2024 SFMA Conference draws in more than 2K participants to Daytona Beach

The Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) welcomed nearly 2,200 participants, including more than 1,350 attendees and 800 exhibitors to the Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The conference included four days of industry education, networking events, a field rebuild, product demonstrations and a live auction, all benefiting the SAFE Foundation.

Education sessions focused on turfgrass management, facility management, synthetic turf, pest control, water, industry developments, diversity and inclusion, baseball and professional development. Recordings from these sessions are now available for purchase online. The recordings are accessible on portable devices such as iPhones, iPads and other tablet devices and can be accessed at any time throughout the year. Full conference attendees have free, unlimited, lifetime access to the library.

The SFMA also recognized award winners, including Field of the Year recipients in professional, collegiate, school and parks categories.

Recipients of the Founders’ Awards, an award that acknowledges significant contributions to the professions, include:

• George Toma Golden Rake Award: Dr. Drew Miller of the Brentsville School District Turfgrass Management Program.
• Dick Ericson Award: Bill Marbet, Line to Line.
• William H. Daniel Award: Kristen Althouse, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council.
• Harry C. Gill Founders Award: David Pinsonneault, CSFM, CPRP, CPWP-M, Lexington Department of Public Works.