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See you in Daytona Beach!

conference

2024 SFMA Conference and Exhibition
January 22nd – 25th, 2024

Registration for the 2024 Conference & Exhibition will open Fall of 2023
Questions? Email Whitney at wwebber@sportsfieldmanagement.org

SFMA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition allows members to share information with other successful members of the sports turf industry at exciting locations. In addition to educational seminars, hands-on workshops and the latest technology on display, conference attendees are able to tour professional, college and municipal facilities that offer a range of insights to take back home.

OCEAN CENTER DAYTONA BEACH
101 N. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
386/254-4500

Conference Hotel Information

Information will be coming Summer 2023!

NOTE: SFMA does NOT have any companies that will call or email you to set up hotel reservations, please disregard any hotel communications from outside companies as there have been scams circulating.

Watch the 2022 SFMA Conference Recap Video Below

2024 Conference Registration will open Fall of 2023!

Full Conference Registration includes admission to all Education Sessions, Welcome Reception, Awards Banquet, Trade Show and all meals provided during the conference.

Registration Hours

Sun., Jan. 21      6:30pm – 9 pm

Mon., Jan. 22    6:30 am – 5 pm

Tues., Jan. 23    7 am – 5 pm

Wed., Jan. 24     7 am – 5 pm

Thurs., Jan. 25   7 am – 12 pm

Exhibition Hours

Wed., Jan. 24     1:30pm-6:30pm

Thurs., Jan. 25   10:00am-1:00pm

To Exhibit, contact David Rosenberg at 401-662-3001 or davidnewportevents@gmail.com

For questions, please call 800-323-3875

ROI analysis allows decision makers to determine the financial return from training by comparing net program benefits—benefits minus costs—to costs. ROI is calculated by taking the net benefits of training, dividing by training/education costs, and then multiplying the result by 100. ROI is always expressed as a percentage.

Net Program Benefits – Costs x 100 = ROI

Program Costs

The calculated ROI for the conference can yield a 5334 % return on investment for each facility that sends its sports field manager. This high rate of return provides an amazing value back to the sports facility. Even if only half of the resource savings ideas learned at the conference are applied, the ROI is more than 2500 percent – which is still a remarkable value. For the detailed case study, click here. 

To access the 2023 Trip Report to show your employer your ROI for this year’s conference, click here.

 

Conference Hotel Information

Coming Summer 2023!

Getting to Daytona Beach, FL

Visitors can fly non-stop into Daytona Beach International Airport via Delta (from Atlanta, ATL), American Airlines (from Charlotte, CLT) year round, with additional seasonal service via American Airlines from Philadelphia (PHL), Dallas/Ft. Forth (DFW) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). Check out our area airports for more transportation options. The Daytona Beach area is very accessible whether you are traveling by car or prefer to use local transportation options that include most major car rentals and ride share services, taxis, motor coach, and public transportation (Votran).

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO DAYTONA BEACH

Driving to the Daytona Beach area is easy, as two of the state’s major interstates intersect here – Interstate 95, which runs north and south and Interstate 4, which comes in from the west. Other major roads leading into the area include U.S. Highway 1; U.S. Highway 92; State Road 40, which connects to Interstate 75; and Highway A1A which runs along the beautiful Atlantic coastline.

Fort Lauderdale/Miami to Daytona BeachMap of Daytona Beach Florida

From Fort Lauderdale or Miami, take Interstate 95, North. Take exit numbers 261A through 273. Go east to reach the beachside areas.

Tampa and Orlando to Daytona Beach

Take Interstate 4 from Tampa or Orlando heading east. Take exit number 132A and go north on Interstate 95. At exit number 261A, take U.S. 92 / International Speedway Blvd. east to A1A and the beaches.

Jacksonville and St. Augustine to Daytona Beach

Head south on Interstate 95 to exit number 216A and head east on US-92 / International Speedway Blvd. to AIA and the beaches.

