From October 27 through 29 in Louisville, Ky., the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) will bring together professionals from throughout the Green Industry to view the latest outdoor power equipment, along with products for landscapes, gardens, outdoor leisure, light construction, and more.

Show Preview: GIE+EXPO, GIC and HNA

From October 27 through 29 in Louisville, Ky., the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) will bring together professionals from throughout the Green Industry to view the latest outdoor power equipment, along with products for landscapes, gardens, outdoor leisure, light construction, and more. For more information about GIE+EXPO, visit www.gie-expo.com.


As in 2010, the Hardscape North America expo (HNA) will again co-locate with GIE+EXPO in 2011 — further expanding the offerings and information available (for more information on the HNA portion of the show, see page XX).


In addition, The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) will host its Green Industry Conference (GIC) in conjunction with GIE+EXPO. According to GIC Subcommittee Chairperson Philip Fogarty of Weed Man USA, GIC — which will be held Oct. 26-29 — will provide the latest information on market trends, product and service innovations, and practical hands-on education that you can use to adapt your business to the new market.


“As we prepare to deliver PLANET’s 2011 Green Industry Conference, we do so mindful that many of you continue to struggle in this challenging economy,” Fogarty stated. “Whether your business is large or small, you face pressure on margins, the need to minimize costs, increasing competition and demands from your clients.”


According to Fogarty, companies can either hunker down and hope to survive or change business models to adapt to new market conditions. “At PLANET, we think the choice is clear. It’s time to grow,” he stated. “The fact is…you can succeed in today’s economy…but not by doing the same things you’ve always done, the same way you’ve always done them. We’ll show you how to change, we will show you how to evolve, we will show you how to grow.”


GIC 2011 has a lot to offer, including workshops, educational sessions, forums, round-table discussions, demonstrations, and more. The following is an overview of the educational opportunities at GIC 2011. For additional information, visit www.landcarenetwork.org/events/GreenIndConf


 


Wednesday, Oct. 26, Louisville Marriott Downtown


Workshops


9 a.m. – 1 p.m.


Vegetative Green Roofs – How to Capture this Hot Opportunity (ticketed)


C. Merrill Moter III, Joseph & Joseph Architects Attendance is limited!


 


1 – 4 p.m.


Your Biggest Asset: Your People and How to Create Maximum Efficiency with your Existing Team (ticketed)


Jason Cupp, Kincaide, LTD.


 


1 – 5 p.m.
Safety Training That Works!


Rod Wolford & Beth Larson, FOF Communications


[Note: GIC is approved for PLANET Landscape Industry Certified recertification at 1 CEU per hour of instruction attended. PGMS and HNA educational sessions also qualify toward PLANET recertification.]


 


 


Thursday, Oct. 27, Kentucky Expo Center


 


10:00 – 11:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions


 


How to Use the iPad to Sell Clients on New Projects


Timothy P. Johnson, Penn State University


 


Creating Sustainable Landscapes with Efficient, Water Conserving Irrigation Systems and How They Can Make You Profitable!


Lynda Wightman, Hunter Industries, Inc.


 


How to Use Business in a Box to Reduce Costs


Bruce Wilson and Tom Oyler, Wilson Oyler Group


 


The Art Science of Lawn Care Marketing


Panel Discussion


Creating a Customer-Focused Culture


Phil Harwood, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Pro-Motion Consulting, LLC


 


The Seven Habits of Highly Successful CEOs


Jeffrey Scott, Landscape Success Systems


 


The Advantage of Great Systems


Mike Rorie, GIS Dynamics


 


Don’t Ask for Referrals!


Clifton Pieters


 


Leadership: Advancing to the Next Level (Liderazgo: Avanzando Hacia el Próximo Nivel)


Session will be presented in Spanish


 


1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions


 


More Than Just Another Pretty Plant!


Katharine Rudnyk, Monrovia


 


How to Use Business in a Box Tools to Attract, Retain, and Develop Supervisory Employees


Bruce Wilson and Tom Oyler, Wilson Oyler Group


 


Lawn Care Pricing Strategies


 


Tree Removal Tips and Techniques That Save Time and Make Money


Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co.


 


Creating a Sales Machine: How to Grow Your Business


Kevin Kehoe, Three Points Group


 


Qualify, Close, and Present


Patrick McManamon, Sandler Training


 


Seven Steps to Grow Green (Planet & Profit) Market Share


Sylvia Wright, The Wright Scoop


 


Foundations in Human Resources (Fundamentos de Recursos Humanos)


Session will be presented in Spanish


 


3 – 4:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions


 


Advantages of Design Technology for the Design/Build Firms Implementing Sustainable Landscapes


Eric Gilbey, Vectorworks, Inc.


