Turfgrass Tour 2011 hits Rhode Island

Somewhat bleary eyed after a late-night arrival but still fired up, I'm in Providence, R.I., right now for a whirlwind visit to the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show. I'll hit a couple of interesting educational sessions today, catch up with some official Friends of GCM that I've known for years and chase a few story ideas ... should be a big day.

In the past, GCM hasn't made many appearances at regional turf shows or other industry events like them. I've been to the Carolinas GCSA conference and show a few times, and have been to this show once before (I think it was three years ago). There really was no master plan behind that; for the most part, GCSAA as an organization has been well represented at regional shows, so we did have our bases covered in that regard.

But as a rule, that will be changing this year. As GCSAA begins to expand its touch at the local and regional level through its growing field-staff program, GCM will be doing the same and putting itself in front of association members and magazine readers at gatherings like this one whenever possible. We want you to see us, we want you to talk to us and we want you to tell us what you want to be reading about in the pages of the magazine or in cyberspace via one of our many digital options.

That means you could see myself or another magazine staff member in Florida, in Ohio or in Arizona. You could see us sporting the GCM logo at shows in Texas or Montana. And you might bump into us in San Diego at the Irrigation Association show in November or in Louisville, Ky., at the Green Industry Expo in October.

We're doing this because we want to strengthen the already notable ties between our readers and this magazine. We want you to feel a part of the product that you've made a part of your professional life since you began in this business. We want you to feel free to approach us — whether in person, on the phone or through an e-mail — and let us know what you like and what you don't like about the product we publish each and every month.

We'll do our best to give you a heads up about where we'll be and what we'll be doing either through a note in the magazine, a post on the blog or a quick Tweet (@GCM_Magazine). For now, though, stay tuned for updates from Providence later today and tomorrow morning.

Comments

[Lisa]

Since you mention you are listening to education events today, Scott, listen for things that might be good webcasts for the fall. Thanks and safe travels. lw

[Topsoil Suppliers]

Sounds good to me. I just wish the wife would let me out to hit a few more balls. Love the magazine.