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Presented in partnership with
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Vital and valuable
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Photo illustration by Kelly Neis |
Don’t let the value of your attendance at the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show fade as spring starts to blossom. You can make your trip to Orlando last throughout the year by communicating and promoting its value to your facility. While you can’t rehash everything you learned in Orlando verbatim, providing highlights and talking points to others at your facility shows that your trip to the conference and show was time well spent.
GCSAA can help you in your Golf Industry Show communication efforts. The Attendee Tool Kit provides some simple suggestions for ways to communicate the benefits of your attendance and how to plan for New Orleans 2009. Some of the tips in the tool kit include how to:
• Complete a report for your staff, peers and supervisor/employer to educate them on industry trends and what they mean for the facility.
• Share your experience with golfers at your facility. Use the opportunity to educate them on how your time at conference and show will enhance the facility and talk about any specific projects that you may be managing where your attendance at conference and show was a benefit.
• Justify the cost of attending by evaluating what, if you had not attended, would have been the cost and time to do the same amount of business.
• Calculate the money you save on show-only specials.
As the year progresses, be sure to let your employer know if an idea or tip from the show assisted you in your daily operations or
on a special project.
You can also let your community know about your attendance by completing a ready-made GIS attendance news release available at www.gcsaa.org early this month. To create your news release, simply fill out the requested information, print out the results and send it to your local media outlets. This release can serve as a starting point for discussions with your local media about your facility, your association and your profession. If you have never sent out a news release before, it can provide an easy way to introduce yourself to your local business and sports writers.
By keeping your employer and your community (including golfers) in the loop about your show attendance and the benefits gained, its value becomes clear. And, as you begin to plan for your trip to New Orleans in 2009, your employer will see how GIS attendance is a vital part of your annual budget.
According to The Kiplinger Letter, labor shortages will become more severe in the next five to 10 years due to an aging population, education weaknesses and a lack of visas for workers from abroad. On top of that, relief from Congress isn’t expected any time before this year’s presidential elections. To counter this trend, consider a few creative strategies. Take into account some untapped groups, such as stay-at-home parents ready to work, disabled citizens and seniors who want to go back to work full time or part time. Scout out young candidates by attending job fairs at local schools, employing summer job programs or developing internships. Be proactive with job training, and consider turning to a community college for help. Keep up with technology to boost productivity and attract young workers. Until long-term effects kick in, retain your staff by keeping workers happy. Cater to older staff with part-time work, flexible hours and opportunities to mentor future replacements. |
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