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Mid Am Conference |
| TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 |
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Pre-Conference Workshops
While we work on trees, we work on them through people, hence the tree care business is truly a people business as we cannot serve our patients, the trees, without the support of their owners, our customers. This workshop will cover how we need to care for trees through the perceptive of their owners. Not only do we need to have our care practices be “for the tree" not "to it," but we need to make money at it as well. This workshop will give you tips how.
Being able to break away from old, conventional patterns and tread new paths has never been more important than it is today. Against a backdrop of explosive economic, technological and societal change, value added is no longer a quality that's nice to have – it's a must have! Design isn't just a service anymore but an experience. To succeed in this environment, growers need to have a better understanding of designers and designers need to better understand growers and their products. More importantly, both need to understand what their customers want – and what to sell and how to sell it! Drawing on his diverse background and areas of expertise, moving easily from concept to example, from a descriptive voice to an experiential one, from the designer's viewpoint to the grower's standpoint, Kaizad will provide you the tools to accomplish these goals and help you make a little green in the green industry! Using his industry tested, seamless Triple A approach of Appreciation, Application and Action, this refreshingly practical session ensures that you get a comprehensive and complete array of key selling skills, techniques and strategies for growers, designers, consultants and owners. This workshop is a practical course and consists of individual, small group and whole group interaction and absorption. The environment is informal – and of course creative – so there are ample opportunities for discussion and questions to ensure that you have a profitable personal experience.
Forget theories, Doug Trenary has been teaching individuals and organizations proven techniques since 1985 that are taking their lives and businesses to the next level. He’ll do the same for you and equip you to immediately go back and apply what you’ve learned. What does it take to be the best in your business? What do the best green industry companies do daily to win business and take their results to exciting new levels? How and why do SalesMinds out-think, out-hustle and out-sell everybody else? The answer is how they leverage their attitudes, skills and time. You will learn how as you join us for an unforgettable day and take away real, proven and specific strategies to help you immediately:
Do you ever question your design skills? Are you ready for some in-depth, positive learning critiques from the pros to create designs that sell? Do you desire to compare your solution to other designers and discover the chosen solution? Join a cross-section of top notch landscape design instructors for this two-part workshop focused on taking your skills to the next level. Roll up your sleeves and spend the day developing design solutions that respond to essential issues such as a site’s context, a client’s priorities, and basic aesthetic principles. You will: The workshop will be divided into two sessions, each focused on a particular design style. After a brief discussion about the parameters of a real-world project site, you’ll dive hands-on into the creative process while design professionals provide you with one-on-one advice. Next, you will present your solution to the group for a constructive critique (a vital component of the learning experience and a great way to prepare for future presentations). At the end of each session, we’ll review the actual design that was installed on the site for a discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of professional design solutions.
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| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 |
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions Sales & Marketing Track A spectacular but unsold design is merely conceptual art. Discover sales solutions and explore styles that make you highly successful when presenting your vision. Overcome obstacles and develop a landscape vocabulary that plays to your strength at the kitchen table or in the conference room. Dominate your competitors with concepts and strategies that help you convey the desired message and…sell the damn design! Plants & Horticulture Track Are you tired of using the same old staples? Imagine Daylilies that aren’t yellow or grasses that aren’t Feather Reed! The Dynamic Duo of Lobello and Diblik will provide herbaceous alternatives to the most commonly overused plants in the landscape industry. Become familiar with plants that tolerate a host of problems such as poor drainage, shade, salt and foot traffic in addition to selections that will stand up to commercial neglect. Turf alternatives, groundcovers, bamboo and wildflowers will round out the session on the different, yet alluring, possibilities for the landscape. There will be time set aside at the end of the presentation for questions from the audience, so this is your chance to confer with the masters! Retail & Business Management Track Customers love pots! But, there are many different styles, colors, sizes, shapes and textures. Container dealers are plentiful – but finding the perfect match for your company is critical to your bottom line. Grower & Arborist Track In today’s economic climate, customers want their mature trees to remain healthy and appealing – without spending a fortune on maintenance. Irrigation Track Join your fellow contractors for a review of irrigation rules, regulations and processes specifically for operation in the State of Illinois. