Fun in the Sun: The 2001 Green Industry Expo Wrap-Up

TAMPA, Fla. - The mild weather and palm trees weren't the only things drawing landscape contractors to Tampa, Fla. last week. The 12th annual Green Industry Expo, which took place from Nov. 10-13, drew thousands from across the country for its educational sessions, outdoor demo and trade show featuring more than 300 exhibitors.

Although final attendance numbers aren't available, early estimates are that the show, co-sponsored by Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA), Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) and Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS), drew more than 2,000 attendees. ALCA reported about 1,400 full registrants, PLCAA said it had around 530 and PGMS had slightly more than 200.

 "We were up about 10 percent from last year, which is good compared to most things these days," explained Debra Holder, ALCA executive vice president.

Some 325 exhibitors filled about 95,000 square feet of exhibit space, while about 100 exhibitors featured their products and services at the outdoor demo, which boasted record turnout this year.

Some of the challenges that the show faced this year were the split show floor and separated educational sessions, related Tom Delaney, PLCAA executive vice president. Some educational sessions took place in the Marriott hotel that was located across the street from the convention center and exhibitors were split between an upper and lower level in the convention center instead of having one large show floor.

"Overall it was a good show," Delaney said. "But, the show management was concerned about splitting the educational sessions between two locations and having two show floors. But, we're getting good feedback and we didn't hear any real complaints."

ALCA's educational sessions were held at the Marriott, but according to Holder, these sessions still had high attendance.

"Our sessions were rated very high among the attendees," she enthused. "In most cases we had to pull in extra chairs even though we had six sessions going on at once. In some cases, the sessions were standing-room only."

Both Holder and Delaney attribute the high turnout despite recent world events to the industry's enduring spirit.

"People were glad to be there," Holder exclaimed. "Eighty percent or more flew in and I think that was a statement of the contractor spirit. This industry is great."

Delaney agreed, saying businesses may have brought less people than they would have brought at this time last year, but that the turnout was still good because contractors realize that business must go on.

"Everyone still has to continue to train their people and move forward," he explained. "This is a competitive industry, so contractors still have to keep ahead of everyone else. If you slow down too much, your competitors are going to get the edge on you."

Next year the show will be held Nov. 14-17 in Nashville, Tenn., at the Opryland Hotel and will end on Saturday instead of Tuesday. The decision to switch to this format was two-pronged, Delaney explained.

"We had to change the dates because of the availability of the Opryland Hotel, but the GIE board also decided that the show could be compacted to end on Saturday," he advised. "We also thought it'd be best to get people back to work by Monday, which generally sets the trend for the rest of the week. Finishing on a Tuesday causes attendees to get back to work on Wednesday or Thursday and it's kind of a downer."

With the new format, attendees will still be able to meet friends, conduct business and keep up with the latest industry news, while missing a minimal amount of work, Delaney related.

For information on the GIE show, contact ALCA at 800/395-ALCA, PLCAA at 800/458-3466 or PGMS at 800/609-7467.