GCSAA will help build homes in New Orleans
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and its partnering associations of the Golf Industry Show are teaming up with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity to host a series of work days before the trade show opens to help build homes in some of New Orleans’ most devastated areas.
The work days will be Tuesday, Feb. 3, and Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. All volunteers will be placed in teams of 15 to work on homes within a particular area. The Golf Industry Show will provide transportation from the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, lunch at the work sites, water, sunscreen and a t-shirt.
“This is the first time the Golf Industry Show has been back to New Orleans since Katrina and we are excited to join our partnering organizations to help the people of this great city,” said GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS. “GCSAA has a compassionate membership, so helping the city rebuild is something that our members have felt very strongly about participating in when conference and show returns.”
To support this first-ever volunteer project, register to participate in the event online at www.gcsaa.org/conference beginning Oct. 1 (or use registration form A-2 in the conference and show brochure) or support New Orleans Habitat’s efforts through a donation on the registration form. Participation requires a $25 registration fee. The deadline for registration is Jan. 2.
“Since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleanians have experienced hardships; but have continued to persevere in hopes of making New Orleans better than it was,” stated Melissa Manusellis, volunteer coordinator for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. “The Golf Industry Show volunteer days will greatly assist New Orleans Habitat in achieving our mission of building safe and decent shelter for low-income families. The group’s enthusiasm is critical in maintaining our level of building.”
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association’s philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
The GCSAA Education Conference, Feb. 2-7, 2009 in New Orleans, is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. More than 100 seminars and 60 additional hours of educational sessions are offered, covering all ranges of golf course management, including agronomics, communication and business management. Visit www.gcsaa.org/conference.
Golf Industry ShowThe Golf Industry Show, Feb. 5-7 in New Orleans, is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities, and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. Featuring the largest exhibit floor in the industry, the event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders. The Golf Industry Show is presented by the GCSAA, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), along with supporting organizations, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF). Visit www.golfindustryshow.com.
-30-
For more information contact:
Sheri Light, GCSAA trade show specialist, at 800-472-7878 or slight@gcsaa.org
Aleis Tusa, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, at 504-251-5710 or aleist@habitat-nola.org
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications
800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
