Message from the President

[JohnPatterson]

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I welcome you to the second full year for the IGCEMA. Our first year was remarkably productive; with 330 registered Members, Webcasts, Trips to the Golf Industry Show, the beginnings of an industry-specific Certification Program, excellent working relationships established with all the major Equipment Manufacturers, BIGGA, FEGGA, the GCSAA, and much more.

Much of the IGCEMA’s success to date is directly attributable to our past President, Stephen Tucker. Supremely modest, Stephen has always been quick to say he was not in the driver’s seat – just helping to push the gas. I don’t believe this Association could have gotten off the ground without Stephen’s vision, drive, or professionalism. Stephen is one of those guys who is constantly questioning the status quo; asking “why can’t we?” and “what do you think about…?”. Moving forward, Stephen will be concentrating on Web Site development and reaching out to Members and Sponsors with the Media Committee.

As we enter our second year, I look forward to building on the strong foundation we have in place, and expanding as many programs as Membership involvement will allow us to. I feel strongly that as an Association, we can only progress as much or as quickly as Membership involvement allows. That’s why one of my main priorities this year will be to search for additional Committee Members and require participation from all our current Committee Members. One of my favorite sayings (and I have a few) is: “Many hands make light work”. This is especially true of a web-based Association because much of the work can be done at your convenience, when time permits. With electronic communication tasks can be handled by people from ten time zones, and then put together in one meeting via free Webcast.

The major focus right now is on the upcoming Golf Industry Show in Orlando, FL at the end of the month. We are finalizing preparations for the show and look forward to seeing all of you there at our booth (#1129) and reception, where the first annual Edwin Budding Award will be presented. We will have the Web Site live in the booth during the show and will be able to demonstrate all we have to date, from web casts to live chat, to forums. We have also set up a meeting with representatives from Equipment Manufacturers and the GCSAA to discuss the Certification Program, and will have a sample test loaded and ready to demonstrate. My goals for the show are simple: get the word out to as many people as possible about the Association, and get us one step closer to an industry-accepted Certification Program.

In the coming months we will also be working on a few things to enhance the Web Site “package” for our Membership. IGCEMA.ORG is the main focus of our Association, and we will be working hard to provide a “state-of-the-art” browsing experience for our Membership and Sponsors.

To coin a phrase: What do you think? Please let me know what you expect from this Association, and please let me know how you would like to help us to help you. If you haven’t yet considered Committee Membership, please do – it doesn’t take much effort to make a real difference!

John Patterson
IGCEMA President

Fleet Service Manager
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort
4400 NW 87th Avenue
Doral, FL 33178

john.patterson@igcema.org || Office (305) 591-6408 || Cellular (786) 999-3133 || Nextel D/C 159*5446*66

[JohnTutchen]

Congratulations upon your appointment Mr. President.

I agree that 2007 was a period of exciting development.

For 2008 I would like to see continued development of the 'Meeting-in-a-Box' concept that was mooted earlier. I feel there are many members (my self included) who are in places with no formal Local Association of Techs and whom need assistance with the formalities of setting such a local association up.

Regards.

[JohnPatterson]

John -

Thank you for the congratulations. The "MIAB" has already been added to the goals list for 2008 and will be a priority moving forward with our outreach plans.

Regards -

[JohnTutchen]

Well, you're welcome sir and I'm delighted to hear that.

Thank you.