From the tropics of Puerto Rico and our 20th anniversary, TOCA now turns its sites into the new decade to the desert beauty of Tucson, Arizona, for our 21st meeting May 5-6, 2010.

The Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort is the location for our meeting and the hotel promises to “send us home with exceptional memories.” Eric Schroder of SportsTurf magazine is the chair of this year’s event. He promises a professional development program that will motivate, educate and enlighten you, plus provide plenty of opportunity for networking and professional “green” touring.

As many of you know, Shirley Bachmeier has retired as our meeting planner after more than a dozen years. She has been replaced by Jean Pederson, a meeting planner from the Twin Cities and highly recommended by Shirley. Jean is diligently putting together a program that will fit nicely with the flavor of the Southwest.

This is TOCA’s second trip to Arizona for a meeting, having visited Phoenix for the 2001 meeting. “Tucson is a quaint city with great charm, beautiful green spaces amidst the desert scenery,” says Den Gardner, TOCA executive director. “We are working closely with new TOCA President Jared Bodnar and TOCA board member Lacy Ravencraft, both of whom live in the nearby Phoenix area, to put on a first-class show.

Already some details are emerging:

• Possible reception at “The Last Territory”
  
  
• Roundtable discussions on various Green Industry topics
  
  
• Continuing discussion on Social Media for businesses
  
  
• Our popular PR/Editor panel
  
  
• Irrigation issues and breaking technology developments in the Tucson area
  
  
• A writing refresher course
  
  

An update on the meeting will be available for those who attend GIE+EXPO in Louisville in late October. Otherwise, keep watching our website www.toca.org for additional details.

“The city’s natural geography is a postcard image of cactus forests, rolling hills and awe-inspiring mountains,” as stated in promotional material from Tucson. “The yearlong mild weather is just right for all kinds of fun outdoor activities and thrilling adventures.”

“We encourage folks to look at our annual meeting for many reasons,” Bodnar says. “Tucson is a great city and TOCA members learn so much at our meeting and from each other. We look forward to moving beyond the economic challenges of 2009 and face 2010 with optimism and enthusiasm. We hope to see you there.”