TurfNet Championship Showcase
From the World Cup to the Breeders’ Cup
Three Days. Three Championship Venues.
One Unforgettable Experience.
September 23–25, 2026 • Lexington, Kentucky
Why We Created the Championship Showcase
The Vision
Today’s turf professionals are looking for more than another trade show. They want:
- Hands-on equipment demonstrations
- Access to industry research
- Peer-to-peer learning
- Networking with industry leaders
- Practical solutions they can implement immediately
The TurfNet Championship Showcase was designed to deliver all those experiences in one immersive event.
Who Should Attend?
Who It’s For
- Golf Course Superintendents
- Sports Turf Managers
- Assistant Superintendents
- Directors of Agronomy
- University Researchers
- Equipment Managers
- Turf Industry Consultants
- Facility Owners & Decision Makers
EXPECTED ATTENDANCE:
40–50 highly qualified industry professionals.
This is not a mass-market trade show — it is a focused gathering of turf management decision-makers.
Why This Event Is Different
What Makes It Different
Most industry events offer
- Exhibits
- Education
- Networking
The Championship Showcase delivers
- ✓ Live Equipment Demonstrations
- ✓ Championship Golf
- ✓ FIFA World Cup Research
- ✓ Independent Turf Research
- ✓ Bourbon Trail Networking
- ✓ Keeneland Race Course access
- ✓ Direct Interaction with Decision Makers
Event Highlights
The Experience
01
Education
Learn from University Researchers
Dr. John Sorochan of the University of Tennessee discusses research behind developing playing surfaces for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and Kenneth Clayton of the University of Kentucky shares insights on some of the new and emerging turf management challenges in the Transition Zone.
03
Demo Day
Experience Equipment in Action
Participate in an exclusive Driving Range Demo Day at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club featuring hands-on demonstrations from the turf industry’s leading equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
05
Behind the Scenes
Go Behind the Scenes at Keeneland
Experience an exclusive Morning Works Tour at Keeneland Race Course, home of the 2026 Breeders’ Cup, and learn how one of the world’s premier racing surfaces is prepared and maintained.
Featured Speakers
Who You’ll Learn From
Dr. John Sorochan
John Sorochan, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor
University of Tennessee
John Sorochan, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor in turfgrass science within the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee. Sorochan has developed a reputation as a global leader in sports turf research and education.
For the past eight years, he has collaborated with FIFA to prepare playing surfaces for the 2026 World Cup across North America. Along with Trey Rogers, Ph.D., at Michigan State University, Sorochan was instrumental in developing playing surfaces at 16 venues and multiple climates across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Kenneth Clayton
Kenneth Clayton, Senior Agriculture Extension Associate
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky senior agriculture extension associate since 2022, Kenneth Clayton works with research scientists, other extension associates, golf course superintendents, sports field managers, lawn care operators and homeowners throughout the state.
A former golf course superintendent, Clayton has more than 15 years of hands-on turfgrass management experience. His work includes strategies for controlling Bermudagrass intrusion into zoysiagrass, a dominant turf species in the Transition Zone, and identifying, diagnosing and managing annual bluegrass weevil, which is rapidly expanding its range across the country.
Dr. Mike Harrell
Mike Harrell, Ph.D., founder and owner
Southeastern Turfgrass Research Center
Mike Harrell, Ph.D., is an independent research scientist who founded the Southeastern Turfgrass Research Center in Lexington in 2005. Today, his operation is one of the country's leading independent turfgrass research farms.
In cooperation with its sister facility in Anthony, Florida, Harrell works with leading global agribusinesses to develop seed, genetics, fertilizers and plant-protection products and solutions for the green industry.
The 252-acre facility also is home to a commercial sod operation.
Schedule at a Glance
Three-Day Itinerary
Wednesday
September 23
- 10:00 AM – 1 PM: Championship Equipment Demo Day
- Lunch with Exhibitors
- 1 PM – 5:30 PM: Golf Outing or Onsite Fishing Outing
- Hilton Lexington Downtown
Thursday
September 24
- 6:30 AM - 7:45 AM: Networking Breakfast
- 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Behind the Scenes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup; New and Emerging Challenges in the Transition Zone
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Southeastern Turfgrass Research Center Tour
- 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experience
- 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Networking Reception & Dinner
Friday
September 25
-
7:30 AM - Checkout/Depart Hilton Lexington Downtown
-
8:00 - 8:45 AM - Breakfast at Keeneland Race Course (Drive personal transportation there)
-
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Private Keeneland Morning Walks Tour including watching horses train/workout. Championship Racing Surface Management Presentation
-
10:00 AM (Optional): Observe Final Thoroughbred Auction of the Season
-
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Return home or extend in your stay in Lexington on your own
Host Hotel
Where You’ll Stay
Limited to 40–50 Attendees
Limited Attendance. Maximum Interaction.
To ensure meaningful networking and direct access to speakers, researchers, and exhibitors, attendance is intentionally limited. Reserve your place before it’s gone.
Secure Your Place
Register Today
Complete the form below to reserve your place at the TurfNet Championship Showcase. All fields are required.
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