GIS SHOW REBRANDS

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has announced the world’s largest golf course management event has been rebranded to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. The new name will debut at the 2022 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Feb. 5-10 in San Diego.

Known as the Golf Industry Show since 2005, the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show will continue to offer a week of education, networking opportunities and access to golf course and facility management solutions for golf industry professionals.

The event is produced by GCSAA along with presenting partners, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) and American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and participating partners, the United States Golf Association (USGA), National Golf Course Owners Association of America (NGCOA) and National Golf Foundation (NGF).

“The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show rebranding is not about changes to the event, but is based on the strength of the GCSAA brand,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “As GCSAA’s brand recognition has grown over the years, it makes sense to have our premier event share in that. Along with our partners, we’ll still feature opportunities for collaboration and team building among superintendents, architects, builders and more.”

The GCSAA Conference rebranding is part of a strategic effort to bring all GCSAA entities under the association name and comes on the heels of the rebranding of its philanthropic organisation to the GCSAA Foundation in May.

“As we move closer to our 100th anniversary in 2026, bringing all aspects of GCSAA’s operations under the GCSAA name not only makes sound business sense, but also gives a clear tie to our long history,” Evans said.

The 2022 GCSAA Conference will return to an in-person gathering after the 2021 event was held virtually due to the pandemic. The event will kick off with the GCSAA Golf Championships Feb. 5-7 in San Diego and will include play at Torrey Pines, site of the 2021 U.S. Men’s Open. The conference portion will begin with a Welcome Reception on Monday night. The bulk of education and the trade show will be condensed to Tuesday through Thursday in order to offer attendees the full event experience while requiring fewer days away from work and home. In addition, a virtual learning component will be offered after the in-person event for those who want to take additional education or for those who were unable to attend in person.

Registration for the 2022 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show will open Nov. 2, 2021.