That's a Wrap!

Thank you for being one of 216 attendees, including 183 members and 33 non-member guests. We hope to see you again at the 2016 Spring Membership Meeting on March 7-9, 2016!

• Meeting Survey
• Final Attendee List
• Meeting Presentations (members only)

Meeting Program Highlights

The 2015 STC Annual Membership Meeting will attract over 200 industry leaders and feature unmatched networking, an Exhibitor Showcase with tabletop displays, and several new technical sessions on industry-related topics.

Keynote Address: Former NFL Head Coach Dick Vermeil (1.0 LA CES PDH)

Dick Vermeil, former NFL head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1982), St. Louis Rams (1997–1999) and Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2005)

Coach Vermeil owns the distinction of being named “Coach of the Year” on 4 Levels High-school, Jr. College, NCAA Division 1 & the NFL and led the St. Louis Rams to a SuperBowl XXXIV victory. During this session, you will learn about:

• The essential qualities of leadership, perseverance, and vision for personal and business growth.
• The importance of friends and family when trying to overcome adversity.
• The importance of mentors in one's life.
• How to be an effective and influential mentor.

Professionals Panel on Human Health & Safety of Infill for Synthetic Turf (1.0 LA CES PDH; HSW course)

David Teter, PhD, PE, Teter Engineering; Laura C. Green, PhD, D.A.B.T, Green Toxicology LLC; Noel Weiss, MD, DrPH, Professor, Epidemiology, University of Washington; Moderated by Al Garver, Synthetic Turf Council

A panel of professionals discussing the human health and chemical considerations relating to infill products utilized in athletic fields. During this session, you will learn about:

• The methodology of testing for chemicals of concern in recycled tires by an independent testing lab, as well as the analysis of those results as they relate to human health and environment risk;
• Reports of cancer in soccer players and other athletes who play on synthetic turf fields;
• How the lymphomas in question cannot be caused or triggered by exposure to the infills in question. 

Dual-Track Technical Sessions (2.0 LA CES PDH)

Track #1: Sports Fields

Davis Lee, PhD, InnovaNet Group; Joris Voeten, Permavoid Technologies; Greg Fowler, Shaw Sports Turf; Jeff Graydon, Princeton University; Moderated by Zach Burns, The Motz Group

This concurrent session will focus on synthetic turf sports field systems and components, such as:

• Fiber and polymer type characteristics
• Cool technology
• Storm water management
• Innovative and sustainable water conservation systems

Track #2: Landscape and Recreation

Shannan Powell, FoverLawn of Tampa Bay; Dakota Harp, Controlled Products, LLC / Synthetic Turf International; Brad Borgman, Heavenly Greens; George Neagle, SYNLawn; Moderated by Joe Leedie, ForeverLawn Inc.

This concurrent session will focus on the many different applications of synthetic grass for landscape and recreation and its components, such as:

• Turf types for different applications
• Reflective issues
• Anchoring options
• Fiber type/height/weight

Panel Discussion on Synthetic Turf Infill Systems: EPDM, TPE, Sand, Coated Sand, Zeolite, Crumb Rubber, and Organic (1.0 LA CES PDH)

Mark Giuranna, ECORE International; John B. Giraud, Target Technologies International, Inc.; Adam Coleman, USGreentech, LLC; Brian Pierce, ZeoFill; Jake Alexander, Genan, Inc.; Dr. Phil Stricklen, Shaw Sports Turf; Moderated by Alastair Cox, Alastair Cox Associates Ltd.

A panel of experts will provide a generic overview of the characteristics of various synthetic turf infill systems, including performance, safety, durability, and special requirements.

Dual-Track Consumer Panels (1.0 LA CES PDH)

Panel #1: Sports Fields

Tommy Marshall Marist School; Chandler Yount, Assistant AD, Marist School; Tim Carrington, Parent; Maggie Tereshinski, former soccer star at Marist and Wake Forest College/Assistant Coach, Marist School; Moderated by John Baize, Act Global

A panel of end-users sharing their experiences with synthetic turf sports fields and the benefits of increased playability with less maintenance. During this concurrent panel, you will learn about:

• Critical issues that resulted in the decision to install a synthetic turf sports field
• Responses by the community to the new synthetic turf sports field
• Financial and other benefits that were expected, and whether all of those benefits have been realized

Panel #2: Landscape and Recreation

Frank Thomas, Homeowner; Chuck Perry, LA; David Dempsey, Viridis Garden Design, Inc.; Moderated by Mike Cobb, InnovaNet Group

• Critical issues that resulted in the decision to install synthetic grass for landscape and recreation
• Responses by the community to the new synthetic grass playfields
• Financial and other benefits that were expected, and whether all of those benefits have been realized
  
  

NOW AVAILABLE: Half-day Tuesday Registration Pass

The Synthetic Turf Council is offering a half-day registration pass to local member and non-member company representatives to attend the STC Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, October 6 from noon until 5:30 p.m. for $100 per person (see session list on the Registration Form).  Rules and regulations apply: Valid only with the purchase of at least one full member or guest registration pass; available to first-time attendees only; must be a local, Georgia-based employee.

