As turfgrass professionals head into 2026, the pace of change across research, production and performance standards continues to accelerate. That momentum was evident in early January at LSU’s Tiger Stadium during the Louisiana Turfgrass Association (LTA) Conference, where Sod Solutions Professionals Executive Director of Business & Professional Development Erin Wilder shared a forward-looking perspective on how the industry is evolving and how professionals can prepare.
1: Craig Potts discusses new turfgrass cultivars at the Sod Solutions booth during the 2026 LTA Tradeshow. 2: Roberto Gurgel and Erin Wilder at the 2026 LTA Tradeshow inside Tiger Stadium, featuring Celebration® Bermudagrass. 3: Gurgel and Wilder at the Sod Solutions booth at the 2026 LTA Conference.
Shifting the Game: What Professionals Need to Know
Wilder’s presentation, Shifting the Game: Trends and Innovation in Turfgrass, connected research with real-world application across golf, sports, sod production and commercial landscapes, underscoring the growing need for adaptability as expectations continue to rise.
Wilder highlighted the role Sod Solutions Professionals play across the turfgrass system, from sod farms to professional end users. She shared examples ranging from golf destinations like The Crossroads at Palmetto Bluff with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass to large-scale developments such as Bounty Club in Nashville and stadium projects including LSU Football with Celebration® Bermudagrass. Across each, success depended on coordination, from sourcing and soil profile planning to close collaboration with sod farms ahead of harvest.
She emphasized that rising expectations, increasing pressure across the industry and the evolution of warm-season turfgrasses are pushing professionals to deliver more with fewer resources, elevating the role of research, education and long-term planning. Once considered secondary, warm-season turfgrasses are now central to the industry, anchoring the Southeast and Sun Belt, expanding north and playing a critical role in sports performance and water-smart landscapes.
She also addressed how proven cultivars have built trust within the industry, while new genetics are responding to demands for traffic tolerance, safety, reduced inputs, improved cold tolerance and greater resilience under environmental pressure. She highlighted how varieties such as Celebration® Bermudagrass, NorthBridge® Bermudagrass, CitraZoy® Zoysiagrass and Cobalt® St. Augustinegrass are being evaluated through extensive research trials to match performance with real-world use cases.
Erin Wilder presents Shifting the Game: Trends and Innovation in Turfgrass at the 2026 LTA Conference.
Looking ahead, Wilder pointed to broader system-level trends shaping the future, including expanded zoysiagrass use in sports and golf, improved salt tolerance for reclaimed water, continued advancements in bermudagrass and operational shifts such as stadium shade solutions, autonomous mowers, data monitoring and grow lights. For professionals, this means ongoing evaluation, expanding technical knowledge and leaning into trusted networks.
Wilder also highlighted the role of the Sports Field Management Association, where she serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President–Commercial, supporting education and resource sharing for sports turf professionals. Events like the LTA Conference reflect that same focus, providing meaningful opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and peer-to-peer exchange as expectations across the turfgrass industry continue to rise.
Craig Potts, Sod Solutions Professionals Project Manager and former Turfgrass Operations Manager at Texas A&M Athletics for more than 27 years, and Roberto Gurgel, Sod Solutions® Director of Research, were also part of the Sod Solutions presence at the LTA Conference. At the Sod Solutions booth, they engaged with attendees on new turfgrass cultivars and performance-driven research. Participants also toured LSU athletic facilities, including Tiger Stadium and Alex Box Stadium, both which feature Celebration® Bermudagrass grown and supplied by Thomas Turfgrass.
Celebration® Bermudagrass at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium.
To explore turfgrass varieties, research and project support shaping the future of the industry, connect with Sod Solutions Professionals and see how our team can support your next project.