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibits Open 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m Breakout Sessions Sales & Marketing Track What is the eighth largest landscaping company in the United States? It is based in Illinois, has annual revenue over $100M and works all over the globe. It’s not who you think. Ambius is the biggest name in landscaping that you have possibly never heard of. Why aren't they a household name for most of us? Ambius works in a market once left for dead...interior landscaping. Learn how a landscaping company adapted, gambled, evolved and survived to become an industry leader. The lessons of Ambius can be applied to any interior or exterior company struggling to define its identity in a difficult market. Never let public opinion tell you you’re no longer relevant. We define our own destiny. Plants & Horticulture Track Expand your plant horizons, inform and enthuse your clients with powerful and vibrant options. The duo returns to discuss the most interesting trees, perennials, grasses, groundcovers and vines, along with companion plants, that will provide the most dramatic impact in the garden. Don’t miss the chance to learn how to infuse your landscape with bleeding-edge selections that display vitality and style. Set the bar with your design and distinguish your company’s garden expertise from the competition. Retail & Business Management Track Over the past decade, perennials have exploded in the nursery and landscape industry. Your regular customers are always looking for that great combination to blow away their neighbors. Others want you to tell them what goes with what. This session will provide you with ideas on how to maximize your small space in putting together winning combinations that inspire and sell. Grower & Arborist Track Successful pruning requires knowledge, experience and understanding of growth management. Understanding the biology of a tree helps minimize the injury to the tree when pruning. Irrigation Track Keeping that edge takes knowledge of the changes in irrigation design and installation. As a national award winner for his innovative approach to water conservation, Tim will provide ideas to consider when designing and installing both residential and commercial systems. 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions Sales & Marketing Track Downsizing, lay offs, unemployment...To say that “times have been tough" in the past few years is an understatement. However, not all companies have let these down times discourage them. Hear from a panel of experts that includes small residential landscapers, large commercial contractors and high-end design-build firms to learn how they've evolved and adapted their sales strategies to embrace a tough environment. Gone are the days of selling ice to Eskimos, but business is alive and well to those who are prepared to sell. Plants & Horticulture Track Join Sharon as she focuses on how to diagnose and manage environmental issues such as problematic soils, Irrigation Track overspray and other issues of note. Learn the importance of matching the plant’s cultural needs to the realities of the site. Develop a basic understanding of frequently encountered insects such as: ash borers; bag worms; mites and aphids. Learn to recognize the symptoms of viruses, fungal and bacterial diseases on ornamentals and possible treatment options. Lastly, learn where to go for answers if you need help. Retail & Business Management Track What constitutes a sustainable perennial for the sustainable urban landscape? Bill will take you on a visual tour of sustainable perennials in downtown St. Louis Citygarden. Opened in 2009, Citygarden emphasizes native plants, with a wide variety of sustainable perennials which not only survive, but thrive in a harsh, urban environment like downtown St. Louis. This presentation will explore selection criteria for identifying appropriate plants to serve your urban customers. Grower & Arborist Track EAB, viburnum leaf beetle and Japanese beetle are just a few of the serious threats to our trees and shrubs. In addition, all kinds of climate conditions contribute to diseases of these plants. Jim will explain how to identify these problems and provide a proper management program as well as other tips on maintaining trees and shrubs. Irrigation Track Contractors are constantly being besieged by changes to the Illinois Plumbing Code. Be on top of these changes, as Dean Goodenough provides a comprehensive update on the changes and possible upcoming changes in 2012. In addition to being certified in CIC, CID and CIA, Dean is also a licensed plumber. 2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions Sales & Marketing Track With five locations in the Chicagoland area, Sebert Landscape is the eighth largest landscape contractor in Illinois and 62nd largest in the U.S. This session provides an overview of how a large operation approaches and plans for the market regardless of how it is trending. What are their keys to growth? To profit? What direction will they take from this point forward? Do you effectively sell maintenance, design and construction with the same approach and the same staff? Representatives from Sebert will discuss these topics along with sales initiatives, their commitment to greener environments and how to be profitable with a broad spectrum of services. Plants & Horticulture Track Explore new trends and hidden gems from the woody plant palette of renowned plantsman Bill Hendricks. As top man of Klyn Nurseries, Bill oversees the production of more than 1600 species of plants, with the majority being propagated internally. Be ready for a profusion of useful information from a true plant guru. Also…Are you confused by all the varieties of Hydrangeas and Viburnums available in the marketplace today? Bill will demystify the plethora of choices as to the best selections for hardiness, type, size, color, cultural requirements and performance. Grower & Arborist Track The process of proper plant diagnosis is one of the keys to good horticulture. Jim will use case studies of environmental problems to discuss this process as you can improve your practical plant problem diagnostic skills. Irrigation Track Certified Irrigation Association Instructor Auditing systems can be tedious and time consuming. Learn how to put some fun and some profit into this important step in irrigation. |
| THURSDAY, January 19 |
7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Irrigation Track Session Basic Irrigation Principles and Design This is an excellent class for new irrigation employees, for companies adding irrigation, or for those who need a refresher. Landscape irrigation equipment will be reviewed – controllers, valves and the many types of sprinklers available. The principles of irrigation design will also be covered. Learn why hydraulics, pipe size, friction loss and precipitation rates are important to a properly working irrigation system. The correct selection of sprinkler heads and their placement, proper zoning and plan preparation will also be topics of discussion. BRING A CALCULATOR Craig Borland is a 30-year irrigation professional that has earned the Irrigation Association’s designations of CIC, CID, CLIA and CLWM, and EPA Water Sense partner. Craig is currently employed by an irrigation manufacturer, but is also a Certified Authorized Irrigation Association instructor. 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions Maintenance & Operations Track In every workplace there are challenging employees—individuals whose negative behaviors and/or attitudes impact over-all productivity, employee morale and management focus. And because these employees create potential conflict, many managers avoid dealing with the problem until it is too late. This presentation addresses what managers can do to proactively diffuse the conflict potential, address the behavior and attitude problems and turn an employee liability into an employee asset. This presentation will also discuss the importance of having policies, procedures and human resources strategies in place to support both the manager and the employee in the turnaround process. Sustainable Landscape Track Green roofs? Bioswales? Permeable pavers? Been there done that. This session will be on the cutting edge trends in sustainable landscaping. The session is divided into three trends that will soon be on your doorstep:
