WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) has announced that CENTS 2016 registration is now open to all attendees. CENTS Marketplace & University have grown together to provide an integrated professional development experience. CENTS 2016 will be held from Mon.-Weds., Jan. 11-13 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The tradeshow will feature more than 400 exhibitors offering products and services ranging from nursery stock, hardscaping products, pest-disease control, landscaping equipment, business services and more. CENTS professional development offers 136 sector-focused courses, allowing attendees to create a personalized educational experience through pre-conference intensive workshops, keynotes, nursery tours, hands-on expert demonstrations and interactive classroom presentations.
The CENTS education program opens with seven pre-conference workshops, Sunday, Jan. 10 where CEO’s, owners, business managers, landscape professionals, sales teams and irrigation specialists can gain intensive training to elevate skills and generate ROI. Monday through Wednesday, CENTS 2016 will feature education for industry professionals that offer continuing education units (CEUs). Credits will be available from: ASLA, APLD, IA, ISA, TCIA, ODA, OCNT, Landscape Industry Certified and more.
“Industry specific education and CEUs are vitally important to our attendees” said Lisa Larson, Education Director. “CENTS education is designed by business for business to ensure that professionals from every sector of the green industry will benefit from expert-led programs on science, technology, plant materials, marketing, recruiting and operations critical to their success”.
New this year, CENTS 2016 will showcase additional education within the tradeshow complimentary with the purchase of a tradeshow pass. The “ONLA Garage” features live technician education dedicated to use and maintenance for equipment investments. Classrooms committed to plant, pest and disease knowledge along with guided nursery tours that connect buyers with vendors and expert advice are also within the tradeshow. Each day CENTS will include a keynote or featured speaker and host facilitated networking or sector business roundtables to provide diverse opportunities for tradeshow attendees. Returning in 2016 is Climber’s Corner dedicated to tree care professionals.
Guest speakers at CENTS 2016 include: Travis Beck, ASLA, director of horticulture at Mt. Cuba Center; Dr. Charles R. Hall, ellison chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University’s Department of Horticultural Sciences, and Jeni Britton Bauer, founder and chief creative officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
Visit www.CENTS16.com to register, and to learn more about CENTS attendance and lodging options, trade show and education schedules, and event rates.