Synthetic Turf Council Holds Spring Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

ATLANTA, GA – The Synthetic Turf Council’s (STC) spring membership meeting was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 11-13. It attracted 177 members and guests from 102 companies in the synthetic turf industry, including builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies.

STC Chairman John Baize, ACT Global Sports, led the two-day meeting that featured two dynamic and engaging keynote speakers – economist Brian Beaulieu and legendary Pittsburgh Steeler, Rocky Bleier. In addition to hearing other instructive technical presentations, the group broke into small work groups to address key industry issues.

From the Institute for Trend Research (ITR Economics™), economist and CEO Brian Beaulieu presented his economic outlook for the synthetic turf industry and the global economy. Beaulieu recommended the business strategies that should be undertaken now to maximize profit potential in the years to come.

On the final day of the meeting, the inspiring Rocky Bleier from the Pittsburgh Steelers shared his gripping tale of courage and accomplishment on both the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam. His overall message was how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers. Despite sustaining serious wounds to both legs during a fire fight in Vietnam, Bleier was able to overcome his injuries and play running back on a Pittsburgh Steelers team that won four Super Bowls.

On Monday afternoon, the STC hosted its first pre-conference "Whistle-stop” seminar to which architects and engineers, as well as buyers and end-users of synthetic turf sports fields and playgrounds, were invited. The following topics were presented at the 3-hour seminar:

• Funding a Field led by panelists: Ernest Graham, ELA Sport; and Matthew Madden & Brian Jamiolkowski, The NCS Group, Ltd.
• Maintenance & Performance Guidelines led by panelists: John Baize, ACT Global Sports; Alastair Cox, Labosport International; and Will Wolverton, Wiedenmann North America
• Realistic Expectations led by panelists: Webb Cook, Sprinturf; and Matt Hogg, The Motz Group, Inc.

"The response to our first pre-conference seminar was very gratifying and convinced us that these seminars are an effective way for the STC to expand its educational reach to architects, engineers, athletic directors, and parks officials who want to know about the design, selection, installation, and maintenance of synthetic turf,” stated Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council.

On October 7-9, the Synthetic Turf Council will hold its annual meeting and 10th Anniversary celebration in Orlando, Florida. Visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org for more information on the upcoming meeting and other future meetings.

About the Synthetic Turf Council

Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.