Registration & Badge Pick-Up

Breakfast

Welcoming Remarks and Updates from Allied Organizations

Matt Ginella – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, The Fire Pit Collective, Water Summit Emcee

Remarks — USGA

PANEL | Current State of Policy – Federal Level

Amy Ostdeik – Chief of Interstate, Federal, and Water Information Section, Colorado Water Conservation Board

Stacy Wade – Lower Colorado Basin Deputy Director, United States Bureau of Reclamation

Get the latest update on federal water management policy, and understand how it’s impacting the Colorado River Basin and regional planning decisions. How do things look for our area today, as well as in 3-5 years (based on current data)? You’ll also discover what federal funding is being provided to Basin states and communities to help implement long-term conservation strategies.

Networking Break

PANEL | Current State of Policy – Lower/Upper Basin and State Level

Robert Cheng, PhD – Assistant General Manager, Coachella Valley Water District

Amy Ostdeik – Chief of Interstate, Federal, and Water Information Section, Colorado Water Conservation Board

Colby Pellegrino – Deputy General Manager of Resources, Southern Nevada Water Authority

Sarah Porter – Director, Kyl Center for Water Policy, Arizona State University

Deven Upadhyay – Assistant General Manager & Executive Officer, Southern California Metro Water District

Hear real-time state-level policy updates from leaders in the regional water and conservation space. Discover what impact federal policy has on water management on the state and local levels, and explore actions being taken in the region to promote water conservation. How will your region and your facility be impacted in 2026 when current water allocation compacts/agreements expire? We’ll also discuss available financial assistance and incentives that golf facilities can tap to help meet water conservation goals.

Lunch

PANEL | Best Practices – Short-Term and Long-Term Tactics

Pat Christoffer, CGCS – Director of Agronomy, Red Ledges Golf Club (Heber City, UT)

Tyler Truman – Director of Agronomy, Mountain Vista Golf Club (Palm Desert, CA)

Curtis Tyrrell, CGCS, MG – Director of Agronomy, Desert Highlands Golf Club (Scottsdale, AZ)

We’re all changing our business processes to conserve water and reduce chemical applications on the golf course… but how are we getting it done? This session will dive into tactics you can implement immediately and plan for in the near future. You’ll hear from directors of agronomy how their facilities are planning for their capital investment, and how much they’re spending. Is ROI attainable? We’ll also discuss how golfers and their communities have been reacting to these modifications.

Networking Break

PANEL | Impact of Reduced Water – Examining Our Options

Parker Cohn – Founder & CEO, Performance Resource Management

Stephanie Duer – Water Conservation Manager, Salt Lake City

James Symons – Director of Agronomy, Anthem Country Club (Las Vegas, NV)

This session’s focus is on solutions. What options do golf course owners have to offset the impact of reduced water? What technologies can support golf courses’ requirement to reduce water consumption… and how feasible are they? This session will explore and delve deeper into various options with experts in water conservation.

Networking Break

PANEL | Marketing to Your Golfers — Customer-Minded Communications and PR Messaging Strategies

Thom Blinkinsop – General Manager, Red Rock Country Club (Las Vegas, NV)

Shelley Caiazzo – General Manager, Anthem Country Club (Las Vegas, NV)

Kevin Fitzgerald – Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Southern California Golf Association

As we continue this critical journey to reduce our water consumption, golf course owners and operators may need assistance in educating and informing various audiences about the positive actions being taken by the facility and the industry. Strategies learned in this session will not only help golf courses learn how to temper their golfers’ expectations of course conditions when less water is available, but also learn to communicate to golfers and their communities about the industry’s continued commitment to our sport, our environment, the economy and the Southwest lifestyle.

Remarks — Rain Bird

PANEL | New Research — What’s on the Horizon?

Dr. James Baird – Turfgrass Specialist, UC Riverside

Dr. Tony Koski – Professor and Extension Turf Specialist, Colorado State University

Dr. Bernd Leinauer – Regents Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist, New Mexico State University

Dr. Matteo Serena – Senior Manager, Irrigation and Research Services, USGA Green Section

The industry is constantly developing research that supports golf courses’ efforts to reduce water and chemical applications. Who is conducting the research and who else is involved? When can golf facility owners and the public expect to see this research? This session will discuss the types of investments a golf course business can expect to make to implement these new products and services.

Exhibitor Happy Hour & Closing Reception