2001 School of Management Features Pre-conference Multi-cultural Workforce Workshop

The “Managing a Multi-cultural Workforce” pre-conference workshop will be held Sat., Feb. 10, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the scenic Catamaran Resort in San Diego, Calif. This location also is the spot for the remainder of the conference that offers more than 20 educational sessions on a variety of business management topics ranging from how to take advantage of the Internet to learning the proper steps in recruiting the right employees.

The schedule for the pre-conference workshop is as follows:

9 to 10:20 a.m. - Working With The INS
Understanding the legal ramifications of employing migrant workers is important because if done improperly, it can have serious financial and legal implications for you and your company. In this informative session, you will hear directly from the source - the Immigration and Naturalization Service - on what steps you need to follow when employing seasonal workers and how to keep your operation up to speed from a legal perspective.
Speaker: United States Immigration & Naturalization Service

10:20 to 10:40 a.m. - Refreshment Break
Displays Open

10:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - The Ins and Outs Of H2B
The topic of how to effectively manage a multi-cultural workforce is one that grows in importance and in difficulty with each passing day. Green industry professionals are expending considerable time and resources to identify solutions to make managing a multi-cultural workforce easier and more effective. One of the major issues involved is implementing an H2B program to secure qualified workers. In this session, hear leading experts in the field discuss the ins and outs of a H2B program and how to make it work for you. If you want to know how H2B can benefit your company, you want to make sure to attend this session.
Moderator: Bob West, Lawn & Landscape magazine
Panelists: Representatives from GTO International, Marcus Drake Consultants and SILC.

12:15 to 1:30 p.m. - Lunch
Displays Open

1:30 to 3 p.m. - Understanding Cross Cultural Issues
Understanding the cultural background of the Hispanic worker is a key element in establishing a positive, productive long-term relationship. Being able to identify their objectives and motivation based on their cultural background will allow you develop a plan for professional growth that will benefit you, your company and the employee. In this session hear first-hand from a contractor with years of experience working with Hispanic workers about how to handle important issues such as cultural assimilation, customer communication, compensation, motivation and career path issues. Speaker: Maria Threadgill, James River Grounds Management

Registration fees for the pre-conference are $95 per person and are not included as part of the full conference (NOTE: this fee includes the refreshment break, lunch and all conference materials.).

Sponsor partners for the Multi-Cultural Workshop include GTO International, Marcus Drake Consultants and SILC.

A full conference registration is $245 per person and a group registration rate (three or more people from the same company) is $195 (NOTE: These fees do not include the pre-conference workshop.). Your registration includes all educational sessions and conference materials, all continental breakfasts and refreshment breaks, lunches and receptions on Sunday and Monday.

The 2001 School of Management takes place February 10-13, 2001, at the Catamaran Resort in San Diego, Calif. A discounted room rate of $120 per night is available for conference attendees by calling 800/422-8386.

For more information or to register call 800/456-0707, or register online for the conference at www.lawnschool.com.