 

Distance to Daytona Beach from:

  • Orlando, 54 miles
  • St. Augustine, 62 miles
  • Kennedy Space Center, 63 miles
  • Jacksonville, 95 miles
  • Tampa, 139 miles
  • Fort Lauderdale, 230 miles
  • Miami, 254 miles

SFMA Annual Conference Exhibitor Resources

The 2024 SFMA Conference and Exhibition takes place in Daytona Beach, FL from January 22-25, 2024.

Exhibition Hours:

  • Wed., Jan. 24 – 1:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Thurs., Jan. 25 – 10 am – 1 pm

View the Trade Show Floor Plan as of 04/19/2023.

Exhibitors must be current members! To join or renew click Here. If you have questions please contact SFMA at wwebber@sportsfieldmanagement.org

Marketing & Events is SFMA’s Conference Exhibition Partner. If you are interested in exhibiting at the SFMA Conference & Exhibition, or are already signed up as an exhibitor and have questions about your booth, contact Marketing & Events at:

David Rosenberg
Davidnewportevents@gmail.com
866-847-8623

2023 List of Exhibitors

Want to exhibit at the 2023 Conference? click here!

SAFE Foundation-Live Auction Items Needed!

By donating to our live auction, you are putting your product in front of our attendees in more places than just your booth – as well as giving them a chance to try it out, and potentially scoring a new customer! In the past we’ve had items range anywhere from $5 to $5,000. You can ship the item with your exhibitor shipment or ship it directly to the winner!

If you are interested in donating, please email to Whitney wwebber@sportsfieldmanagement.org and I will send the donation form.

Policies

  • Pre-registration is only available until Jan. 4, 2023. After that date, all registrations will be on-site.

If you are registering after Jan. 4th, you will need to bring your registration form to conference with you and register at SFMA Attendee On-Site Registration desk located in the Salt Palace Convention Center starting Monday morning.

Please do not have your office fax it to SFMA HQ after Jan. 4th. It cannot be processed.

  • New First Time Member Free Registration Promotion: All New Member Free Registrations must be done online. You need to login in, pay for your New First Time Member Dues then go back in to register for your free registration.

These will not be processed over the phone, by mail, email or fax.

 Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be in writing and received by December 15th. All cancelations are subject to a $50 processing fee. NO refunds will be issued after December 15th.

Refunds will be issued within 30 days after conference.

Email Cancelations to: SFMAInfo@SportsFieldManagement.org

 

If the conference & exhibition is cancelled for any cause beyond SFMA’s control, registration fees will be refunded at pro rata basis based on the expenses incurred at the date of cancellation.

SFMA holds event cancelation insurance that will be used to provide the most equitable refunds possible.

Refunds will NOT be provided to registrants who are unable to attend due to weather.

Policies, Requests and Permissions

  • If you have any reasonable accommodation, special needs or meal requests, please contact SFMA Headquarters by December 15th.
  • SFMA will not accept registrations from countries that are being sanctioned by the U.S.
  • Photography Permission: A professional photographer will be documenting conference events. By registering for the conference, you give permission for SFMA to use all photos with your likeness.
  • 2023 – Salt Lake City, UT
  • 2022 – Savannah, Georgia
  • 2021 – Virtual
  • 2020 – West Palm Beach, Florida
  • 2019 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2018 – Fort Worth, Texas
  • 2017 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2016 – San Diego, California
  • 2015 – Denver, Colorado
  • 2014 – San Antonio, Texas
  • 2013 – Daytona Beach, Florida
  • 2012 – Long Beach, California
  • 2011 – Austin, Texas
  • 2010 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2009 – San Jose, California
  • 2008 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2007 – San Antonio, Texas
  • 2006 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2005 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2004 – San Diego, California
  • 2003 – San Antonio, Texas
  • 2002 – Las Vegas, Nevada
  • 2001 – Tampa, Florida
  • 2000 – St. Louis, Missouri
  • 1999 – Mesa, Arizona
  • 1998 – Orlando, Florida
  • 1997 – Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • 1996 – Anaheim, California
  • 1995 – Bradenton, Florida
  • 1993 – Baltimore, Maryland
  • 1992 – Indianapolis, Indiana
  • 1991 – San Diego, California
  • 1990 – Houston, Texas
  • 1989 – Vero Beach, Florida
2024 – Daytona Beach, FL

