After several years of static attendance, the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show experienced its largest increase in nearly a decade.
A total of 12,824 attended this year's show in Orlando, which is the most since the 2017 show, also in central Florida, attracted 13,600. That number also is almost 2,000 more than last year's show in San Diego (11,000).
Illustrating the ongoing need for quality turf education, attendees filled 8,074 seminar seats, a number the GCSAA says is a new record that has stood since the 2008 show in Orlando that drew more than 25,000 attendees. This year's event was bolstered by education tailored for assistant superintendents and equipment managers.
The trade show floor at the Orange County Convention Center featured 523 exhibitors (vs. 464 in 2025) and 178,600 square feet of exhibit space, an increase of 16% over 2025.
Several awards also were handed out at the show:
- Col. John Morley Award — Bob Alonzi, CGCS, Joe Alonzi, CGCS.
- President's Award for Environmental Stewardship — Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club Greenwich, Connecticut.
- Outstanding Contribution Award — Bert McCarty, Ph.D., professor emeritus Clemson University.
- Emerging Leader Award — Steven Spatafore, Los Altos (California) Golf and Country Club.
- Edwin Budding Award — John Patterson, CTEM, Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia.
Next year's conference and show is scheduled for Jan. 15-21 in New Orleans.