Pondemonium 2005, a popular business and professional development event in the water garden industry, is scheduled for July 11 through the 18th in St. Charles, Ill. Sponsored by Aquascape Designs, the week-long event includes a variety of strategic components designed to help professional pond contractors and water garden retailers develop and grow their businesses.
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The flagship component is Aquascape’s Pond College held July 14 through 16. Pond College, presented annually by the Aquascape, is expanded this year from two to three days of intensive professional seminars on a wide range of topics of interest to water garden designers, contractors and retailers. Seminar leaders include many of Aquascape’s own high-level professionals, as well as leading experts and consultants in water gardening, business and marketing from across the country.
In addition, Pond College features a mini-trade show exhibiting products of interest to water garden professionals including a first look at the latest Aquascape products.
Pondemonium week also includes two intensive pond business-building “boot camps” on subjects such as marketing and financial management and two build-a-pond days (July 11 and 12) where pond builders of various levels of expertise can learn or improve their skills under the tutelage of Aquascape pros. Wednesday, July 13, entrants can show off their pond building skills at the second annual Waterfall Building Contest, which pits teams of professionals against one another in a race to design and build a pondless waterfall in a matter of hours. The week also includes many social occasions, including a golf outing, barbecue, an appreciation dinner and a special pond professionals’ tour of Chicago-area water gardens.
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“If you want to make money in the pond business, then cancel any other plans and be there. It’s that simple,” said Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape Designs. “The great thing about Pondemonium is all the people it brings together. You’ve got guys just starting out who meet and learn from our top customers. You’ve got successful contractors and retailers meeting and learning from one another and the seminar leaders and speakers. It’s awesome!”
Professionals who would like to attend the Pond College and other Pondemonium events can choose to pay per event or can purchase packages that offer significant discounts. Tickets and packages purchased before June 11 qualify for additional discounts. Early application prices per person range from $149 for one day of Pond College to $639 for a full package that includes all three days of Pond College, entertainment events, Advanced Build-a-Pond Day, the trade show and appreciation dinner. Other packages are available. Some meals are provided, depending upon the event. Lodging and transportation are not included. For more details or to register, visit www.aquascapedesigns.com or call 866/877-6637.