Shawn Emerson shares what makes the unique format of the Golfdom Summit special

Since its launch in 2011, the Golfdom Summit has been a place of introduction and connection for industry leaders and vendors, all while celebrating the maintenance side of golf.

Shawn Emerson, consultant at Ethos Club and Leisure, Mooresville, N.C. (Photo: Shawn Emerson)

A recurring attendee of the last few Summits is longtime superintendent Shawn Emerson, now a consultant at Ethos Club and Leisure. A second-generation superintendent who spent much of his career at Desert Mountain Club in Arizona, he now resides in Mooresville, N.C. Emerson says the Golfdom Summit is one of the best industry events he’s ever attended because the event allows for relationships to be built.

Growing your network

Emerson is a member of the Legends Initiative, which honors superintendents for all they have accomplished in their careers. Other inductees include Bob Farren, CGCS, longtime superintendent at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort; Tim Hiers, CGCS, White Oak Conservation, Yulee, Fla.; and Matt Shaffer, superintendent emeritus, Merion GC, Ardmore, Pa.

Emerson says the Golfdom Summit helped expand his ever-growing network.

“I was allowed to meet so many vendors and manufacturers along with superintendents that I could share my thoughts with,” Emerson says. “I thought it was so neat because it exposes you to different views.”

Though he isn’t a superintendent these days, Emerson enjoys recommending vendors to his network of superintendents and trying to help them form new business relationships.

“I’m sure that I have recommended half of the vendors to different clubs or for people to call and set up business with,” Emerson says.

Networking opportunities, both with vendors and superintendents, are a favorite part of the Golfdom Summit among attendees. (Photo: Golfdom staff)

Trying new products

Emerson says the unique format of the Summit helps attendees network, get into more detail about questions and learn how new products work. The meeting combines boardroom presentations with 1-on-1 meetings for all superintendents and vendors.

“Instead of reading about certain products or trying to hunt down a representative, you are actually in front of the people you want to talk to when you’re at the Summit,” Emerson says. “Sometimes, we get caught in the speed of our regions or become creatures of habit through meeting the same people and using the same things.”

Companies he has recommended through the Summit include Turfco, Frost Inc., Husqvarna, Pogo TurfPro and Kafka Granite.

For Emerson, the Summit is an opportunity to look at national-level products. With the vendors and superintendents present at the event, he can attempt to solve problems by recommending what he feels are the best products.

“I have a connection where I can put the people together,” Emerson says. “I always say that superintendents need to be open to trying different things to improve themselves and their course. It’s about looking to the future. A line that I use is, ‘Some superintendents have 12 years of experience and some can have the same experience 12 times.’”

Moving forward

Because of his membership in the Legends Initiative, Emerson gets to come back to the Summit each year.

“Though the vendors may be the same, it never feels stale because of the different superintendents who add a lot to the program,” Emerson says. “You walk around the room and get to talk to your fellow peers to see how they handle situations.”

The 2023 Golfdom Summit takes place Dec. 6 to 8 at Reunion Resort in Orlando. Apply to attend here.