 


How to Use Business in a Box to Grow and Market Your Business


Bruce Wilson and Tom Oyler, Wilson/Oyler Group


 


Post 2008-2011 Economy – What Can You Expect for 2012? Planning Essentials


Kevin Kehoe, Three Points Group


 


What It Takes to Become a Certified Manager


Phil Allen, Ph.D., Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Brigham Young University


 


Stop Thinking Like a Landscaper!


Jim McCutcheon, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, HighGrove Partners, LLC


 


Why Sales Efforts Fail and What You Can Do About It!


Patrick McManamon, Sandler Training


 


How Much Will Health Care Reform Cost Your Organization?


Kevin Bang, USI Insurance


 


 


Friday, Oct. 28, Kentucky Expo Center


 


10 – 11 a.m. Concurrent Sessions


 


Compliance, Safety, and Accountability – What Is CSA?


Jim Martin and Gary Clevenger, CNA


 


Marketing Your Contracting Business on the Internet


Jeff Carowitz, Strategic Force, Inc.


 


The Account Manager Guide: How to Attract, Get on Board, Keep, and Grow the Best Account Managers


Bill Arman, The Harvest Group


 


Marketing to the Affluent – How to Find, Sell, and Keep the Wealthy Client


Jeffrey Scott, Landscape Success Systems


 


Getting to “We”


Bernie Ervin, Ohio State University


 


Real World Applications of Sustainability


Paul Fields, Lambert Landscape Co.; Jud Griggs, Certified Landscape Manager, Lambert Landscape Co.; Lara Moffat, Lambert Landscape Co.


 


To Sell or Not to Sell? That Is the Question


David Minor, The Landscape Partners


 


Transitioning an Install Company to Maintenance and Vice Versa


Monroe Porter, PROOF Management Consultants


 


1:30 -2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions


 


How to Win Jobs and Close Deals


Monroe Porter, PROOF Management Consultants


 


10 “Best” Practices That All Smaller Growing Companies Need to Know and Practice


Bill Arman, The Harvest Group


 


Have Fun Delivering Great Service


Bob Coulter, JP Horizons


 


Are We Sleepwalking Through Life? Jokes and Stories to Caffeinate Your Afternoon!


Param Srikantia, Ph.D., Baldwin-Wallace College


 


Sustainable Landscaping Toolbox
Bob Grover, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Pacific Landscape Management


 


Building an Effective Organizational Culture


Bernie Erwin, Ohio State University


 


Success in Business


David Minor, The Landscape Partners


 


Safety Discussion Panel


Rick Cuddihe, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Lafayette Property Maintenance and Consulting Co.; Jim Martin, CNA; Chuck Stribling, Kentucky OSHA; Matt Bland, Bland Landscaping; Jay Murray, LandscapeSafety.com


 


Foundations in Budgeting (Fundamentos de Presupuesto)


Session will be presented in Spanish


 


3-4:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions


 


Becoming an Exceptional Performance Coach


Bob Coulter, JP Horizons


 


Management Toolbox!


Bill Vogel, Spring Valley


 


Expanding Your Business


LED Landscape Lighting Join the Revolution


Jeff Dross, Kichler Lighting


 


How to Survive, Prosper, and Grow Profits in the Landscape Business


Monroe Porter, PROOF Management Consultants


 


Sustainable Landscape Management


Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Iowa State University


 


Why Life Sucks: Ten Pathways to Greatness in a Troubled World


Param Srikantia, Ph.D., Baldwin-Wallace College


 


Why Become a Great Employer?


Mike Rorie, GIS Dynamics


 


Sustainable Landscape Management


Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Iowa State University


 


Keys to Successful Advocacy (Cómo Promulgar Sus Intereses con Éxito)


Session will be presented in Spanish


 


 


Saturday, Oct. 29, Kentucky Expo Center


 


Clinic


Build a Bid


Phil Harwood, CSP, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Pro-Motion Consulting, LLC; Rich Arlington, CSP, Richard Arlington and Associates


 


9:30 – 11:30 a.m.


Do What, When? The Ultimate Business Management Calendar for Landscape Contractors


Presenter: Mark Bradley, TBG Landscape, Landscape Management Network


9:30 – 11:30 a.m.


Virtual Facility Tour


Virtually tour Jacobsen Landscape Design & Construction, Inc., and Chapel Valley Landscape Co., via video and on-site presenters. These virtual tours will showcase what makes these companies stand out as examples of excellence in the green industry. Learn the secrets behind their operations, personnel, and business strategy at this year’s GIC.