Registration Open for 2011 PGMS School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO

BALTIMORE (August 2011) … Back by popular demand with a stellar education lineup, the Professional Grounds Management Society’s (PGMS) 2011 School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO is set to take place Oct. 26-29 in Louisville, Ky. This annual event provides the best in green industry education while offering attendees the chance to network with and meet other green industry professionals.

PGMS, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, will kick off the 2011 School in Louisville with in-depth, behind-the-scenes tours of the Louisville Zoo and Bernheim Arboretum on Wednesday, Oct. 26 where attendees can get an up close and insider’s view of best practices at these well known sites.
In keeping with current industry trends, PGMS courses will continue to emphasize sustainable management practices and will include classes with topics such as “Sustainable Stones- Using Reclaimed Stones in the Landscape,” “Putting Sustainability to Work,” and “Budgeting for Grounds Managers.” PGMS Gold Partner Proven Winners will be presenting a two-part workshop focused on how to lure new premium clients and achieve more success with existing premium clients by selecting Proven Winners vegetative varieties for their projects. Classroom education programs will be offered Thursday through Saturday at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
On Friday the PGMS Awards/Installation Reception & Dinner will take place at the Galt House Hotel. The prestigious 2011 Green Star Award winners will be announced and recognized. The PGMS 2012 slate of officers will also be elected and installed.
Strategically integrated into the schedule of events offered at the GIE+EXPO, attendees have the chance to earn a School of Grounds Management (SGM) certificate. As the premier certification of its type, this certification focuses on four core competencies of grounds management. Those who complete the entire program (usually taking two years) are awarded an SGM certificate by PGMS. More information on the SGM program can be found at www.pgms.org/SGMProgram.htm. In addition to the SGM certificate, PGMS offers both the Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) and the Certified Grounds Technician (CGT) designations. Attendance at the School of Grounds Management qualifies as Continuing Education Units for both the CGM and CGT programs.
Helping PGMS to develop its dynamic education program are its Elite Partners. These industry giants include Platinum Partners: John Deere and Cub Cadet; Gold Partners: Bartlett Tree Experts, Kawasaki Motors Corp, Proven Winners and Toro; Silver Partners: Davey Tree and STIHL; and Bronze Partners: Echo and Midwest Rake Company.

Detailed information and registration for the PGMS School of Grounds Management is available online at www.pgms.org/2011school.htm.