Newly created position will focus on GCSAA brand marketing and the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show
Lawrence, Kan. – Ed Several, a marketing and trade show professional with nearly four decades of experience in the marketing, event, and golf industries, has been named chief marketing officer (CMO) for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
As GCSAA CMO, Several will focus on the continued elevation of the GCSAA Brand, marketing the value of membership, and promoting the positive impact GCSAA members provide to their golf facilities and communities. In addition, Several will focus on leading the GCSAA staff in transforming the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show into a more immersive experience as the cornerstone of a new year-round approach to delivering value to GCSAA members, industry partners, stakeholders, and the communities GCSAA serves.
Before coming to the GCSAA, Several most recently served as executive vice president, events and conferences, for EnsembleIQ where he created a successful virtual events business. That followed 14 years as a senior vice president with Reed Exhibitions, where he led the turnaround of the PGA Merchandise Show as well as a portfolio of 15 events across multiple sectors. At Reed Exhibitions, Several worked with a variety of major Associations from the PGA of America, Security Industry Association, North American Retail Hardware Association and many others. His previous experience in the golf industry includes five years as vice president of marketing services for Spalding/Top-Flite Golf. He also spent 10 years with Kraft Foods as director of consumer promotions. Several’s professional experience has connected him to GCSAA in many ways, including the 2022 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.
“Ed has a long track record of growing and transforming brands, conferences and trade shows,” GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans said. “He is passionate about golf and the industry that surrounds it, and he appreciates the dedicated hard work and experience of the members of GCSAA. We are excited to add his knowledge and talent to our team.”
In his role, Several will have oversight of GCSAA’s marketing, corporate sales, trade show, communications, publications and creative services departments.
“GCSAA has been an unofficial part of my professional and personal life for many years, so it is an incredible honor to now officially be part of the GCSAA team,” said Several. “Professionally, I led the PGA Merchandise Show for 10 years during which time I enjoyed collaborating with the GCSAA team to support the then GIS event. Personally, as an avid golfer, GCSAA members are important to me for their amazing work. I am excited to officially join the team and look forward to working alongside the extremely talented GCSAA HQ staff and dedicated GCSAA board and committee members to help write the next chapter of success.”
Several graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
To learn more about the GCSAA, visit gcsaa.org.
About GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities though the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.
Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Director, Communications
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
Mike Strauss
Manager, Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 5164
mstrauss@gcsaa.org
