SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575944
www.stma.org October 2015 | SportsTurf 45 Several STMA programs, including Innovative Awards, Field of the Year Awards, SAFE Scholarship and Founders Awards, have applica- tion deadlines of October 15. STMA Innovative Award The deadline for STMA Commercial Members to apply for the STMA Innovative Award is October 15. All commercial compa- nies that are exhibiting at the 2016 STMA Annual Conference & Exhibition are invited to submit an entry (electronically only) to be recognized as an Innovative Award winner. All entries will be recognized on signage and in the confer- ence on-site guide. This recognition will help attendees identify new products, the company that developed them, and the booth number. As you select the product, equipment, technology, or service to enter, consider this description of "innovative": Must be cutting edge, must never have been previously seen. Any STMA Commercial member who is exhibiting at the upcoming STMA Annual Conference and Exhibition is eligible to submit one entry annually. The company must display the inno- vation in its booth and have introduced it for sale within a 2-year period. The only criterion is that the innovation must substantially enhance the effectiveness of the sports turf manager and/or make the surfaces safer and more playable for athletes. A panel of non-commercial STMA members representing all segments of membership will judge the entries and may give the award to multiple companies that meet the criteria. Winner(s) will be kept confidential until being announced during the first day of the STMA Trade Show. Winner(s) will be able to use the special Innovative logo in their promotion of the winning prod- uct, service, technology or equipment and will receive an award to display. STMA will publicize the winners through its communication vehicles, STMA press releases, signage at the conference, and with special recognition during the Annual Awards Banquet. STMA Field of the Year The STMA Field of the Year program deadline is October 15. All materials must be submitted electronically by this date. Be sure to read the application carefully, as the entire process is electronic. The process requires that applicants fill out no less than four STMA Playing Conditions Index (PCI) worksheets to apply for Field of the Year. However, only the four scores need to be transferred to the application; the full PCIs do not need to be attached. You can find the STMA PCI online. Through the "Field of the Year" program, STMA is able to significantly further one main element of its mission: To gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of its members. This year, based on the results of the judging, the "Field of the Year" Awards will be presented at the STMA Annual Awards Banquet, Friday, January 22, 2016, in San Diego. In addition to being featured in this magazine, winning fields will also receive: A plaque recognizing the field and the Sports Turf Manager Registration to the STMA Conference Three nights of lodging at the STMA Conference STMA signature apparel Suggestions from the STMA Awards Committee on Putting Together Winning "Field of the Year" Award Entries: "Start taking pictures and documenting your progress now! The STMA Awards Committee encourages sports turf managers to be creative in their applications and pictures, while still working within the framework of the program. The committee encourages creative photos, photos that show the versatility of the field, display unique characteristics of the field, and photos that show the unique talents of the crew. Focus on issues specific to your field that tell the story; issues such as drainage, traffic, weather, etc. Provide before and after shots. Do not simply provide 'beauty shots' of your field, as they do not reflect the true struggles and triumphs of you and your crew." SAFE Scholarships & Grants NEW THIS YEAR! SAFE Scholarship applications are all online and need to be submitted electronically. The deadline is October 15. STMA Founders Awards nominations STMA Founders Award nominations are due October 15. These are STMA's most prestigious awards and are presented in honor of the founders of STMA: Dr. William Daniel, Dick Ericson, George Toma and Harry Gill. More information, applications, and nomination forms are available online at stma.org. For applications, nomination forms, and for more information, please log on to STMA.org. ■ ST Several major STMA Award deadlines fast approaching! The committee encourages creative photos, photos that show the versatility of the field, display unique characteristics of the field, and photos that show the unique talents of the crew. Focus on issues specific to your field that tell the story; issues such as drainage,traffic, weather, etc.