GIE+EXPO workshops and hardscape demos announced

Valuable opportunities abound at the 2015 GIE+EXPO (Green Industry & Equipment Expo) for lawn & landscape pros interested in improving profitability. The show is set for Oct. 22-23 in Louisville at the Kentucky Exposition Center, and registration is now open at www.gie-expo.com.

For contractors looking to diversify, sessions not only cover professional knowledge, but also opportunities for diversification. Hardscape North America’s co-location with GIE+EXPO provides the opportunity to learn about expanding into the hardscape market. In addition to two sessions on snow & ice management, the workshops will cover a variety of valuable management topics specifically for landscape contractors’ businesses.

 

2015 GIE+EXPO Workshops

Thursday, October 22

 

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.Breakfast sandwich & coffee provided

Paver Installation Essentials

Pat McCrindle, Regional Sales Manager, GST International, Inc.

Considering adding paver installation to your contracting business? This crash course provides a high-level overview of what it takes to install interlocking concrete paving systems according to industry-established guidelines. Participants will leave with a basic understanding of the construction methods, tools and technology required for a successful concrete paver installation business.

 

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Manage, Motivate & Prepare Your Hardscape Team to Crush the Competition

Jerry Gaeta, Green Industry Business Advisor and Coach

In today’s price-driven marketplace, hardscape contractors may find themselves deep in cut-throat competition. The performance and efficiency of your crew is an advantage for securing contracts and profit. Are you preparing them for smooth and profitable projects? Do your design, sales and field crews work together as a team? Are you helping your crew succeed or setting them up for failure? Learn answers that could be critical for the future of your company.

 

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 1: Lean Landscaping:  How to Turn Wasted Hours into Super Profits

Mark Bradley, Landscape Management Network

Mark Bradley’s company, TBG Landscape, has been on the landscaping top-100 lists for several years, but it’s not the company’s size that’s so remarkable. Mark and his lean staff generate double – even triple – the revenue per person as some of their peers on the list. Learn how they estimate, plan and execute jobs and organize equipment using a landscape production system that turns unproductive hours into industry-leading profits.

 

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 2: Maximizing Your Use of New Media to Attract Clients and Network, A Hands-On Session

Jason Cupp, Kincaide, Ltd

Social media guru Jason Cupp will focus on using social networks, including Facebook and LinkedIn, to find and build relationships. In this hands-on, interactive session he will teach tricks and tips to find your next client and build that all-important online rapport. He will also discuss content marketing and explain why it is the most important thing you should be doing in your business today.

 

Friday, October 23

 

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.Breakfast sandwich & coffee provided

NALP Workshop 3: Sustainable Winter Management

Phill Sexton, SIMA

Application of salt in winter maintenance has become an environmental concern in the northern states. Chloride concentration is federally regulated by EPA and causes environmental and infrastructure impacts.  Because cleanup is not practical the only solution is to limit its application. Phil Sexton will discuss the impacts of chloride contamination resulting from road salt, how application rates connect to weather and road surface temperatures and how to reduce the application without impacting level of service.

 

8:00 – 9:30 a.m.Breakfast sandwich & coffee provided

NALP Workshop 4: How Can You Do it?

Richard Arlington, Rich Arlington & Associates, National Association of Landscape Professional Consultant

Join Rich Arlington as he engages you to look within yourself on a personal and professional level to realize what is holding you back. He will show you ways to achieve multiple levels of success and how to establish a team to help you reach your goals. His recent book, “Why Not You?” motivates others to accept change and realize their full potential.

 

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

NALP Workshop 5: Estimating and Selling Snow

Mike Mason, CSP, The LawnPro

Mike Mason will share diverse points and techniques for growing sales and managing expectations. Using real-life examples – from “extreme” snow situations to winter “no shows” – he will generate discussion and interactivity among attendees as they share sales practices and techniques.

 

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

NALP Workshop 6: Customers Count! Simple Proven Ways to Build Enduring and Profitable Customer Relationships

Ed Laflamme, LIC and Bill Arman, The Harvest Group

You can’t make money with customers you don’t have! So how do you keep them loyal? Two industry veterans, Ed Laflamme and Bill Arman, will answer that question in a fast-paced, fun seminar.  You’ll learn 10 techniques to help understand your customers better;  review the Harvest “Action Checklist” – chock full of items to make customers love you; and hear ideas to help raise the bar on customer service in your organization.

