It’s late August, and the GCSAA Conference and Tradeshow (CTS) may not be the first thing on your mind, however, there are currently two fabulous opportunities available for GCSAA members to attend the 2025 GCSAA CTS in San Diego this February. 

The Melrose Leadership Academy and Melrose Equipment Management Experience applications are currently open through September 15.

If you’re unfamiliar with the programs, the Melrose Leadership Academy was established in 2012, while the Melrose Equipment Management Experience was established in 2019. Both programs were founded by the late Ken Melrose, the retired CEO and chairman of the board of The Toro Co. The programs are supported by a gift to the GCSAA Foundation from The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation and provide recipients:

• All-Access Registration for the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Tradeshow
• Hotel accommodations
• Round-trip airfare or mileage reimbursement 
• Networking with GCSAA and The Toro Co. leadership, as well as
  education sessions in business, communication and advocacy

Melrose Leadership Academy Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a current GCSAA Class A or Class B member and GCSAA Chapter member in good standing
• Must be a Class A or Class B member for five or more years
• Class A or Class B members working for current members of the GCSAA Board of Directors or Foundation Board of Trustees, and children of GCSAA staff members shall not be eligible for the Melrose Leadership Academy
• Past recipients are not eligible
• Attendees of the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2020 are not eligible to apply; Attendees of the 2021 virtual event are eligible

Melrose Equipment Management Experience Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a current Class EM member in good standing
• Must not have attended the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in any of the previous two years prior to selection into the program (2022 or 2020); attendees of the 2021 virtual event are eligible
• Past recipients are not eligible
• Active Equipment Manager Task Group volunteers are not eligible
• EM members working for current members of the GCSAA Board of Directors or the GCSAA Foundation Board of Trustees and immediate families of GCSAA staff members shall not be eligible

If you’re a GCSAA member and are eligible to apply, please do so over the next couple of weeks. Both programs are truly wonderful opportunities to advance your career and benefit from the personal and professional development the GCSAA Conference and Tradeshow provides. See you in San Diego!