the brightly lit and modern hotel was just as welcoming as the snowcapped Rocky Mountain peaks that nestle Canmore under what always seems like a blue and sunny sky. More importantly, delegates were pleased with their high quality educational experience organized by the AGSA Board and delivered through three separate seminar tracks. 16 different speakers delivered 18 hours of instruction not including the two preconference seminars that took place Grey Cup day. Congratulations are in order to the AGSA Board and Executive Director Barb Alexander for not only a job well done but for having the foresight and courage to make a major change. With the success of this year's AGSA show, my guess is we'll be seeing more of Canmore over the coming years. is scheduled a day after the BC version at Chambers Bay Golf Course near Tacoma, Washington. "We're certainly looking at the possibility of collaborating with GAW organizers," stated AGA Director, Trevor Smith, "as the timing lends itself to sharing one or more speakers and topic ideas." Smith went on to say, "AGA plans to deliver on its mandate to provide one cohesive voice for the Golf Business of British Columbia and we realize in order to do so, an event like this needs to be both valuable and affordable to participants." At the time of writing, an official finalized itinerary was not yet available but cost has been set at $75 per person and $50 for the 2nd from the same facility which includes lunch. Confirmed speakers include Ian Robertson, CEO of Kelowna Springs Golf Club and Shannon Lake Golf Course, Jim McLaughlin, Troon Golf, Andy Hedley, Golf BC and a representative from the National Golf Foundation. An AGA-BC status report and update on various advocacy efforts currently underway will be included. Added Doug Ferne, AGA President, "The provincial Golf Associations are committed to understanding each other's respective roles and working together on matters of mutual interest. The Symposium is designed to provide the same opportunity for the various industry sectors to come together to discuss ways and means of growing the game of golf in BC." About AGA-BC - The Allied Golf Association of British Columbia is a Provincial Organization that contains representation from each of the Regional Golf Industry Associations that are dedicated to providing one cohesive voice for the Golf Business of British Columbia. Representatives from each of the provincial Golf Associations are committed to the understanding of each other's respective roles, working together on matters of mutual interest that require a unified communication and promoting ways and means to grow the game of golf in British Columbia.