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Program

ITRC Web Program now available at

The committee is represented by a wide cross-section of members from the International Turfgrass Society and is composed of 17 scientists and industry professionals from six countries. It is chaired by Bingru Huang (Rutgers University) and was charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Identifying a conference theme that embodies the major challenges that currently confront turfgrass scientists and the industry throughout the world
2. Determining cutting-edge topics that address the conference theme and identify keynote speakers to summarize the current state of each topic and potential directions for future research
3. Organizing title-summaries into a scientific program with appropriate subject matter sessions for oral and poster presentations
4. Conducting a graduate student oral and poster competition at the 13^th ITRC

Scientific Program (Preliminary Overview)

The scientific program for the 13^th ITRC is still in the planning phase and will not be finalized until after manuscripts have been accepted (after 1 July 2016). However, the Scientific Planning Committee has made significant progress in the following areas:

Theme for the 13^th ITRC

The committee has selected the theme "Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Environment" for the 13^th International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC) because it reflects the tremendous impact that the environment has had and continues to have on our personal and professional lives. It has tentatively identified four topic areas for keynote addresses that will address this theme.

Proposed Keynote Presentations

1. Phytobiomes - The study of phytobiomes is a cutting-edge area of science that will expand exponentially over the next 3-5 years. It encompasses the microbial community found within and around turfgrasses which is currently poorly understood. An overview of what phytobiomes are and how they might be harnessed to improve plant health and enhance pest and stress tolerance in a changing environment will be discussed. Read More
2. Sustainable Water Management - The importance of sustainable water management will only increase as the climate becomes more unpredictable. Current aspects of water conservation, mechanisms of improving water use efficiency, as well as the physiological aspects and differential responses of turfgrass species to heat and drought stress will be presented. Read More
3. Breeding for Climate Change and Sustainability - Major advances in turfgrass breeding have been achieved over the past 50 years; however, new strategies will have to be employed to ensure that tomorrow's cultivars will meet the challenges presented by a changing environment. Molecular and traditional approaches to turfgrass breeding focusing on new traits and strategies for improved plant health within the context of climate change will be addressed. Read More
4. Climate Impacts on Crops and Turfgrass: Building Effective Adaptation Strategies - This keynote address will focus on the development of effective adaptative strategies to combat the effects of climate change on cool- and warm-season grasses, as well as identifying opportunities to enhance turfgrass performance through a better understanding of how climate will affect management options. Read More

Tentative Categories for Oral and Poster Presentation Sessions

Oral and poster sessions will be categorized by subject matter area. The total number and topics of oral and poster sessions will depend on the titles and number of papers submitted to the conference. The following categories are currently being considered by the Scientific Planning Committee for inclusion as oral and poster sessions at the 13^th ITRC:

• Conservation/Environmental Quality/Pesticide and Nutrient fate
• Diseases (Plant Pathology and Microbiology)
• Ecosystem Services - Biodiversity
• Establishment and Maintenance (Seed quality, establishment and overseeding/reseeding, irrigation, mowing etc.)
• Genetics and Breeding/Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
• Information Technology/Education/Communications
• Insect and Nematode Pests
• Physiology, Stress Physiology and Ecology
• Soil Biology, Chemistry and Plant Nutrition
• Soil Physics and Rootzone Construction
• Weed Science

Each oral session will include one invited presentation (25 minutes), as well as volunteered presentations (15 min) that fit within the session topic. Every effort will be made to limit the number of concurrent sessions, but this will be dependent on the overall size of the conference.

Industry Session Sunday Afternoon, 16 July

The 2017 ITRC Industry Session promises to be a fun and educational event. This 90-minute session will provide a broad overview of the latest developments and trends in the turfgrass industry. Through several short presentations, attendees will learn about exciting new products and services, as well as ways in which several leading companies and organizations are helping to address challenges in the turfgrass industry. Light refreshments will be served just prior to the industry session, so come early and enjoy a drink before this educational session begins!

Graduate Student Competition at the 2017 ITRC

The ITRC will host a graduate student competition for both oral and poster presentations. Student oral and poster presentations will be evaluated within the following broad categories:

1. Pest management strategies
2. Turfgrass physiology and soil health
3. Genetics and breeding
4. Environmental aspects of turfgrass management.

Contestants will be judged on the innovativeness of their research goals, the robustness of their scientific methods, and the delivery of their oral presentation or appearance of their poster. Modest cash prizes and a complimentary ITS membership will be made available to the top three contestants in each category. Only one submission per student is allowed, and contestants must be enrolled as an active graduate student at the time of the meeting to be eligible for the competition. Students interested in participating in the oral or poster competition should indicate their preference on the title-summary form.

