As the first European Turfgrass Conference drew to a close in Pisa, Italy on 20th May, newly elected President Dr Marco Volterrani congratulated the organisers, scientific and editorial teams on the tremendous success of this event.
A packed two-day programme saw 200 scientists, members of the trade and turfgrass professionals from more than 14 countries, meet together to listen to nearly 80 presentations.
Volterrani said, “This conference was a wonderful opportunity for those concerned with the latest trends in turfgrass science and environmental issues concerning sustainable development to learn first-hand current findings.”
Dr Volterrani also thanked sponsors, together with golden and silver members, for their support with the conference. This allowed the original idea of founding a society to address European issues and the organisation of a dedicated conference, launched at a meeting in Verona in December 2005, to come to fruition.
During the first Annual General Meeting of the European Turfgrass Society, members elected the president Dr Volterrani together with a management board of Stephen Alderton, Adrianao Altissimo (secretary), Stephen Baker, Stanislav Hejduk, Klaus Muller- Beck, Alexander Richter, Gerrard Van’t Klooster and Cilluf Svensson.
Thanking the secretariat and provisional board for their work Dr Volterrani said, “There will be a technical visit and the next Annual General Meeting in April 2009. And the second conference will take place in 2010, when I look forward to welcoming everybody and having the opportunity to exchange key industry experiences.”
Full details of membership of the European Turfgrass Society and the proceedings of the conference are now available on the website www.turfgrasssociety.eu