We all do quite a few talks, seminars and other speaking engagements. I want to provide a cautionary tale for those folks seeking an ice-breaker to start a talk. Last week I had the opportunity to present a BASF presentation to the Long Island New York John Deere/Lesco meeting with approximately 350 LCO attendees. I was to speak just before lunch, so the natives were a little hungry and restless. To get to know my audience a little better, I asked them to raise their hand where appropriate….Who here works in the golf industry? (no problems). Who here works in the Lawn Care Industry? (no problems) ….Who here is a fan of the 2007 World Champion Red Sox? Napkins were rolled up and thrown at me, insults were hurled across the room and some folks even swore at me!! Red Sox Nation runs deep!

Thanks to Kyle Miller for helping me with another John Deere Lesco meeting in Taunton, MA. Again, well attended with over 350 LCO and related grass cutters. A segment of Kyle’s presentation discussed incorporating fungicide sprays into an LCO’s business plan. This is a stretch for most of these guys, but to separate oneself in a competitive environment such as lawn care, these companies need to think outside the “box”. Cool stuff. Thanks, Kyle.

This week was the New England Regional Turf Conference. I believe this is one of the Top 2 or 3 regional shows in the country! The education sessions are timely and appropriate, while the trade show floor bustles with activity on Tues and Wed. Toni Bucci arrived on Wed. and we attended a lunch set up by several golf course superintendents and the TurfLinks group. Then off to dinner with the Harrells sales reps. BASF’s development of new products and innovative formulations matches very well with our distributors’ business models. This was the most successful BASF / New England shows that I have participated in. Thanks again to Toni, Rich Kalik and Tom Hill for their support and assistance.

The snow has cleared with last weeks rains. Many golf courses are reporting a considerable amount of pink snow mold on fairways. Most sprayed areas are clean. No real reports of dead turf and/or gray snow mold. Temps have moderated and we are expecting 2-4 inches of rain this week, even into ski country. That will raise the flood warnings for the lower valleys.

Major trade shows are over, the next few weeks will be lots of travel and several golf course super talks. All will be in Red Sox Nation!