CalScape Expo Educational Sessions Feature Sales, Management and Design

The Plantscape Industry Alliance will present an exciting series of educational sessions this Sept. 17 to 19 during the association's national tradeshow and convention, CalScape Expo, to be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center and Wyndham Palm Springs, Palm Springs, Calif.

The convention begins with special sessions on Wednesday: "Powering up Your Sales Presentations with Digital Imaging," beginning and advanced sessions of hands-on training led by Dr. Joe Cialone, and a special limited enrollment coaching session, "Telling Your Story: How to Sell Your Ideas, Vision and Products – Painlessly" with keynote speaker Barry Maher. Also on Wednesday, Kathy Fediw, CLP, CLT, will teach a AIA-BOMI-USGBC CEU Training Session on behalf of Green Plants for Green Buildings, and PLANET Certification Tests will be held.

"Filling the Glass – Real World Tactics for Increasing Productivity and Job Satisfaction" is Thursday's keynote topic presented by Barry Maher, of Barry Maher & Assoc.

Also to be held on Thursday are "Today's Topics," a round table networking lunch organized by Dick Ott of the National Interiorscape Network; Barry Maher returns with "Effective Communication for Leadership and Professional Success," and Kasey Keller, Ewing Irrigation, leads "Niche Market – Using Low Voltage Lighting to Improve Your Client's Environment and Your Bottom Line." 
 
On Friday, how to turn creative thinking into tangible results will be the subject of '"Design for the 21st Century" with Michael Kollins, Otis College of Art and Design. Experienced interiorscape and garden designer, Davis Dalbok owner of Living Green, will inspire attendees with his exciting and diverse containerscapes in "Container Gardening with One Foot in the Tropics." Marketing expert MJ Gilhooley, Gilhooley Consulting, with present a dozen low-cost ways to promote your company and gain economic security in "Building Brand and Building Your Bottom Line: Low Cost and Lasting Brand Equity." Well-known columnist and training consultant Linnaea Newman will share her expertise in Friday's closing keynote "Communicating with Diverse Personalities."

Premiere Trade Show and Networking Opportunities Brings National Interiorscape Community to CalScape

CalScape Expo 2008 will feature a unique Exhibitor Showcase with 102 booths filled with new products and a fabulous display of foliage, containers and specialty items used by plantscape professionals. A dozen exhibitors new to CalScape Expo make their debut this year. The trade show, held Sept. 18 and 19, is the place to discover new products and suppliers and network with vendors and plantscapers.

A golf outing is planned for the morning of Sept. 16.

CalScape socializing kicks off in a grand way with the popular Welcome Party on Wednesday evening and continues Thursday with the Round Table Lunch, Color Bowl Contest, and the reception and Silent Auction preceding the Interior Plantscape Hall of Fame and PIA Interior Plantscape Awards banquet. PIA invites all interested parties to attend the banquet in honor of this year's Hall of Fame inductees. The Interiorscape Professional is Victoria Cate of Evergreen Interiors and Plant Paws; the Allied Trade Professional is Donald Wilson of Plant Care Co. and Inscape Supply; and the Posthumous inductee is Walter Campbell, formerly of Grundy's Interior Landscaping. Banquet attendees will also celebrate with winners of the Interior Plantscape Awards.

A new networking opportunity, Friday's Exhibitor Speed Dating Lunch, will put attendees in touch with more valuable information and useful contacts. The final organized social event of the convention will be Dinner at Tony's with the Rat Pack.

PIA will be raising funds for its year-round educational programs through the Silent Auction, Color Bowl Gallery, Décor Sales and by hosting a massage relaxation stop in the trade show.

Information on this year's educational programs, a list of current exhibitors and conference registration are available on PIA's website www.piagrows, or contact the PIA office at 707-462-2276.

CalScape Expo Schedule at a Glance

Sept. 16  
Golf Outing

Sept. 17  
Special Sessions
Training for AIA/BOMI/USGBC CEU
PLANET Certification testing
Welcome Party

Sept. 18  
Keynote Address & full day of seminars
Trade Show open
Interiorscape Hall of Fame & Awards Banquet

Sept. 19  
Full day of seminars
Trade Show open
Dinner at Tony's with the Rat Pack