IOG Annual Conference 2008

16th - 18th February 2008, Liverpool

Incorporating the Football Groundsman's Seminar and study tours

to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake and Liverpool Football Club.

 

Saturday 16th February

Welcome

Welcome Geoff Webb, CEO, The Institute of Groundsmanship

Keynote speech Derek Casey, Glasgow City Council

Environmental

 

	Contaminated land issues - built on a brown field site? What is classed as contaminated land and how is it identified? In the current climate of environmental management what are the implications regarding Health and Safety and what turf issues can be attributed to it? Noel McKenzie,Sports Turf Consulting		Green machines - it shouldn't cost the earth Have you considered the carbon footprint of your facilities? Look at the options for greener maintenance machinery and equipment, the technology behind its development and the impact this could have on the environment. Richard Hayden, STRI
	Drought and flood management - a groundsman's perspective Forward planning and management: In light of what appears to be a changing climate, gain practical advice on how to manage the extremes of flooding, drought and unseasonal temperatures. David Calderbank, The Environment Agency

 

Research and updates

	IOG Industry Research and Political Communications Update An update on the findings of the first piece of comprehensive, industry-wide research as well as an update on plans for IOG political communications and lobbying to raise the profile of the industry. David Carpenter, Trio+ and Mark Glover, Bellenden Communications		Pesticides A review of the outcome of the EU vote on the Amendments to the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive - what are the regulatory and practical implications of this for grounds professionals? Jon Allbutt, The Amenity Forum
	Sports Turf Aeration An introduction to the IOG/ECB joint funded research project into the aeration of fine turf areas. Chris Wood, ECB		Performance Quality Standards (PQS) Trials The outcome of the first set of PQS trials, piloted on clubs in the premier leagues of Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Warwickshire - see how PQS can raise or maintain standards of a playing surface. Martin Ford, ECB Fine Turf Project Manager
	Pitch contamination through flooding Supported by the IOG, Cranfield University responded to recent floods by undertaking research into the evaluation of risk to grounds staff, players, the public and the environment from flood sediments deposited on sports surfaces following the floods of the 20th July 2007. Find out the background, aim and results of this research. Dr Iain James, Cranfield University

 

Industry Training & Education

Industry training and development A practical introduction to key developments of innovative delivery methods of training and education • Continuous Professional Development Keep your skills up to date and reap the rewards with the IOG's CPD programme • Moodle demo Moodle or muddle? Discover how you can get the college qualification of your choice from the comfort of your own home. • Training and education update Find out the latest developments for industry training and education including the introduction of the new Level 3 in Sports and Amenity Turf Management. Ian Lacy, Head of Professional Services

Sunday 17th February

 

IOG Training & Education Group

 

Turf, seed and alternative surfaces

 

	Growth Regulators A consideration of the impact of a new class of growth regulators for sports turf. Simon Barnaby, Syngenta		Surface Stabilisation Currently being trialed by the ECB and Flicx UK Ltd, find out how Perma- Zymme binds soil particles and enhances root and leaf growth, potentially enabling use in either the sub-base or surface playing areas. What could this mean for the future of playing surfaces? Richard Beghin, Flicx UK Ltd and Chris Wood, ECB
	The management and maintenance of synthetic sports pitches - dispelling the myths? Trialed and researched by Andy McCleod at Cranfield University, get an insight into the first independent, scientifically based set of guidelines for the maintenance of synthetic surfaces. Dr Iain James Cranfield University		Turf management without chemicals - what's possible? Identify the important cultural maintenance operations and the innovative resources available, to sustain your playing surfaces without chemicals. Discover the use of grass cultivars resistant to disease and disorders as well as the growing media with built in biological control, and the effective use and removal of water. Stewart Brown, Myerscough College

 

* Study Tour at Liverpool FC:

 

Health & Safety

 

HAV's and Noise at Work Regulations Getting to grips with the law and guidance on its practical implementation - advice direct from the experts Alan Plomb, HSE

nteractive Health & Safety session Put your H&S queries to the experts and get practical, factual advice IOG Health & Safety Group

Monday 18th February

 

Football Groundsman's Seminar

 

	Welcome and Keynote speech Geoff Webb, CEO		Groundsman or Event Manager? The pro's, con's and pitfalls of a multi-use ground From football to monster trucks and everything in between - find out what life is like in the unique environment of modern, multi-use stadia. Tony Horne, Millennium Stadium Groundsman 1985 - 2004
	From Maintenance to Management Are you equipped to deal with the increasing demands placed on todays grounds professionals? Practical advice for the management skills required to negotiate your way to success. Davo-Ruthven Stuart, IOG Management Training Specialist		Football pitch construction - what is fit for purpose and does it fit the budget? Tim Colclough, Turftrax
	Drainage - is it required and what are the options? A consideration of primary and secondary drainage systems as well as the alternatives including an appropriate and effective maintenance programme and a look at the essentialoperations. Alan Penn, Fields in Trust		The impact of climate change on football pitches A look at the impact of recent climatic changes on pests and diseases in football pitches - the problems and the solutions Dr Ruth Mann, STRI
	Flooding - a football groundsman's perspective Following some of the worst floods on record this summer, find out what it takes to recover a pitch from severe flooding, as experienced by Sheffield Wednesday. Carl Pass, Premier Pitches

 

The IOG would like to personally thank the following Sponsors for their generous support at the 2008 Annual Conference:

 

 

 

Full reviews of the 2007 Annual Conference are available HERE

Full reviews of the 2006 Annual Conference are available HERE