The 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show has been 100 years in the making, and the organization is throwing its members and partners a party to remember with tonight's Centennial Celebration.
From 6:30-9 p.m., attendees can celebrate 100 years of GCSAA at ICON Park at 8375 International Drive, Orlando’s premier open-air entertainment destination. Spanning over 20 acres, ICON Park is an ideal setting to join with fellow members, industry supporters and friends in reflecting on GCSAA’s past, present and future.
“We’re thrilled to bring together so many of our members, partners and the people who have helped build the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America into what it is today,” says GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “The celebration at ICON Park will be an unforgettable evening — filled with energy, connection and reflection. With live music, great food and vibrant venues, the night will bring the GCSAA story to life.”
To that end, attendees to tonight’s event can expect great food from ICON Park’s restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening, including live music, a DJ, dueling pianos and more. ICON Park’s attractions will also be available to enjoy, including the Orlando Eye, a 400-foot-tall observation wheel offering stunning views of the city. Adrenaline junkies can check out the Orlando SlingShot, which catapults riders up to 450 feet into the air, reaching speeds of 0 – 100 mph in less than two seconds.
The Centennial Celebration offers more than just a great party, however. This event provides attendees with a chance to celebrate the many achievements GCSAA and its members have made in their careers and in the industry at large over the last 100 years. It’s also an opportunity for GCSAA members, industry partners and friends to make valuable connections that can help careers and further the future of the golf course management industry.
“It’s a chance to honor the people, progress and passion that have defined our association for a century — and to look boldly toward the next 100 years,” Evans says.
Attendees to tonight’s event are encouraged to enter ICON Park through the main entrance off International Drive. Advance registration for the event is required, and admission to the Centennial Celebration is free for All-Access registrants and a guest. Full-Pack and Trade Show registrants who are GCSAA members will also receive free admission. Children under 21 are welcome to attend for no additional fee. A $60 fee applies for guests age 21+ of Full Pack and Trade Show Only registrants. Maps will be available at the entrances and throughout the park to help you find exactly where you want to go throughout the evening.
If you’re looking for even more ways to celebrate 100 years of GCSAA (or you can’t make it to the festivities Tuesday night), the Trade Show Floor offers a one-of-a-kind look into GCSAA’s history with the Centennial Experience at booths 2373 and 2361 starting tomorrow from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Take a look at the history of GCSAA and golf course maintenance with exhibits that explore the wide range of programs and services that have supported superintendents and advanced the industry. Learn how education, advocacy, innovation, environmental stewardship and community engagement have advanced through the organization’s history with a timeline celebrating key milestones and achievements.
Abby Olcese is the online editor for GCM