 |
Presented in partnership
|
2007 IA show goes big
|
If you’re looking for a tell-tale sign of just how important water and its efficient application and distribution is to professionals in golf course management, lawn and landscape maintenance and agriculture, take a look at the numbers from the Irrigation Association’s recently completed International Irrigation Show.
The 28th edition of this industry staple that visited San Diego in December was the largest in the show’s history. Nearly 7,000 attendees made their way to Southern California to take advantage of the show’s focused mix of education and networking, while a record 360 exhibitors plied their wares on the trade show floor.
The conference portion of the show, tabbed “Innovations in Irrigation,” focused attention on cutting-edge technologies and philosophies in the industry, ranging from urban rainwater harvesting to the IA’s newest certification program for landscape managers, the Certified Water Conservation Manager, Landscape.
But the big numbers weren’t the only news of note to come out of the IA’s big event.
New IA president continues family tradition. Douglas W. York, the president of Ewing Irrigation, now has another president’s title to his credit — the presidency of the Irrigation
Association.
York is the third member of his family to lead the association as its president, following on the heels of his father, Raymon, who was president in 1986 and his mother, Susan, who was president in 1988.
York has more than 33 years of experience in the green industry and also has experience in leading professional associations like the IA. He previously served as the president of the International Association of Plastic Distributors.
Top IA honors handed out. Two longtime professionals in the irrigation industry and one of the industry’s most influential organizations were honored during the show.
Fred Harnisch, the president of Hydratec and one of the founding members of the Irrigation Dealers Association of California (later to become the California Agriculture Irrigation Association), and Gershon Eckstein, who is credited with changing the drip irrigation market with the invention of an integrated dripper, both shared the IA’s Industry Achievement Award.
In addition, that same organization that Harnisch founded — the California Agriculture Irrigation Association — was named the IA’s 2007 Partner of the Year. “This award recognizes a great partnership that strengthens both organizations and advances our shared mission to promote irrigation efficiency,” said IA executive director Deborah Hamlin.
Breaking new ground. The IA’s New Product Contest, one of the staples of the annual show, went to the Contractor Automatic Valve from Flowtech in the turf/landscape category; the Arrow-Breaker from Champion-Arrowhead in the specialty category; and FieldNet from Lindsay Corp. in the agriculture category.
For more information about the show and the award winners, visit www.irrigation.org.
At the 8th bi-annual Intelligent Use of Water Summit, hosted by Rain Bird Corp. and held recently in Pasadena, Calif., a panel of four experts discussed water conservation initiatives and landscape irrigation strategies. The four panelists — Mike Binns, regional landscape director for Camden Living; Roger Cook, landscape contractor for This Old House; Marty Eberhardt, executive director of The Water Conservation Garden; and David Zoldoske, director of the Center for Irrigation Technology — called for irrigation professionals to promote water conservation initiatives and management, and emphasized the need to question accepted trade practices. Eberhardt also was awarded the group’s Intelligent Use of Water Award. With increased water use restrictions, efficient management of water for greens is becoming a focus for today’s superintendent. In a GCSAA Webcast on Feb. 21, John Cisar, Ph.D., will discuss water use and irrigation management by C-4 bermudagrass turf, with limited roots grown in highly permeable sand-based root systems. For more information, contact GCSAA Education, 800-472-7878 (www.gcsaa.org/education/webcast/webcast.aspx). |
RECENT issues
 |
 |
January |
December |