The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) hosts the Canadian Golf Course Management Conference annually.  The CGSA represents golf course superintendents from across Canada.  Its mission is to promote and support the profession.  The association is also committed to environmentally sustainable practices with respect to the management of golf course properties.

The CGSA is currently inviting proposals from speakers/facilitators/presenters for the 2024 event scheduled for Montreal, Quebec in late February.

Session Formats

• Turf Talks (15 – 20 minutes): These sessions are intended to share one topic or snapshot of an idea and how that was implemented along with the outcome of that project or idea

• Panels (60-90 minutes): Dive deep into a specific issue and highlight various strategies and approaches to common problems facing leaders today. Panels that explore different approaches to similar challenges are particularly welcome

• Interactive sessions (60-90 minutes): Explore topics in sessions that allow for participant engagement. Talented moderators who want to propose facilitated discussions on defined topics are welcome

• Lectures (60 – 90 minutes): Are you demystifying new concepts or introducing new ideas? We know that some content is best delivered in a seminar format

• Specialized Learning Workshops: These sessions can be between 2 and 4 hours in length and will feature detailed information exchange between presenter(s) and attendees. These may be incorporated into the main educational sessions or offered prior to the full event

Presenter Qualifications

CGSA welcomes proposals from professors, consultants, superintendents, assistants, equipment technicians or suppliers.  CGSA is especially looking for those who can help to engage and inform delegates.

While knowledge of the topic area and speaking skills are expected to be strong, it is not necessary to have previous speaking experience.  A desire to share your insights and ideas, plus a demonstration of how you will engage the audience and invite interaction will be highly valued.  Many delegates will use these sessions as ways to generate ideas and plans for their own place of business, so it would be beneficial to showcase new, interesting and innovative ideas.

It is imperative that sessions presented for inclusion in the main program be non-commercial or sales oriented in nature. 

As attendees will primarily be from Canada, presenters will need to have an understanding of the conditions faced by delegates and products available here.

Goal for the Event

Speakers should challenge and engage the community of turfgrass professionals.  All participants will be inspired to develop new strategies and expect to be able to take away practical tools and ideas that they can implement both at work and in their daily lives.  They also look for sources they can tap into for future support. 

Suggested Topics

The educational program will present a range of topics relevant to the golf course superintendent and those who work in the industry; including the operation of a maintenance facility. 

Presentations should be tailored to Advanced and Intermediate audiences.  We ask that you explore options that have influenced your current success. 

Suggested topics for the event include, but are not limited to:

Turf Management

• Must be new, unique approaches to problems or new information
• Disease, weed or pest management

Golf Course

• Construction
• Irrigation
• New, unique approaches to on-course issues

Facility Management

Project Management

• Events
• Construction
• New maintenance facility
• Renovations

People Management

• Hiring and recruiting employees
• Retention and workplace culture
• Mental health of yourself and team members

Financial Management

• Second level financial management and not basic budgeting

Technology

• New and/or unique uses to employ technology for better communications, record keeping, budgeting, etc.
• New and/or unique uses that have been used for better management of facility and/or turf management

Equipment Management

• Hydraulics
• Electrical systems
• Fleet management
• Record keeping
• Engine technology
• New technology

Personal Development

• Time management
• Communications and dealing with difficult conversations
• Health and well-being

Speaker Fee

CGSA will consider an honorarium for sessions along with reasonable travel and meal expenses.  Note that no alcohol will be reimbursed and only expenses with valid receipts must be included for reimbursement.  However, speakers may wish to offer their presentation services complimentary and will be recognized as such. 

Submission Criteria

Please include the following information when sending your submission:

• Full name and contact information including mailing address, phone number and email
• Title of workshop or session and requested length of time for presentation
• Session description that should describe your topic of presentation. This description may be used in its entirety in promotional materials.  Should you be selected as a presenter CGSA reserves the right to revise the description
• Learning Objectives – please include at least two learning objectives for those who will participate in the session. These should answer the question; at the end of this session participants will….?
• Biography of the presenter – outline the skills that would make the presenter a good fit for this presentation including any relevant education and or life experience
• Speaker Fee – please indicate your fee if any to provide this session or workshop and if there is any expectation of conference package, travel and meal reimbursement
• As the conference will be taking place in the province of Quebec, please indicate your comfort level for presenting in French

Submission Due Date and Information

Please send your submission by June 12, 2023.

All submissions should be sent to Kathryn Wood, CMP via email at kwood@golfsupers.com.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kathryn Wood at 1-800-387-1056, ext 23.