60th Anniversary WCTA Conference Sneak Peek

Release November 8, 2023

After burning the candle at both ends all season, turf managers are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.  

As days get shorter, our organizing committee and staff are pouring on the coal, enthusiastically planning for a milestone event, our 60th Anniversary WCTA Conference and Trade Show, taking place Feb 14-16, 2024 in beautiful downtown Victoria, British Columbia at the renowned Victoria Conference Centre and iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel.

"We've got the pedal to the metal making sure everything is just right for our 60th anniversary show," stated WCTA Executive Director, Jerry Rousseau, adding, "Exhibitor registration was launched this week, delegate registration is expected to open late November and we'll be together in Victoria with 500+ of our closest friends and turf industry colleagues in just a few months!"

As always, everyone from the golf, sportsfield and all turf management disciplines is welcome to attend, from supers, assistants, turf specialists, spray, irrigation and equipment techs and crew leaders to those looking for CEC/CEU points and everyone in between.  

With that, our Planning Team is ready to provide a first glimpse into this year's program as follows:

Wednesday, Feb 14
Four pre-con seminars are being planned as follows:  

'Soil, Air, Water and BMP's'
Dr. Thomas Nikolai and Mike Rabe, Michigan State University

'Understanding Coaching and It's Importance'
Mark Colgate, University of Victoria

'CEC Point Central'
Mario Lanthier, Crophealth Advising & Research

Sports Turf Canada Presents 'Synthetic Turf Mtce Primer' (tentative)

Thursday, Feb 15
The main program kicks off with back to back to back keynote speakers followed by our Annual General Meeting, followed by a couple more hours of education on at least three separate tracks including two separate turf streams and a CEC/CEU stream.  A facility bus tour is being worked on, more details to come.  

At 3:00pm, our famous 'Turf Management Industry Trade Show Reception', formerly known as the Fest-of-Ale, will take place in Carson Hall ending at 6:30pm.

Friday, Feb 16
Be ready to go at 8:30am with our final day, again with multiple education tracks to choose from.  The trade show runs 10:30am to 1:00pm with lunch served on the show floor.

Following lunch, we'll have a final plenary turf session while concurrently hosting Turf Management 201 post-con seminar with top turf teacher, Stan Kazymerchyk from Kwantlen University.  After all that seriousness, we'll close the show with 45 minutes from the Victoria based comedy local, Michael Harrison with his performance called, VENTASTIC.

In total, we expect over 20 speakers delivering 30+ hours of education across separate education tracks.  Confirmed presenters so far:

Opening Keynote Speaker - Mark Colgate, University of Victoria
Dr. Thomas Nikolai and Mike Rabe, Michigan State University
Dr. Guillaume Gregoire, Laval University
Dr. Ben Wherley, Texas A&M
Chris Zerebeski, City of Saskatoon Parks Department
Sergio Pedroza - Seattle Seahawks
Stan Kazymerchyk, Kwantlen University
Mario Lanthier, Crophealth Advising & Research

There's much more to come but mark your calendars now and get a head start by booking your accommodation at our Hotel Partner landing page.

Further information will be released in the coming weeks with delegate registration expected to open soon.  See you in Victoria for our 60th Anniversary this February!