Click here to download the registration form.

Golf Event at East Lake Golf Club

Sunday, October 4 (first tee time is at 9:20 a.m.)

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, East Lake Golf Club is the home course of legendary golfer Bobby Jones and is the oldest golf course in the city of Atlanta. East Lake Golf Club was named the permanent home of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola in 2005. It is the culminating event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup, with only the top 30 players on the points list qualifying each year. In 2015, the tournament will be played September 24th  – 27th. East Lake has hosted the event 14 times since 1998.

Cost per player is $300 all inclusive (green fees, range balls and coordination and management of the event by golf staff). Please sign up early so we can assign tee times and arrange transportation. Click here for the club policies.

Meet Our Golfers

• Brad Church, SynLok Adhesives
• Cary Coker, Anax Turf LLC
• Jamey Dukes, Anax Turf LLC
• Greg Hayes, Anax Turf LLC
• Nathan Kendrick, Anax Turf LLC
• Charlie Lewis, The Reynolds Company
• David Moxley, Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.
• Russ Neuman, Textile Rubber & Chemical Company, Inc.
• Ryan Paris, AstroTurf, LLC
• Greg Roscoe, Bonar Yarns, Inc.
• Marty Staten, Americhem, Inc.
• Terrie Ward, Synthetic Turf Council 

STC Exhibitor Showcase with tabletop displays

Tuesday, October 6, 12:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

The STC Exhibitor Showcase event provides an opportunity for members to showcase a product, service, or advancement through the distribution of marketing brochures and face-to-face communication to local athletic directors, parks and municipal officials, builders and installers, architects and engineers, and other field owners and prospects.  Our exhibitors include synthetic turf manufacturers, testing labs, component suppliers, maintenance equipment manufacturers, and specialty service companies.

Meet Our Exhibitors

Exhibitor Guidelines

Exhibitor tables will be positioned around the perimeter of the luncheon ballroom. Payment must be received to reserve a table. Checks should be made payable to STC. In the event that all tables are reserved, you will be notified and placed on a waiting list. ONE table may be purchased per Member Company. The Exhibitor fee includes a 6’ skirted table, 2 chairs, and a wastebasket. The exhibitor guidelines are as follows:

• Whatever fits on the table is permitted. Pop-up displays on tables are acceptable. Floor models are NOT acceptable.
• There is no pipe and drape to hang signage or banners, except from the table itself.
• There will be no live demonstrations of products or working models, unless they fit on the table.
• Laptop computers and tablets that operate on battery power are allowed.
• Give-away items are permitted by exhibitors only.
• Standard 120V electrical outlets are available in the ballroom. If you require use of an outlet, please bring an extension cord and power strip.

Shipping Instructions

For shipping instructions and labeling, click here. Boxes will be delivered directly to the event space.  Exhibitors may setup on Monday, October 5 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, October 6 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. Exhibitors are responsible for scheduling their pickup once the event is over. Boxes must be labeled and sealed in order for their boxes to be retrieved and shipped out by hotel staff.

Questions or special requests? Please call Terrie or Melanie at 678-385-6720 or email office@syntheticturfcouncil.org

Hotel & Travel Information

JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead

The special STC room rate of $189 at the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead is available for rooms booked from October 2-8, 2015. You should book your room early, but no later than Friday, September 18, which has now passed. After this date, rooms are on a ‘space available’ basis at the STC rate.

Make a reservation online or call +1 800-613-2051 and refer to the Synthetic Turf Council (STC) room block.

The JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead is located approximately 18 miles from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (or 45 minutes to an hour during rush hour). The hotel also offers all STC guests complimentary in-room wired and Wi-Fi Internet and access to the fitness center.

• Driving directions to JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead
• MARTA travel information – Atlanta's citywide rail system
  
  

The STC Gratefully Acknowledges its Sponsors

Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor

To learn more about our Sponsorship Program, click here.