Retail & Business Management Track This panel will discuss and provide examples on tips to buying merchandise for your garden center when times are tough. How much inventory will you need? Can your merchandise vendor supply you quickly if needed? Grower & Arborist Track Bernie Jacobs of Jacobs Ryan will lead a panel discussion, continuing where the Illinois Green Industry Association Tree Specifications Committee left off: shrubs and ornamentals. The problem didn’t stop with tree planting depth. Are we now planting shrubs and ornamentals too deep in the nursery and landscape? 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibits Open 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions Maintenance & Operations Track It's coming. Hundreds of landscape companies are already involved in snow removal and many others companies are interested in joining them. Hear from some of the region’s most successful snow removal experts as they discuss important topics in snow removal and answer your questions about it. The panel will discuss materials, deicers, personnel, equipment, contracts, liability and “war room” preparedness during a blizzard. The snow is there for the taking, learn to react or watch your profits melt. Sustainable Landscape Track Remember that torrential rainstorm last year? No not that one, the other two dozen storms. Like it or not, stormwater is now the responsibility of the landscape professional. Municipalities across the Midwest are saddled with overtaxed stormwater systems. Learn specific landscape construction principles for dealing with stormwater management. This session will teach you to spec it, sell it and build it. Then watch the profit roll in like a summer storm. Retail & Business Management Track Most GC’s have a landscape component to their business. But do they get along? Can both complement each other? Can they feed off one another? How hard is it to start a small landscape operation? The McWilliams will share their experience and how to integrate both of these components successfully into your business. Grower & Arborist Track Marlene is back with her slides and PowerPoint of just about every perennial in the business! She will discuss plant characteristics, sun vs. shade, new vs. traditional, spring, summer and fall perennials and top performers. She may even introduce some new plants for 2012 and beyond! 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Maintenance & Operations Track Over 90% of our field personnel are Latino and 90% of those were born and raised in Latin America. There are many cultural differences and nuances inherent between the Latino and Anglo cultures. This is also true of many of our clients. We will cover those differences and explain the origin of them, noting the benefits that accrue when we understand and respect them.
To be truly sustainable in the landscape, we need to build sustainable, integrated systems, as nature does. How can we see each job as a whole system? How can we use science? How can we overcome economic and cultural barriers to fully engage homeowners, property managers and public decision-makers in a system-driven approach to sustainability? Barker will integrate principles of ecological restoration, rehabilitation and preservation in the urban landscape and will apply concepts of ecosystem services and ecological function in the context of case studies to show us how. Retail & Business Management Track Help with visual marketing from the experts. Learn how to create visuals that move the earth! Advertising photographer and video producer Matt Ferguson gives you tips on how to plant your marketing dollars to grow profits. It is all about visibility. The green industry is a challenge to illustrate. However, Matt will provide tips to owners of garden centers and other retail shops on how to prep for your photo and video shoot. Grower & Arborist Track Does a plant have to bloom to be loved? What if it sits on a shelf longer while others move? Expand your plant palette beyond the traditional flats of annuals and the same perennials with plants that will expand your design work and your sales yard. ILASLA Session This session will discuss business trends and practices, along with business strategies specific to landscape contractor issues as they apply to landscape architects. The discussion will be led by firm principals and managers. 2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. The Schmechtig team will share mistakes to avoid and tips to help your landscape company grow in areas such as operations, marketing and business management.The first step to reinventing your company is to examine its interconnected parts to determine what’s working. This session will allow attendees to learn how a company can grow from a small operation to a larger, more specialized one. Meet Michael Schmechtig and his management team as they share the story of Schmechtig Landscapes through the years. Schmechtig Landscapes is one of Northern Illinois’ leading residential landscape management firms. Sustainable Landscape Track Sustainable landscaping is not just a Midwest phenomenon. It is occurring all across the country. It rides on the back of national standards such as LEED and SITES and local efforts and ordinances. Yet, each part of the country has different needs, resources, climates and challenges. For example, storm water in some parts is a nuisance where in others, a rare commodity. This groundbreaking panel will look at the regional Venn diagram of sustainable landscaping. Learn from experts representing all regions of the country how sustainable landscaping is shaping national attitudes and practices. Grower & Arborist Track 2011 was one tough year for trees. First, too much rain…then, not enough rain…then, record high temperatures…then, multiple severe storms. Combine all these challenges with a rough economy. These distinguished panel members will share their thoughts and experiences on how to get through a year like the last one. |
| FRIDAY, January 20 |
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Exhibits Open |
| LATINO TRACK |
Thursday, January 19, 2012 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. La Via Hispana 10:15 – 11:45 11:45 – 13:00 Almuerzo 13:00 – 14:30
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