January 22-25, 2024

2025 – Palm Springs, CA

January 12-16, 2025

2026 – Fort Worth, TX

January 18 -22, 2026

The SFMA Student Challenge is presented in partnership with the SAFE Foundation, Founding Partner Hunter Industries and supporting sponsor Ewing. Each year students from 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities across the country compete in an exam that challenges knowledge in the sports field industry. The winning teams receive a cash award, a plaque and medallions for each team member. The prize money benefits the institution’s turfgrass science program and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports field management.

Congratulations to all of the student participants in the 2023 SFMA Student Challenge! For final results, click here.

Two Year Winners – Penn State Team 402 – Nicholas Risso, Jacob Irvin, Garrett Taylor, Matthew Hamel

Four Year Winners – Purdue Team 404 – Emma Seward, Jacob Winger, Drew Coe, William Myrehn

 

Please contact Kristen Althouse at kalthouse@sportsfieldmanagment.org with questions about the Student Challenge.

The SFMA Student Challenge is presented in partnership with the SAFE Foundation, Founding Partner Hunter Industries, and supporting sponsor Ewing.

Note: SFMA Education Manager Kristen Althouse oversees the Student Challenge. She teaches first-year botany students who are in a two-year program at Penn State University. These first year students do not participate in the Student Challenge. She also has signed a binding, non-disclosure agreement. For questions or concerns, please contact SFMA ph. 800-323-3875.

SFMA Student Challenge Participant Code of Conduct and Eligibility Requirements

Code of Conduct
As a participant in the SFMA Student Challenge and a guest of SFMA, SAFE, and the sponsors of the event, all participating students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous and responsible manner while at the SFMA Conference and Exhibition.

Eligibility 
Participants in the SFMA Student Challenge competing on a two-year team may compete in no more than three total Student Challenge events.
Participants in the SFMA Student Challenge competing on a four-year team may compete in no more than five total Student Challenge events.
Students who have transferred from a two-year program to a four-year program may compete in up to five total Student Challenge events.
Graduate students may not participate.

Terms
Should a student be deemed to be in violation of policies by authorized SFMA staff or volunteers, the team/school that the student represents may be disqualified from current and future SFMA Student Challenge competitions and will be asked to pay for the Conference registration of all team members and forfeit all awards.  Please contact SFMA with any questions regarding these policies at 800.323.3875 or sfmainfo@sportsfieldmanagement.org.

Previous SFMA Student Challenge Winners

2023 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Penn State University Team 402
Four Year Competition –
Purdue University Team 404

2022 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition –
Penn State University Team 101
Four Year Competition – Purdue University Team 204

2021 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – University of Maryland Team 2
Four Year Competition –
University of Maryland Team 1

2020 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition
– Mt. San Antonio College – Team 209
Four Year Competition
– Penn State University – Team 403

2019 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition
– Penn State University – Team 203
Four Year Competition
– Iowa State University – Team 424

2018 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition
– Mt. San Antonio College – Team 208
Four Year Competition
– Iowa State University – Team 401

2017 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College – Team 207
Four Year Competition 
– Penn State University – Team 422

2016 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College – Team 208
Four Year Competition – 
Penn State University – Team 409

2015 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Penn State University – Team 207
Four Year Competition – University of Maryland – Team 414

2014 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – 
Mt. San Antonio College – Team 202
Four Year Competition – 
University of Maryland – Team 410

2013 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – 
Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Team 202
Four Year Competition – University of Maryland – Team 412

2012 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Kirkwood Community College Team 204
Four Year Competition – 
Purdue University Team 402

2011 Student Challenge Champions

Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College Team 206
Four Year Competition – Purdue University Team 415

2010 Student Challenge Champions 
Two Year Competition – Penn State University Team 207
Four Year Competition – Penn State University Team 409

