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On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the North Carolina Branch of PGMS hosted the first "Southern Snow Summit" on the campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The idea for such a gathering was actually initiated last winter, as snow moved through the southern tier of the U.S. into places unfamiliar with the troublesome white stuff. Here in the south, many are unequipped and ill-prepared for dealing with the treacherous conditions that ensue, so it was determined that we might gather experts in the field from throughout the country to educate and enlighten. A full day of speakers and exhibitors kept the full house busy all day long. Nicholas Petro, warning coordination meteorologist from NOAA, started things off with a presentation designed to help each attendee look at a forecast map and make sense of it. The presentation included historical data with examples of the many snow storms that affected the south in 2010 and early 2011. Next up was John Doiron from Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire with a talk about storm preparation, specifically as it relates to putting together a plan. Because the average snowfall in Concord is around 100" per year, John has had vast experience with planning and implementation. Points of emphasis were the need to evaluate and tweak existing plans, and no one plan is workable in every situation. Wayne Volz from Profits Unlimited (sponsored by SnowEx) presented a talk on "De-Icers vs. Anti-Icers." With his genial, folksy presentation style, he kept the attendees rapt with what might have been perceived as a dry topic. He began his talk with what was now becoming a recurring theme; the need to have a plan in place prior to any snowstorm. After a leisurely lunch, there was plenty of time to network and meet with the participating vendors. Following the break, Dave Hessong, president of EDC Professionals (sponsored by SIMA), spoke to the group with a talk titled "Logistics and Managing Equipment." Dave began his talk with some his snow/ice removal at both the Salt Lake City and Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Once again, planning for inclement weather was first and foremost among strategies. Finally, a panel discussion including Joe Jackson, CGM, director of Grounds, Sanitation and Recycling at Duke University, Jim Bryan, grounds superintendent at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., and John Doiron completed the day. They provided strategies employed during past storms that could be useful tools in addressing future issues. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, as each had diverse sets of expectations, types of precipitation, amounts, equipment, available personnel and administrative directives. At the end of the day, it was clear that much was learned, yet the surface of this topic had barely been broached. There is already talk of having another "Southern Snow Summit" sometime in the autumn of 2012.
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