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ATA Turf News – Alabama Turfgrass Association

It is with regret that we notify you that our 2020 Deep South Turf Expo, originally scheduled for November 4-5, 2020, at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center has been cancelled. After careful consideration, our Board of Directors made this decision since we cannot guarantee the positive and rewarding experience that our attendees and exhibitors have come to enjoy each year in Biloxi. A successful Conference and Trade Show relies on in-person networking, face-to-face business meetings and hands-on instruction that will simply not be possible, given the continued social distancing measures that we anticipate will still be in place throughout the remainder of this year. With so much uncertainty, the board feels it prudent to forgo our education program and trade show and focus on making the 2021 Deep South Turf Expo the best ever!

Tournament

Rather than completely miss an opportunity to have our group come together this year, the DSTE is going to host DSTE 2020 Reinvented: Tournament, Trade Show and Tailgate! Tournament will be hosted by The Preserve Golf Course on Monday, October 26^th. This will allow us ample space to socially distance and gather, while keeping the spirit of the DSTE alive for next year. October will be a great time to play this Certified Silver Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Golf Course. One of the only 21 golf courses in the world to receive this prestigious designation, the Preserve is committed to helping preserve the natural environment, while maintaining pristine playing conditions. Judging from the popularity of past DSTE Tournaments at this course they have succeeded! Many thanks to Jeremy Stevens and Stephen Miles, CGCS for hosting the tournament, and their dedication to the Deep South Turf Expo since its inception!

Trade Show

In addition to the golf tournament we are offering opportunities for our vendors to showcase their products during the tournament by displaying on a hole during the golf tournament. Players and attendees (aka customers) will come by on their golf carts, or people carriers, and visit with you. Registration includes exhibit location and entrance to the tailgate celebration. Since we will have limited space, we suggest you register ASAP.

Tailgate

The Tailgate Picnic, which was so popular last year, is being reprised. Whether you golf or not, we encourage everyone to come by for the Tailgate, sample some great food, listen to some great music, and gather with their peers. Please SAVE THE DATE! There will be rooms available at the Beau Rivage for special rates on Sunday and Monday nights.

While it is of primary importance to the Deep South Turf Expo mission to offer an outstanding education conference each year, there were many factors that determined that we would be unable to host the wonderful program that had been planned. Even a scaled-down live version of this conference would be difficult. Our host hotel, the Beau Rivage, has been mandated to reduce occupancy and many universities have eliminated travel of their faculty during this time. In addition, many of our exhibitors have had travel budgets frozen and could not confirm that they would be able to exhibit until this fall. Our committee is still working on making some offerings that would enable our attendees to get points on a digital platform. As soon as confirmation can be made, we will promote and share this information.

The Deep South Turf Expo Board and staff wish you and your family a safe summer. Whether you play in the golf tournament or not, we hope you will come to the tournament and tailgate. We miss you all and would love to see you there!