Reinders kicks off 150th anniversary at 2015 Green Industry Conference

The Reinders 22nd Green Industry Conference, Celebrating Our Past with Our Eyes on the Future, was held March 11-12 at the Waukesha Expo Center in suburban Milwaukee.

Reinders began to celebrate its 150th anniversary by hanging banners in the show hall depicting significant events in the company’s history. Each morning began with a video presentation (right) which showed how the company has expanded from its initial roots back in 1866.

Some amenities from the event include homemade donuts and a Skee-Ball Entertainment Zone.

There were more than 35 seminars and six different educational tracts available for golf course superintendents, landscape contractors, lawn care operators, sports turf managers, equipment mechanics and irrigation contractors.

Jim Kerns, Ph.D., of North Carolina State University discussed sound turfgrass management techniques to help maximize turf health while operating under today’s budgetary constraints.

Dominic Frese, assistant superintendent at Meadowbrook Country Club in Racine, Wis., checked out the innovative GeoLink GPS-guided sprayer from Toro. The new sprayer, available this summer, can help courses save up to 14 percent on chemical applications. “The technology that drives it is amazing,” he said. “It could definitely benefit our club.”

Joe Vargas, Ph.D., Michigan State University, addressed pesticide use, which continues to be maligned by some members of the media. Vargas explained how many of the same chemicals used on courses are also used in human and animal medicine and how little are actually applied to the environment.

Bob Vavrek of the USGA Green Section reviewed a variety of tools available today including moisture meters, pH meters, light scouts, salt/salinity meters and more.

The latest locating techniques and features available for wire and valve locators were examined by Bruce Nelson of Armada Technologies. He discussed inductive clamps, inductive antennas and the pros and cons of low versus high frequency.

A hands-on golf irrigation seminar was given by Nick Hongisto of Reinders and Jim Sharp of The Toro Company. The operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of golf sprinklers and controllers were covered.

Mark Nelson of Briggs and Stratton reviewed troubleshooting techniques for the Vanguard charging system and electrical system.

Show attendees had the chance to win a drone and camera by visiting exhibitor booths. Paul Meyer, grounds specialist for the Franklin (Wis.) Public School District won a Phantom 2 by DJI.

Reinders has hosted this conference and tradeshow every other year since 1973. Its 23rd Green Industry Conference will be held in March of 2017.

View the slideshow below for photos from the event.

Photos: Golfdom Staff