2009 Student Challenge Champions 
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College Team 102
Four Year Competition – Penn State University Team 009

2008 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Penn State University Team 104
Four Year Competition – Penn State University Team 008

2007 Student Challenge Champions
Two Year Competition – Mt. San Antonio College Team 14
Four Year Competition – University of Tennessee Team 24

2006 Student Challenge Champions 
Purdue University Team 9

2005 Student Challenge Champions
Penn State University

Increase your professionalism by taking advantage of the continuing education units (CEUs) offered at the SFMA Conference each year. Earn up to 1.5 CEUs through SFMA. In addition to SFMA, the following professional organizations may be providing CEUs for attending education sessions at the conference:

American Sports Builders Association (ASBA)
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

Pesticide Recertification Credits: Utah*

*Pesticide Recertification credits will only be available for Utah. If you are attending from another state and are in need of pesticide recertification credits, you are responsible for contacting your state’s Department of Agriculture for approval.

Click here for a full listing of sessions that qualify for CEUs.

See the onsite brochure for a detailed listing of education sessions that qualify for CEUs and recertification credits. Be sure to sign in using the appropriate form during the education sessions.

SFMA’s Call for Presentations is Open!

Be a part of SFMA’s 2024 annual conference from January 22-25 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Share your ideas and expertise by being a presenter for the education sessions. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to share your experience and increase your visibility within the sports field management profession. All submissions are due electronically to SFMA by April 7, 2023. Please contact Kristen Althouse at 800-323-3875 or email, kalthouse@sportsfieldmanagement.org, if you have any questions about presenting or problems with the electronic form.

Why should you submit?
□ You have experience, expertise and ideas to share that would benefit your peers and/or constituents.
□ You would like to take your communication and presentation skills to the next level.
□ You would like to increase your visibility within the sports field management profession.
□ You may earn 1 industry service point, per presentation, towards CSFM recertification.

What are the criteria for selection?
Successful submittals will:
□ Be relevant to the sports field management profession.
□ Include a clear and concise description of the presentation.
□ Include clearly defined and detailed learning objectives.
□ Feature a qualified presenter.

Commercial members are encouraged to submit presentations. However, to be successful in the selection process, please consider the following:
□ These education sessions are not to be used to promote particular products, services, or companies.
□ Providing a complete and detailed description of your presentation is highly recommended. The Conference Education Committee completes a thorough review to be sure the presentation is not promoting products, services, or companies.
□ We encourage you to submit presentations on new technologies and innovations that will benefit the sports field industry.
□ Co-presenting with a practitioner or academic may provide a more comprehensive presentation for attendees.

A few things you should know:
□ The conference takes place January 22-25 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The exact time and length of each program will be determined later.
□ All selected presenters will be required to sign a speaker contract.
□ All selected presenters will receive complimentary conference registration. Other benefits, such as travel, lodging, and an honorarium, will be defined in the subsequent speaker contract.
□ SFMA reserves the right to limit the number of speakers for presentations depending on session duration.
□ SFMA may audio and/or video record conference programs. Presenters will not receive any compensation for any eventual sales of the recordings, but may receive a complimentary recording of their program upon request. Presenters may not opt out of recording unless the presentation contains sensitive information.
□ Presenters are expected to provide PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and any related articles to SFMA prior to the conference. SFMA posts materials on the website for conference attendees to use as supplements for furthering their education. SFMA will secure all information to protect speaker materials.
□ Submittals will be reviewed by the SFMA Conference Education Committee and notification of selection will take place in early June.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Kristen Althouse, SFMA Education Manager – 800-323-3875 or kalthouse@sportsfieldmanagement.org.

SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION HERE

Welcome to the 2023 Conference Education page! Here you will find presentations and handouts for education sessions occurring at SFMA's 34th Conference and Exhibition.

The 2023 education program offers informative and exciting presentations by speakers from across the United States.

ACCESS THE 2023 EDUCATION PROGRAM HERE.

 

For access to past conferences, see below:

Looking for presentations from a past conference? For 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 conference education, click here.