Zoysia Symposium Scheduled for Friday, 21 July 2017 Read More

Paper Submission

General Information

Transportation to/from Airports

AAA Limo - www.aaalimoonline.com - 888-777-3055 or 732-951-0111

All Brunswick Taxi - http://www.allbrunswicktaxinj.com/ - 732-545-0900

State Shuttle - www.stateshuttle.com - 800-427-3207 or 973-347-3144

NJ Transit - www.njtransit.com - 800-772-2287 or 973-275-5555

For additional ground transportation information, please visit The Newark Airport website https://www.panynj.gov/airports/ewr-ground-transportation.html.

Local Retail Stores in the Area

Delegate Registration Fees and Related Information for the 13^th ITRC

* Must be a student at the time of the conference and include name/e-mail of faculty advisor to qualify

The registration fee includes:

• Industry Update Session and Reception on Sunday afternoon, 16 July
• Welcome Cocktail Reception (hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, open bar) on Sunday evening, 16 July
• Access to all keynote addresses, oral and poster presentations, and symposia throughout conference
• Daily tea/coffee hour mid-morning and mid-afternoon (17, 18, and 20 July) and mid-morning (21 July)
• Breakfast and lunch 17-20 July and breakfast on 21 July
• Late-afternoon cocktail receptions with authors during poster sessions (17 and 18 July)
• Special James Watson Recognition Session and Reception Monday evening, 17 July
• Full-day technical tours including breakfast and lunch on Wednesday 19 July
• BBQ Dinner, Cocktail Reception, and self-guided research tour at Rutgers Hort Farm 2 on 19 July
• Twilight Dinner Cruise of the NY/NJ Harbor and the Statue of Liberty on Thursday, 20 July
• Special Zoysiagrass Symposium on Friday morning, 21 July
• Post-Conference Optional Tour of Adelphia Research Facility (home of the Rutgers Breeding Program) Friday afternoon, 21 July
• PDFs of all Conference Papers on a USB drive

ITRC Advance Registration is now closed. You are still welcome to register for the conference on-site at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. Registration will be located in the Atrium and will be open during the following hours:

Travel awards will be provided to students on a competitive basis. To be considered, applicants must be able to verify that they will still be a student at the time of the ITRC. Deadline for submission of student travel applications is 31 January 2017. Recipients will be notified by 1 March 2017. Read More

Accompanying Person's Registration Fees and Related Information for the 13^th ITRC

* Adults = 16 years or older; Children 3-15 years old; < 3 year old are free for all events.

The "accompanying person's package" registration fee includes:

• Welcome Cocktail Reception (hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, open bar) on Sunday evening, 16 July
• Accompanying persons tour on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (17, 18 and 20 July, respectively, including transportation and event fees; breakfast and lunch on own)
• Full-day technical tour with delegates including breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, 19 July
• BBQ Dinner and Cocktail Reception with delegates at Rutgers Hort. Farm 2, Wednesday, 19 July
• Twilight Dinner Cruise of the NY/NJ Harbor and the Statue of Liberty on Thursday, 20 July

Note: For those not purchasing an Accompanying Person's Registration Package, individual tours can be purchased separately (see a la carte menu on registration form).

• Wine and Cheese Tasting, Zimmerli Art Museum - Tuesday, 18 July 7-10 pm; US$ 35.00 (Must be 21 years of age or older to attend this function)
• Night at Citi Field Major League Baseball Park - Tuesday, 18 July 4:30-11:30 pm; US$ 90.00 (NY Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals)

Pre-Conference Tour:

Post-Conference Tour:

ITRC On-line Registration Form URL

Registration discounts listed above are available to ITS members, early registrants, students, and accompanying persons. So if you're not an ITS member, now is the time to join to save on your ITRC registration and to start receiving all of the benefits of ITS membership. Note that ITS Membership must be obtained prior to registering to receive the member rate. To become an ITS member or to renew your ITS membership, click here.

An extensive fund raising campaign has already generated over $250,000 and has been used to keep conference costs down and to provide support for student travel, as well as cash prizes for the graduate student oral and poster presentation competition. Sponsorship packages are still available to organizations that wish to show their support for the 13th ITRC and the turfgrass industry that it supports. To view sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Be sure to register soon, since many tours and events have limited space and availability is on a first come first served basis, and join the more than 500 participants from 26 countries who are anticipated to attend the 13th ITRC in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA from 16 to 21, July 2017!

Hotel Information for the 13^th ITRC

Hyatt Regency Hotel FULL - For Additional Hotels near the ITRC Read More

The Hyatt Regency New Brunswick (2 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ USA 08901; +1 732-873-1234) is the conference hotel for the 13th ITRC. (16-21 July 2017). The Hyatt is a state-of-the-art hotel and conference center that is centrally located in the heart of New Brunswick, blocks from the local theater district, and within easy walking distance to dozens of fine restaurants and shops. It is also in close proximity to three international airports and two blocks from the train station where ITRC participants and their accompanying family and friends can hop on a train and be in the heart of New York City within 45-50 minutes.

