SFMA 2025 Conference Education Proposal Submission Process

 

 

Submit your presentation ideas for the 2025 SFMA Conference and Exhibition!

Be a part of SFMA’s 2025 annual conference from January 12-16 in Palm Springs, CA. 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 1, 2024. Please contact Jennifer McLendon at jmclendon@sportsfieldmanagement.org if you have any questions about presenting or problems with the submittal.

 

  The theme for the 2025 conference is: Oasis of Knowledge

 

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.

□ Support SFMA’s diversity initiatives.

□ Be inclusive for all members.

 

 

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 12-16 in Palm Springs, CA. 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 Jennifer McLendon, SFMA Education Manager at 800-323-3875 or jmclendon@sportsfieldmanagement.org.

 

 

Presentation Tracks and Topics:

 

The committee will review all submissions; however, each presentation should fall under one or more of the following tracks:

 

Turfgrass Management

                -Park and rec/K-12

                -Professional

                -Collegiate

Research/Technology

Pest Control

Synthetic

Professional/Career Development

DEI

Sustainability/BMP

 

The committee will be actively seeking the following topics for the 2025 conference:

 

Topics:

1. Cultivation Practices (aerification, fraise mowing, etc)
2. Irrigation/Water Conservation
3. Professional Development/DEI
4. Disease and Pest Management
5. Unique Case Studies (challenging environments, reconstruction/renovation, special events, capital projects, administration, etc)
6. Fertilization and Nutrient Management
7. Turfgrass Species Selection and Establishment
8. Synthetic/Hybrid Turf
9. Mentorship
10. Research and Advancements in the Industry
11. Turfgrass Management Equipment (maintenance, new equipment, maximize the potential of existing equipment, etc)
12. Budgeting, Cost-Effective Management Strategies and Negotiation
13. Athlete Surface Interaction
14. Sports Specific-Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, Lacrosse, etc.
15. Painting-Synthetic/Natural Grass
16. Managing Low-Input Turfgrass Areas
17. Internships
18. Interpersonal Skills

 

Important Dates:

 

• Proposals will be accepted from February 7, 2024 until April 1, 2024.
• The committee review period will close May 31, 2024.
• Speakers will be notified of their acceptance or denial by June 15, 2024.
• Contracts for the selected speakers will be sent June 17-19, 2024.
• The deadline to return signed contracts is July 1, 2024.

 

If you have any questions or require assistance during the proposal submission process, please contact Jennifer McLendon at jmclendon@sportsfieldmanagement.org.

 

Thank you for your proposal submission for the SFMA 2025 Conference! We look forward to reviewing your presentation and will reach out if we have any questions.