Third Annual TOCA Silent Auction

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.14″] Our TOCA Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C., is fast approaching! At the meeting we will hold our Third Annual Silent Auction to support the TOCA Foundation. Last year’s auction was incredibly successful; we raised almost $5,000 for the TOCA Foundation. Please consider donating this year. Items receiving high […]

Get Ready for Spring Running!

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.19.14"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.19.14"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.19.14"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.19.14"]By Dan Gardner, TOCA Special Running Correspondent For those of us who live in melting snow-weather states, running regularly in the spring is sometimes as much a challenge as running in winter. There are numerous running publications that can help you “survive” the wet surfaces. To save you some research time, here are some quick tips from running ace and personal trainer Ashley Crossman: If your running regimen was light for the winter, ramp up your miles very slowly – 10 percent, at most, each week. Be sure your shoes are ready for the spring and if not, buy yourself a new pair. You should replace your shoes every 300-500 miles. (Seriously, who runs that much a year. Just kidding!) Work toward a goal. If you are new to this running thing, try running for 20 minutes without stopping. Make sure you have proper gear, including a water-resistant jacket. Springs can result in very wet running surfaces. If you have seasonal allergies, consider running indoors until the allergy season dissipates. For those new at the running game and needing a pair of running shoes, don’t try to do this solo. Go to a running specialty store and have an expert salesperson fit you. This is a must because that person will determine what type of foot you have and then get you into the proper type of shoe. For those of you into running half marathons, here are some spring runs in the United States: Pride Run Phoenix Half Marathon, 10K & 5K, Phoenix, March 23; Salt Lake City Half Marathon, Salt Lake City, April 13; Flying Pirate Half Marathon, Kitty Hawk, N.C., April 14; New Prague Half Marathon, New Prague, Minn., May 4 (I’ll be running in this again – well, maybe NOT); Maine Coast Half Marathon, Biddeford, Maine, May 11; and Grandma’s Half Marathon, Duluth, Minn., June 22. Finally, as always, be thinking while you run/walk about all the ways to make TOCA the best membership association it can be and planning your trip to Charlotte, N.C., for the annual meeting. And don’t forget to sign up for the 5K fun

Registration Open for TOCA’s 30th Annual Meeting in Charlotte

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.14″] By Den GardnerExecutive Director Registration is now open for TOCA’s 30th Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C., from April 30 through May 2. As I did in the last issue of TOCA Talk, with “Carolina In My Mind,” let’s ponder the lyrics below and enjoy the link to one […]

The President’s Corner

By Scott Hollister, TOCA Board President For those of us who have been a part of TOCA for more than a few years, the fact that the upcoming annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C., April 30-May 2, will be the organization’s 30th such gathering is pretty hard to fathom. The organization’s first annual meeting in 1989 […]

Washington Association of Landscape Professionals

Northwest Landscape Professional is the official magazine of WALP. With over 1,500 copies distributed with each publication it reaches every member plus a broad number of industry professionals on a quarterly basis, offering companies a unique opportunity to target the Landscape Industry throughout Washington State. The Magazine is published March, June (annual directory issue), September […]

Digital & Social Media Consultant

Gardner & Gardner Communications, an association management group, seeks an experienced digital and social media consultant to develop and execute digital and social media strategy for association clients. Will turn needs into a strategy and then execute high value social media campaigns. You will be directly responsible for measuring social media effectiveness for creating brand […]

Plans Continue for TOCA’s 30th Annual Meeting in Charlotte

By Den Gardner, Executive Director TOCA’s 30th annual meeting is just four months away and the program committee is diligently putting the final touches on a meeting you won’t want to miss. As I stated in our previous issue of TOCA Talk, Carolina brings award-winning singer/songwriter James Taylor to mind – or is that “Carolina In […]

Gardner Award Winner for Writing – Publishing Series – Two or more articles

‘When the Creek Rises’ Gardner Award Winner for Writing – Publishing Series – Two or more articles Golf Course Industry by Debbie Clayton We asked Guy Cipriano, Golf Course Industry magazine senior editor, the following questions about his series “When the Creek Rises.” Please briefly describe your winning project. “When the creek rises” was a three-part […]

Gardner Award Winner for Special Projects – Marketing Series

Syngenta Divanem Nematicide Launch Gardner Award Winner for Special Projects – Marketing Series – Two or more articles by Debbie Clayton We asked Lyndsey Newnam, G&S Business Communications vice president, the following questions about her project, Divanem Nematicidie Launch. Please briefly describe your winning project. Nematodes are destructive, parasitic pests that feed on plant roots […]

Gardner Award Winner for Photography, Video and Multi-Media – Marketing Communications

Rain Bird’s ‘Defend Your Turf’ Gardner Award Winner for Photography, Video and Multi-Media – Marketing Communications Best Short Video/DVD Swanson Russell by Courtney Mullen We asked Jason Schmaderer, Swanson Russell vice president – account director, the following questions about his project, “Defend Your Turf.” Please briefly describe your winning project. To communicate key Rain Bird […]

Gardner Award Winner for New Media – Marketing Communications

National Aerate Your Lawn Day Campaign Gardner Award Winner for New Media – Marketing Communications Websites EPIC Creative by Dawn Rigby We asked Scott Covelli, EPIC Creative public relations supervisor, the following questions about the “RYAN – National Aerate Your Lawn Day – Campaign.” Please briefly describe your winning project. On behalf of our client […]

BIGGA Launches BTME Digital Media Centre

By Karl Hansell, BIGGA Communications Executive Large exhibitions by their very nature take up a large amount of resources. Bringing people together from all over Europe is no small feat, but the golf industry is making strides toward sustainability and we’re keen on leading that charge. British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) supports schemes such as […]

Winter Running

By Dan Gardner, TOCA Special Running Correspondent Now that the mid-term elections are over (are they still recounting?), it’s time to get back to some serious conditioning and enjoying the few tidbits shared here about running. Most of this article will deal with running in northern states – where there is snow on the ground […]

TOCA Offers $2,500 Scholarship

The Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Foundation urges college undergraduate students pursuing a career in green industry communications to apply for its $2,500 scholarship. Potential careers include working for trade publications, newsletters or companies/marketing agencies that promote the golf course, lawn and landscape, sod and nursery/greenhouse, sports turf or maintenance industries. TOCA scholarship eligibility […]