Cincinnati to Host the 2016 NFL Sports Field Manager Symposium

Source: Sports Turf Managers Association

10th Anniversary to be Held March 9-11

(LAWRENCE, Kan.) – NFL field managers and the Sports Turf Managers Association – the professional organization for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide – today announces it will host the 10th annual NFL Sports Field Manager Symposium March 9-11, 2016 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Drawing over 70 sports turf managers, the meeting includes representation from NFL groundskeepers, administrators and college academia. The event features various educational speakers from around the country, providing field managers with the most current research and newest industry trends.
 
"Each year we look forward to networking, exchanging ideas and providing an educational forum at the NFL Sports Field Managers Symposium," says Darian Daily, Cincinnati Bengals Head Groundskeeper. "We are constantly striving to produce the safest playing surfaces possible for our athletes and this gathering allows us to collaborate and share best practices."
 
Although not sponsored by the NFL, the meeting promotes direct communication between the NFL Operations department and the groundskeepers of each team. This offers a venue for field managers and administration to discuss concerns and produce more efficient on-field operations.
 
"Celebrating the 10th anniversary of this meeting is a testament to the dedication and commitment of my colleagues in sharing new ideas and maintaining safe and playable surfaces that are also visually appealing to millions of NFL fans around the globe," says Tony Leonard, Philadelphia Eagles Director of Grounds. "The information exchanged helps pave the way for a successful season on and off the field."
 
Hosting these meetings has led to various field managers joining several NFL safety committees, designed to provide more stable playing surfaces for athletes of all abilities.

The symposium's sponsors include: Covermaster, ProSeeds, Syngenta, Toro, Turface Athletics and World Class Athletic Surfaces. This year's sponsors contributed $3,600 to the Foundation for Safer Athletic Fields to support safe, sustainable sports and recreation playing surfaces for all athletes.
 
For more information about STMA: www.stma.org, www.twitter.com/fieldexperts, 800.323.3875.
 
About STMA
 
STMA is the not-for-profit, professional association for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. Since 1981, the association and its 34 local chapters have been providing education, information and sharing practical knowledge in the art and science of sports field management. Its more than 2,600 members oversee sports fields and facilities at schools, colleges and universities, parks and recreational facilities, and professional sports stadiums.

About SAFE
 
The SAFE Foundation was established in 2000 to fund research, educational programs and scholarships geared to the sports field profession. SAFE is a 501(c)3 and is the charitable arm of the organization of the Sports Turf Managers Association and works to enrich communities through championing safe, sustainable sports and recreation fields for all athletes.