Toro’s third annual Grounds Leadership Academy is in the books. Twenty-five grounds managers from a variety of sectors were selected for the immersive event at Toro Headquarters in Bloomington, MN.
Attendees included professionals from municipal settings, parks and recreation, K-12 schools and universities, professional sports and more. This diverse group created a rich environment for networking and learning from the varied experiences of fellow professionals.
Featuring engaging panel discussions, insightful speakers, valuable networking opportunities and product demonstrations showcasing Toro’s latest innovations, the four-day event was jam-packed with opportunity. This year’s themes were leadership, innovations and marketing, aiming to help participants apply them to their unique roles and responsibilities.
• Leadership — What it looks like and how you can more effectively train, retain and lead teams.
• Innovation — What it looks like and how you can apply it to your operations to promote future breakthroughs and sustainability.
• Marketing — The importance of marketing and creating strategies to develop a personal brand.
Attendees also got a hands-on look at equipment, test-driving newly-released models and experiencing equipment not yet on the market, such as:
• Turf Pro Autonomous mower
• GeoLink® Solutions™ Autonomous Fairway Mower Series
• Latest in irrigation technology
• Workman product line, including the UTX, GTX, MDX and Vista
• Groundsmaster line, featuring the e3300
Feedback from this year’s participants was clear — the Grounds Leadership Academy isn’t just another conference, it’s where you come for valuable insights that help you grow as a leader and real-world strategies that make your operation better. Here’s what attendees had to say:
“This was an amazing experience. I would highly recommend this to others in the industry!”
“I appreciated the experience with the autonomous and electric products. To be able to see/test drive them was a valuable experience. Also, with some of the other products available for test driving, this has allowed me to open conversation with my team and discuss what direction we want to head with future equipment purchasing.”
“I thought that the keynote presentation was excellent. The presenter, Theresa Glomb, had such outstanding and important information to share with the group. Her skill and expertise were evident. In all my experience and years attending events like this, she was by far the best with the most pertinent info for my position.”
Thank you to everyone who made this year a success. We look forward to continuing the Grounds Leadership Academy for many years to come. Keep an eye out in early 2026 to apply for your spot in next year’s Academy.
