New Orleans to Host 2027 GCSAA Conference in January
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America returns to the city for a four-day industry event.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Golf
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The GCSAA will hold its 2027 Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans from January 18 to January 21. The industry event is scheduled intentionally to avoid the peak Mardi Gras season to prevent potential hotel shortages and price increases.
Why it matters
The conference brings professional turf management experts to the region to utilize the citys upgraded facilities, including the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Organizers carefully planned the dates to ensure attendees avoid the peak Mardi Gras holiday rush.
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center spans over 3 million square feet, while the nearby Audubon Park Golf Course maintains high volume with 40,000 rounds of golf annually. The city has been upgrading infrastructure with a $557 million renovation project.
The players
GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America is the leading professional organization for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States.
Randy Smith
A long-time member of the GCSAA with 31 years of experience, he is coordinating equipment review for future course renovations.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
This facility is a massive exhibition space in New Orleans that has undergone extensive capital improvements to accommodate large-scale trade shows.
Audubon Park Golf Course
Located in New Orleans, this public course is a prominent venue that will serve as a host site for professional facility tours during the conference.
The details
Attendees will participate in five scheduled Interactive Facility Tours, including visits to local venues like the Audubon Park Golf Course. Randy Smith, a long-time member, intends to review new equipment during the trade show to prepare for a planned 2028 renovation.
Timeline
The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is set for January 18-21, 2027.
New Orleans last hosted a GCSAA conference in 2009.
Renovations at the convention center began in 2018.
Mardi Gras Day occurs on February 9, 2027.
A major renovation at Audubon Park Golf Course is planned for 2028.
Season Trajectory
The return of this massive conference follows the 2009 GCSAA New Orleans conference, marking a significant return to the regional circuit. This positioning leverages the recent $557 million renovation of the convention center to draw major industry players back to the city.
The conference schedule allows local industry professionals to attend tours at five different area courses, including TPC Louisiana and English Turn Golf & Country Club. Local golf enthusiasts should note that the increased volume of attendees could impact tee time availability at host courses.
The takeaway
Attending industry trade shows provides course managers with direct access to the latest maintenance equipment and facility management technologies. Professionals looking to upgrade their home courses should prepare specific project goals before navigating the exhibition floor.
Further reading
For more information on professional golf industry events, visit New Orleans Golf.
More information
To register for the event or view the program, visit the GCSAA Conference registration and information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gcmonline.
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