The Green Industry Conference (GIC), held in conjunction with GIE+EXPO, is the annual meeting of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national trade association representing landscape and lawn care industry companies. Many members of PLANET attend this signature conference every year because it offers a combination of educational, networking and trade show opportunities on a national scale that they can only get at this event.
Being part of a national trade association offers members access to top industry experts who impart knowledge on sales and marketing, recruiting and retaining employees, growth strategies, effective management strategies and more. GIC offers access to the largest number of education and networking events of the year. However, association members also have access to education on demand, year-round through the more than 40 webinars that PLANET produces each year on a variety of business and technical topics plus executive-level and specialty track conferences.
We encourage you to join this national group of industry leaders and sign your company up in time to get your membership off to a strong start at GIC and GIE+EXPO. PLANET is offering readers 20 percent off, if they join by Sept. 30. Visit the membership section of PLANET’s website to join and use the voucher code 14PLANET20. This offer is valid for new contractor members only and cannot be combined with any other offers.
Whether you are a new member or a first-time attendee of GIC, you can make the most of the conference by attending PLANET’s Newcomers Rally, which will give you an introduction to all the conference and the association has to offer members including the top industry mentoring program called Trailblazers, top business opportunities like PLANET peer groups, safety recognition and education with the STARS program, business and specialty education, recognition through the National Landscape Awards of Excellence and PLANET’s leadership awards, and certification through Landscape Industry Certified. You can get certified at GIC by registering in advance for select exams. Testing is held Oct. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Louisville Marriott Downtown.
Make time to stop by PLANET’s booth # 7114 on the trade show floor, and the Learning Lounge in room #B103, where you can take advantage of short, 20-minute talks from industry experts, a Genius Bar where you can get burning business questions answered by industry experts, a marketplace where you can buy industry publications, and an opportunity to network with other members of the industry and get your questions answered by PLANET staff.
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from CEOs and managers as well as top industry consultants at events like the sell-out Breakfast With Champions and other parties and networking events at GIC. The fact that you can learn from industry leaders who are in noncompetitive markets is especially valuable and our members are known for freely sharing business strategies with others. Many members cite their experience at GIC as vital to their company.
Andy Doesburg, Landscape Industry Certified, from Thornton Landscape says, "I can say categorically… that nearly every aspect of our operation carries an element of something we’ve learned at GIC or from attending other PLANET events."
At GIC and in the association, there are opportunities that are right for businesses of every size and at every stage of their development. Many companies participate in the leadership of the association and attend committee meetings at GIC where they help tackle industry issues, while others utilize the government relations program and Legislative Day on the Hill. Hundreds of companies participate annually in PLANET’s signature community service events like PLANET Gives Back in Louisville, Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery, and PLANET Day of Service.
PLANET members also benefit from a robust public relations program that places positive stories about the landscape industry and helps to educate the public about the importance of caring for their landscapes and hiring a qualified professional to do the job. The consumer-focused website www.loveyourlandscape.com shares positive messages, has a search directory of PLANET members, and promotes the hiring of qualified as well as Landscape Industry Certified professionals.
Make the most of this year’s GIC and GIE+EXPO by taking advantage of all that membership in PLANET has to offer at the conference and year-round. Visit www.landcarenetwork.org for details or call 800-395-2522.