WCTA Year-End Update

On behalf of the WCTA Board and staff, we hope you’ve had a successful and productive year.  As an association, we certainly enjoyed many positive outcomes over the past 12 months and look forward to continued efforts in 2017 directed toward progressing the turf management industry in western Canada.

First things First
Thank you all WCTA members who have submitted 2017 dues.  About 50% of the membership tends to take care of this before the end of each year, helping us greatly because January/February is so busy with conference production.  If you haven’t submitted yet, think about doing so by December 31st if possible.

If you’ve tried to get hold of us via voice or email in the last few weeks, thanks for your patience.  We’re responding as quickly as we can in the order requests are received.

2017 Conference registration is now open. 
- Everything you need to register for Penticton can be found at the following link:  http://wcta-online.com/conference/general-information/conference-program.  Again, earlier registration helps us in the office and it saves you money!
- The trade show floor is filling up quickly.  We recommend that suppliers who still need to register do this immediately. CLICK HERE for the trade show registration page.
- This year’s Dave Creamer Memorial Hockey Game stands to raise about $500 for this memorial scholarship.  We could use a few more players though, especially a (good) goalie!  If you’d like to participate, please let Larry Olson, AKA ‘Red Light’ know asap at super@pentictongolf.ca

Office hours between December 19th and 30th are reduced but we’ll still be processing member dues submissions and conference registrations so don’t let that stop you from sending these in!

Year in Review
- the 53rd Annual WCTA Conference and Trade Show, held for the first time in Whistler, BC, is now part of this association's history.  Feedback on the education program, food, venue, service and surroundings, among other things, was tremendously positive and we’re very happy that both exhibitors and delegates thoroughly enjoyed the event.  A successful show contributes immensely to our ability to support the turf management profession.
- $23,495 was raised for 2017 turf research project funding including our annual Silent Auction ($5211), Kwantlen Turf Club Student Raffle ($4010), the BCGSA contribution ($1250) and a portion of member dues ($12,824).  Thanks everyone for the support!
- First Ever 'First Green Sportsfield Edition' - On May 26, 2016, the Township of Langley (TOL) Parks Department partnered with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Western Canada Turfgrass Association (WCTA) and Sports Turf Canada (STC) to provide an outdoor educational program to a group of Langley Secondary School grade 9 students.
- A summer field day, in partnership with Sports Turf Canada, was held for the first time in Calgary this past August, hosted by Norley Calder.  Attendance was double our expectation and we’ve made a lot of new friends from throughout Alberta.
- Advocacy efforts became a major priority with the new BC IPM Regulation coming into effect July 1st.  Other regulatory matter involvement included the new BC Water Sustainability Act, consulting with Health Canada on two important turf fungicides, chlorothalonil and iprodione and major involvement with the Metro-Vancouver ‘Water Shortage Response Plan’ amendments.
- Most recently, the Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation awarded the WCTA its contract for administrative services.  Our mandates align well and we look forward to helping the CTRF in this capacity.

See You in 2017!
Much of our event planning and member service programming for 2017 takes place alongside conference production over the coming months.  If you have thoughts, ideas or suggestions on any of the association’s functions, now is a great time to let us know.

Thank you for your support of and confidence in the WCTA.  All the best over the holidays and throughout the New Year!