The following Special Discounted Conference hotel room rate has been negotiated with the hotel for conference attendees:

The $159 + tax single/double occupancy rate applies to rooms reserved for Friday - Sunday before (14 July, 15 July, 16 July) or after the ITRC (21 July, 22 July, 23 July).

The $169 + tax single/double occupancy rate applies to rooms reserved for Monday-Thursday before (12 July, 13 July), during (17 July, 18 July, 19 July, 20 July), or after the ITRC (24 July, 25 July, 26 July, 27 July).

To receive the special ITRC discounted rate you must make your reservation online at the link provided below. DO NOT contact the Hyatt Regency directly.

To reserve a room for the 13th ITRC click on the following link:

https://resweb.passkey.com/go/IRTC2017

Note: One night's room and tax or a credit card is required to guarantee your hotel room reservation. Requests for cancellation must be received a minimum of 24 hours in advance of your day of arrival to avoid cancellation fees. One night's room and tax will be charged for reservations not cancelled a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the arrival day.

Reservations at the discounted ITRC rates will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The discounted room rate will only be available through June 23, 2017, based on availability, so reserve your room soon!

Please note that transportation will not be provided from other hotels to the conference hotel.

Tours and Events

Take in the sights of Washington, DC and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a 5-day pre-conference tour that will provide a mix of history, fun and, of course, turfgrass. Hotel accommodations will be near major points of interest (the Nation's Capital, Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian) in Washington, DC, and close to the historic sights of Philadelphia. There will be plenty of time for sightseeing and visits to turf-related venues including the newly renovated National Mall, the Grass Roots exhibit at the National Arboretum, the National Botanical Gardens, National Park (the Washington National's Major League Baseball Stadium), Arlington Cemetery (the final resting place of US presidents and fallen war heroes), the Maryland Turf Research Field Day, Lincoln Financial Park (home of the Philadelphia Eagles football), PPL Park (home of the Philadelphia Union Soccer Team), and Longwood Gardens (the former summer home of Pierre DuPont and one of the most spectacular private gardens and conservatories in the world. Read More

Accompanying persons who are registered for the ITRC will have the opportunity to attend exciting excursions to the New York/New Jersey area during the conference. Daily trips will be arranged each day for a small fee to venues including the American Museum of Natural History / Hayden Planetarium (right next to Central Park in New York City), Liberty Science Center, Longwood Gardens, the Bronx Zoo (one of the premier zoos in the US), the NJ Adventure Aquarium, and a day trip to the beautiful white sandy beaches at Point Pleasant (a beach with an amusement park, attractions, and a classic New Jersey Boardwalk). Space will fill up quickly, so be sure to register soon. Read More

On Wednesday the ITRC moves outdoors for all-day Technical Tours showcasing major turf venues and landscapes in the New York/New Jersey area. The tours are included in the ITRC registration fee and will be open to all delegates and their accompanying family and friends who are registered for the conference. Attendees will have six tours to choose from. Venues will include a visit to Yankee Stadium, home to the world famous New York Yankees professional baseball team; the United States Golf Association Museum and Testing Facility; Bayonne Golf Club, called "the most audacious golf course in the world" by a writer for Sports Illustrated magazine; and the Red Bull Arena, home to the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer; the Met Life Practice Field (the practice facility of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants professional football team); Central Park (the world famous green oasis in the heart of New York City); two cultivated sod farms that supply many of the major sports venues in the eastern U.S.; Monmouth Park Horse Track (one of the oldest thoroughbred racetracks in the country); and the Bronx Botanical Gardens. At the end of the day, all tours will return to the Rutgers Horticultural Research Farm 2 for a cocktail party, an "American-Style" BBQ dinner, and self-guided tours of the turf research plots before heading back to the Hyatt later that evening. This will be a casual event with a "beach party" theme. Read More

Come join your colleagues, family and friends on a Twilight Dinner Cruise around Manhattan Island and the Statue of Liberty. This will be the capstone event of the 13th ITRC and is something that you will not want to miss. See the beautiful NY City Skyline as you cruise past One World Trade Center (the giant skyscraper that replaced the Twin Towers and is now the tallest building in New York), the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge which when it was built in 1883 was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Enjoy drinks on the deck, a great dinner, and dance the night away on your private dance floor. This event is sponsored by Syngenta and is included in the conference registration fees for delegates and accompanying persons. Additional tickets can be purchased by delegates for friends and family not registered for the conference. Be sure to register early since space is limited!

The New York City Convention & Visitors Bureau has an excellent website with a lot of great suggestions for what to see in New York City. Take a look... especially check out the "must see tab"! www.nycgo.com

Contact Information