RISE hosts first industry update of 2024 at GCSAA Conference and Trade Show

Speakers from the Jan. 31 RISE Industry Issues Update breakfast during the 2024 GCSAA Conference were (from left): Mitch Savage, CommonGround Golf Course; Megan Provost, RISE; David Robinson, Marriott Golf; and Neil Cleveland, PBI-Gordon Corporation. (Photo: RISE)

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) hosted its first Industry Issues Update of 2024 during the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix.

The breakfast forum convened industry leaders and GCSAA members nationwide to discuss RISE’s priority issues and stress the pivotal role of grassroots engagement in shaping the future of the golf and specialty pesticide and fertilizer sectors.

“The Industry Issues Update is a unique opportunity for leaders to strategize the critical issues facing our industry in 2024. This collaborative effort amplifies the voice of the industry and positions us for success in the year ahead,” said RISE Governing Board Vice Chair Neil Cleveland, senior vice president and general manager of PBI-Gordon Corp.

“You are the experts. Policymakers and regulators need to hear from you about the benefits of pesticides and the robust regulatory framework that supports their availability and responsible use,” Megan Provost, president of RISE, said. “As leaders, it is crucial we align our priorities and work collaboratively to address the challenges and opportunities before us.”

Mitch Savage, CGCS, superintendent at CommonGround GC in Aurora, Colo., and David Robinson, CGCS, senior director of golf grounds for Mariott Golf in Orlando, Fla., shared their first-hand advocacy experiences, encouraging members to engage in grassroots efforts with RISE and their respective states.