Show management has released the educational schedule for the GIE+EXPO workshops.
Contractors who are looking to diversify will find two workshops on estimating tips and best practices in the hardscape market, as well as an irrigation symposium where a panel of leaders from all facets of the irrigation industry will discuss key issues, such as labor and environmental sustainability.
The schedule is below:
Wednesday, Oct. 21
12 to 1:30 p.m. - Irrigation Symposium: Panel Discussion, Moderator: Chris Pine, CLWM, CID, CIC, CLIA, CIT, BluGreen Solutions, President & IrriTech Training, Principal
3 to 4:15 p.m. - The Ins & Outs of Websites, Chris Darnell, The Harvest Group
4:30 to 5:45 p.m. - Creating a Modern Workforce: A 21st Century Approach to Management, Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM, GrowTheBench.com
Thursday, Oct. 22
8 to 9:15 a.m. - Michigan State University's Landscape Services Technology Journey to Higher Performance, Adam Lawver, Director of Campus Services, Michigan State University
8 to 9:15 a.m. - Secrets Every Contractor Ought to Know About the Hardscape Business, Frank Gandora
9:30 to 10:45 a.m. - Estimating Hardscape Projects with Confidence, Jerry Gaeta
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Human Resources Compliance Best Practices, Steven Cesare, Ph.D., The Harvest Group
1 to 2:15 p.m. - How Your Landscaping Company Can Optimize Google My Business to Generate a Constant Flow of Leads, Christopher Yates, Success Landscape Marketing
2:30 to 3:45 p.m. - Creating a Five-Star Brand, Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Scott Consulting, Inc.
Friday, Oct. 23
8 to 9:15 a.m. - Drones in the Green Industry, Jeremiah Saier, GIS Analyst, Michigan State University
8 to 9:15 a.m. - Online Reviews: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Chad Diller, Landscape Leadership
9:30 to 10:45 AM p.m. - Benchmarks & Critical Numbers for the Landscape Industry, James Huston, J.R. Huston Consulting
Also, as part of GIE+EXPO, the National Association of Landscape Professionals will host a technology summit on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The summit will include:
“Robotics and Technology in Landscape Design and Maintenance”
Olle Markusson, Global Director Product Management, Robotics - Husqvarna
Co-presenter: Pam Dooley, Plants Creative Landscape
“Who What Where - What Apps are Best for Tracking Labor, Schedules and Project Management?”
Nanette Seven, Include Software
Co-Presenters: Shawn Ryan, Environmental Designs; Todd Coleman, Bonick Landscaping; Mike Mendez, Mariani Landscape
“Disruptive Innovation and Must-Have Technology for the Green Industry”
Beth Berry, Real Green Systems
Co-Presenter: Kendall Hines, LawnBot
Featured speakers include Plants Creative owner Pam Dooley, who also spoke at Lawn & Landscape’s Technology Conference in February and was the cover story in the September issue last year.
Dooley will share how her team is working toward using technology to advance the transparency and efficiency of her business. "Our responsibility as business owners is to provide maximum value so customers want to purchase from us and employees want to work for us. Technology allows companies the opportunity to align their people and processes, which creates profits," she says.
Beth Berry of Real Green Systems, who will also speak, stresses the importance of technology as we head into a post-COVID-19 world.
"There has never been a more important time for business owners to leverage the power of technology to safely mobilize service delivery teams and provide best in class communication and technology,” she says. “Whether a company is heavily invested in technology or simply exploring opportunities to digitally transform, attendees will leave this event with a tactical road map for technology success."
Registration is open for the annual trade show, which is set for Oct. 21-23 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Following the summit, landscape professionals are invited to the free opening keynote featuring U.S. Navy 4-Star Admiral James Stavridis at 2 p.m. before the show floor opens at 3 p.m.
For more information and online registration for the trade show and education program: www.gie-expo.com.