 

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 7: The Most Overlooked Key to 7-Figure Business Success

Bill Silverman, Springboard Business Coaching

Does your 7-figure business have untapped potential you can’t seem to harness?  You’re probably overlooking one critical success key – alignment. Misalignments throughout your business can limit your sales and profit and add hours and stress to your week.  In this session, you’ll learn the three actions you must take to find and fix alignment problems for more fun and profit!

 

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

NALP Workshop 8: Using Job Descriptions to Build a High-Performance Team that Requires Minimal Supervision

James Huston, J.R. Huston Consulting, Inc., National Association of Landscape Professionals Consultant

Using examples from his book, “Job Descriptions for Green Industry Professionals,” which contains over 95 job descriptions specifically written for the green industry, James Huston will explain how to write effective job descriptions and how to use them to build a high-performance team that requires minimal supervision.

 

Registration Details

Registration in advance is required; each of the GIE+EXPO Workshops is $50.  Those who register for one of the Hardscape Workshops listed above will also be admitted free to the technique demos in the HNA Outdoor Arena tent. See below. Those who only want to attend the HNA Demonstrations and tradeshow can upgrade their registration for $25 to include all the following demos. Register for all sessions online at www.gie-expo.com.

 

 

Hardscape Demonstrations

(Held in the tented Hardscape North America Outdoor Arena

in the Outdoor Demonstration Area.)

 

Thursday, October 22

 

11 a.m. to Noon

Paver Installation Basics

Pat McCrindle, Regional Sales Manager, GST International, Inc.

This demonstration details each phase of a typical paver installation including soil removal, base preparation, screeding, laying, cutting, tamping and clean up. Get tips from the pros on equipment recommendations, material quantities, production techniques, crew management and overall jobsite practices.

 

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Segmental Retaining Walls for Raised Patio Construction

Tim Huinker, Construction Specialist, Anchor Wall Systems

Segmental retaining walls are a key material used in hardscaping projects. This demonstration features the proper techniques for installing SRW systems and specific recommendations when included in raised patio construction. Considerations for pre-existing conditions, drainage and geosynthetics are also covered.

 

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tools for Paver Installation Efficiency

Bill Gardocki, Owner, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

Tom Gardocki, Hardscape Operations Foreman, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

The success of any paving project depends not only on the people working on it but also the tools and equipment used. Both ‘man and machine’ must be appropriate for the job at hand if you are to expect positive results. Learn from contractors who have years of experience using unique hardscaping tools to increase efficiency, productivity and profitability.

 

Friday, October 23

 

11 a.m. to Noon

Fire Pit and Outdoor Fireplace Construction, Safety, and Design

Carl Peterson, CEO, Outdoor Entertainment Concepts, LLC

Get a closer look at outdoor fire pit and fireplace design and construction. Walk away from this demonstration with knowledge of the diversity of materials used to build outdoor fire features as well as the cost effectiveness of each. Industry safety standards for installation and basic design and placement tips for fire features are also covered.

 

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement Construction

Frank Gandora, President, Creative Hardscape Company

Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) continues to be in high demand as a means to meet regulations to reduce stormwater runoff. Attend this demonstration to see the correct materials and techniques for the installation of permeable interlocking concrete pavement and learn the differences between PICP and typical interlocking concrete pavement.

 

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Dress-up your Hardscape Projects and Boost Your Profits

Pat McCrindle, Regional Sales Manager, GST International, Inc.

Jeff Hesser, Mid Atlantic Regional Sales Manager, Cast Lighting LLC

A basic paver installation job is lucrative, but the real profits from hardscape construction come from upselling designs that include unique features and elements that are relatively inexpensive to include in a project, if planned in advance. Attend this demonstration to pick up some tips on designing, installing and selling hardscape features including, LED lighting, sound systems, kitchens, seating areas, fire features and water features.

 

Each HNA demonstration is eligible for one ICPI Certified Installer Continuing Education (CE) Credit. Make sure to pick up a CE tracking form at the HNA registration desk.

 

For more Information

GIE+EXPO’s 2015 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 21, Dealer Day; Oct. 22-23 for all industry participants. The annual event is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).  HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

 

An early-bird registration discount is available through Sept. 10.  For information and online registration for the tradeshow and education program: www.gie-expo.com. Other contact points: Facebook, info@GIE-EXPO.com, Twitter @GIE_EXPO and 800-558-8767/812-949-9200.