Around 1,200 sports turf managers, along with academic and commercial representatives from schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums, are headed to Texas next week to share best practices, network, and hear about the latest industry trends.

Organization: Sports Turf Managers Association

Conference: STMA 29th Conference & Exhibition

Venue: Fort Worth Convention Center

City: Fort Worth, Texas

Following optional tours of local playing fields and athletic facilities on Tuesday—including AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys—STMA 2018 will officially begin on Wednesday morning with an opening general session called “We Are All in This Together.” Four turf pros will discuss how to develop successful relationships with athletic directors. Also worth noting:

Student smarts. Each year, teams of students from two-year and four-year colleges and universities compete in an onsite exam that challenges knowledge in the sports turf industry.  Winning teams receive a cash award, a plaque, and medallions for each team member.  The prize money benefits the winning institution’s turf program and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports turf management.

Postconference learning. Full conference attendees will have free, unlimited, lifetime access to an online library following the meeting. The mobile-friendly library will feature recordings of all conference presentations, speaker biographies, and presentation slides and handouts.

Quick knowledge. During the two-hour Lightning Round block on Friday morning, attendees will take part in five short sessions to get updates on new industry trends and ideas. Topics include the role of sports surfaces in head injuries and how to use camera technology to improve turf grass.

Head to Twitter (#STMA2018) for more meeting details.

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