By Michael Davis
It seems like the perfect marriage between two organisations pivotal to the success and enjoyment of golf across the nation.
GMA (Golf Management Australia) and ASTMA (the Australian Sports Turf Managers’ Association) will deliver Australia’s largest golf industry conference and trade exhibition in Melbourne next year.
It will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 20-23, 2022.
To be known as the 2022 GMA and ASTMA Conference and Trade Exhibition, the event is already being supported by principal partners, Schweppes and Toro Australia.
It is expected to attract more than 1000 delegates from clubs and facilities throughout Australia.
“This is a natural collaboration,” says GMA CEO Paul Vardy.
“By combining the highly successful GMA and ASTMA conferences into one big event, we can offer an even greater array of topics and speakers as well as an amazing chance to broaden the networking and knowledge sharing within our industry.”
Mark Unwin, CEO of ASTMA, is equally delighted with the announcement.
“The approach to partnering with GMA will ensure that the relationship between sports turf managers and general managers continues to strengthen,” he said.
“To meet the service and turf expectations placed on golf clubs and facilities takes a team effort.
“We’re excited to have golf industry team leaders at this combined event, learning and networking together.”
The conference will focus on the knowledge needed to meet the future needs of golf management with sessions on leadership, sustainability and new practices and innovation.
Conference topics will run concurrently with streams in leadership and management of golf courses and sports fields. It will also feature combined workshops, panel sessions and networking events.
The trade exhibition will showcase the latest in golf products, equipment and services.
It will cover more than 5000 square metres, making it the biggest golf exhibition ever held in Australia.