News

IGCEMA & Toro Present the 100th BBQ

Details: Category: Tech Associations; Published: Friday, 10 December 2010 17:18; Hits: 8345

There is an old saying: “From tiny acorns do mighty oaks grow.” and the same can be said of the

IGCEMA Webchats. What started off as a casual comment has evolved into the long-running series

known globally amongst Techs as “The BBQ” and which is nearly as old as IGCEMA itself.

Over the course of the last 4 years 99 such prior gatherings have been held on a bi-weekly basis.

Each one proudly supported by The Toro Company and hosted on their webcast system for the

benefit of Turf Equipment Technicians worldwide. Next weekend sees the 'centennial' event – BBQ

#100 – as ever sponsored by Toro.

To mark the occasion an on-line party is planned and Toro have generously donated an array of

prizes for participants to enjoy. From caps & T-shirts through umbrellas to Tech Manuals (on CD

ROM) and even a 'Directors' Chair. One lucky attendee (BBQ'r in local terminology) will receive

the Turf Technician's ultimate tool – A Turf Evaluator! These prizes have all been donated variously

by different divisions within The Toro Company and are, according to Carl Osterhaus of Toro, a

way for the company to show their support of the Turf Equipment Technicians and the ideals of the

IGCEMA. A special web page has been created to host the event which can be viewed at:

Please take some time to view this site and the range of prizes and give-aways kindly donated by

Toro.

The BBQ's were conceived as a way of allowing Tech's to interact in a casual manner without

prejudice and to encourage networking and communication. Over the course of the first 99 events

some strong friendships have been formed within the core group of regular attendees (BBQ

Buddies) from around the world.

Since they are a 'virtual' event attendees enjoy banter with references to e-burgers and e-hot-dogs as

well as e-beers etc. all the while engaging in serious and sometimes not-so-serious discussion about

world events and matters closer to their 'home' profession of Turf & Golf equipment maintenance.

Many hints and tips are passed around and several instances of fault diagnosis have occurred during

the chat. On more than one occasion an IGCEMA member has dropped in to describe a fault and the

answer has been provided 'live' while he is on-line. Sometimes jokes are told, stories re-told and a

gripe is shared with many understanding ears.

“We have solved the worlds problems many times over” said one of the regular BBQ Buddies.

“It's almost a social service” said another...

No BBQ is complete without a discussion, at some point, on the topic of grinding reels.

The IGCEMA would like to thank The Toro Company and in particular Mr. Carl Osterhaus for their

generous support of the BBQ's and their fabulous donations of prizes for the 100th event as well as

understanding just what it is we, at IGCEMA, are trying to achieve.

Details on how to attend BBQ #100 can be found in the 'Local Association Meeting Room' section