The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference

NEW YEAR DEAL - 1 WEEK ONLY

Did You Miss The Early Bird Pricing Discount?

For One Week Only - Take Advantage Of Our New Year Week Pricing!

This Week Only: Use the following promo code at the bottom of the page during your registration checkout to receive the discount.

Promo Code: NEWYEAR26

(Valid until January 12th)

Equipment Technician program available including topics relevant to the position such as braking systems, turfgrass operations, shop safety and a shop facility tour. An excellent opportunity for your equipment tech to network with those across the country. More details available soon with some speakers already confirmed below.

CGSA is excited to host The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference in Calgary, Alberta from February 24-26, 2026. The event promises to provide an excellent experience with first rate education, tradeshow, endless networking and outstanding social events.

VISIT THE EVENT WEBSITE

ANNOUNCING OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Bob Wilkie

The CGSA is excited to announce that Bob Wilkie will be the keynote speaker at the 2026 Canadian Golf Course Management Conference:

President, I Got Mind
Best Selling Author
Former NHL Player
PGA Professional
Award-Winning Entrepreneur and Athlete

Bob has spoken to groups of all ages and sizes for over twenty years. His story is both heart-wrenching and motivating. His journey through his life has been filled with twists and turns, successes and failures.

The keynote Bob will deliver to the CGSA event participants will provide direction, a course of action that any participant can begin to take to enhance their lives. Bob has always been passionate about helping teams of people learn about themselves as he knows it creates a more rewarding environment.

To learn more about our keynote speaker, Bob Wilkie, click here.

Confirmed Speakers

Lindsay Zubek

Founder | Plum Leadership Group

As Founder of Plum Leadership Group, Lindsay Zubek partners with clubs and hospitality organizations to strengthen leadership pipelines, elevate manager capability, and build cohesive, high-performing teams. Recognized as a go-to expert on manager training and development, Lindsay designs and delivers practical, research backed programs that help leaders thrive in member focused environments where service, consistency, and culture are everything.

To learn more about Lindsay and her education sessions available at the conference, click here.

Wendell Hutchens, PhD

Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science | University of Arkansas

Dr. Wendell Hutchens is an assistant professor of turfgrass science and pathology in the Horticulture Department at the University of Arkansas. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in turfgrass science and pathology from North Carolina State University. He received his doctoral degree in turfgrass pathology from Virginia Tech. His main areas of expertise are turfgrass pathology, precision management of turfgrass pests using emerging technologies, and winterkill mitigation strategies in warm-season turfgrasses.

To learn more about Wendell and his education session available at the conference, click here.

Dominic Petrella, PhD

Assistant Professor | University of Minnesota

Dr. Dominic Petrella is a native of Youngstown Ohio and received his Bachelor's degree in Biology from Youngstown State University. Dominic received a Bachelor's degree in turfgrass science and his PhD in turfgrass physiology at Ohio State University. Dominic is currently an Assistant Professor in Managed Turfgrass Systems at the University of Minnesota and his research is focused on turfgrass responses to light, shade stresses, high light stresses, and developing cultivars with improved tolerance to light stresses.

To learn more about Dominic and his education sessions available at the conference, click here.

Brad Jakubowski, CIT

Assistant Teaching Professor, Plant & Irrigation Specialist | Penn State University

Brad has been involved with the Green Industry for over 30 years, working within the golf course, residential/commercial, and sport field areas. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Teaching for Irrigation and Plant Sciences at Penn State University. In addition to teaching multiple irrigation and turfgrass management courses, Brad has taught meteorology and various sustainability courses and is an advocate of irrigation auditing and conservation.

To learn more about Brad and his education sessions available at the conference, click here.

Gregg Munshaw, PhD

Director of Agronomy | PARC Research and Consulting

Dr. Munshaw has had a 30+ year career managing, messing up, learning from, teaching about, consulting on, and researching various turfgrasses. He is currently Director of PARC Research and Consulting where they test grasses, products, and practices in the transitional climatic zone.

To learn more about Gregg and his education session available at the conference, click here.

Tyler Carr, PhD

Assistant Professor | The Ohio State University

Dr. Tyler Carr is an Assistant Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His research focuses on improving turfgrass cultural practices to develop sustainable turfgrass systems. His extension program strives to provide education and cost-effective solutions for the Ohio turfgrass industry.

To learn more about Tyler and his education session available at the conference, click here.

Paul MacCormack

Owner | Mindful Island Consulting

Paul has been part of the global turf family for almost 25 years. Working his way through the ranks as Greenskeeper, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent & General Manager have shown him the ups and downs of this industry. His career has given him a unique perspective on what it means to be a Mindful Super and has inspired him to share it with the industry as a whole.

To learn more about Paul and his education session available at the conference, click here.

Equipment Technician Program Speakers

Ryan Hurlbut

CRSP | Safe2day Inc.

Ryan is a seasoned safety pro with over 25 years of safety experience in several industries: golf, dealerships, hospitality, and industrial construction. Ryan is the lead Safety Consultant and Founder of Safe2day, and works with golf organizations to install and manage their legislated safety programs..

To learn more about Ryan and his education session available at the conference, click here.

Chris Whittaker

Turf Care Equipment Manager | The Winston Golf Club

Chris Whittaker, CTEM, is the Equipment Manager for the Winston Golf Club in Calgary, Alberta. He is a Red Seal Journeyman Technician in Canada with over 25 years experience repairing vehicles. After completing the GCSAA Equipment Management Certificate Program Level 1 and 2, he became the first international Certified Turf Equipment Manager in 2022. Chris is a recipient of the 2021 GCSAA Melrose Equipment Manager Experience.

To learn more about Chris and his education session available at the conference, click here.

To learn more about each speaker and session, click the above links.

To stay updated on the confirmed sessions and speakers, please visit the event website here.

The Location - Calgary, Alberta

The Canadian is taking place at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre with accommodations at The Hyatt Regency Calgary. This hotel is connected via indoor walkway to the convention centre where all education sessions and the trade show will take place. Special rooms rates of $209 have been secured for all conference attendees.

The Hyatt Regency Calgary is approximately a 20 minute drive from Calgary International Airport (YYC). If you will be arriving via air to Calgary, we have set up a discount code with WestJet to provide attendees booking flights to and from Calgary International Airport (YYC).

Hotel Accommodation Information

The Hyatt Regency Calgary (host hotel), has special room rates secured for all conference attendees.

Click here to book or for more information on the Hyatt Regency Calgary.

WestJet - Travel to Calgary

Get to Calgary via WestJet and save with the discount code below.

The code is 8C7E0HW and can be booked via website: www.westjet.com.You can book and manage your own booking with this code. For additional details of the offer, please click here.