What's keeping golf course owners and operators awake at night? Declining participation? Water availability? Succession planning? Those are among the issues that will be addressed at the NGCOA's 2009 Annual Conference, Feb. 3-7 in New Orleans.

"It's a challenging time for many owners and operators so we've designed the conference to help them unlock their creative spirits and find innovative ways to look at the issues that are keeping them up at night," said Anne Lyndrup, the NGCOA's director of conference and trade show.

Keynote speakers for the conference include Chic Thompson, author of "What a Great Idea!" and "Yes, But;" and Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of futurethink, an innovation research and training firm.

NGCOA members and non-members can register for the conference at www.ngcoa.org/conference. Winners of the associations' annual awards for course quality, management excellence and contributions to the association and the game of golf also will be recognized during the conference.

The NGCOA's Annual Conference will be held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, Feb. 5-7 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

Stephen M.R. Covey, author of "The Speed of Trust,"is the keynote speaker on the second day of the Golf Industry Show, when attendees are encouraged to attend educational sessions and visit exhibitors' booth as teams.