HERNDON, Va. – The National Association of Landscape Professionals announced a number of benchmarks which point to a very successful GIE+EXPO and LANDSCAPES 2015 conference that was held in Louisville, Kentucky, October 21–23.
LANDSCAPES 2015, NALP’s annual education conference, had more than 1,900 attendees, up 30 percent from last year with the inclusion of GIE workshop attendees. The GIE+EXPO workshops that are produced by NALP also saw an increased attendance of 26 percent over last year.
“We work hard to bring attendees new education each year and to make sure the conference is fresh and relevant,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE,NALP CEO. “Adding the one-one-one sessions with the Trailblazer business mentors and increasing the number of networking parties was well received by attendees. There was definitely an excitement and a buzz this year.”
The GIE+EXPO attendance also broke records with more than 21,000 people attending the show.
NALP actively recruits new members during the show and conference. This year, 53 companies joined the association at the show, a 39 percent increase over last year.
“We really saw a lot of excitement at LANDSCAPES this year, many people said it was the best convention in years,” Hickman said. “People connected with our new brand and strategic vision and they made the choice to join because they understand what we are doing to help them meet their business goals.”
LANDSCAPES 2015 received major support from Platinum Sponsor John Deere, Gold Sponsor Caterpillar, Inc. and Silver Sponsor Bayer Environmental Science.
NALP also held its annual awards presentation during LANDSCAPES 2015, sponsored by Caterpillar, Inc. NALP’s Awards program recognizes the best work in commercial and residential landscape design, installation and maintenance, as well as interior plant work, and also the best in safety.
This year, the Awards of Excellence were given to 117 projects in the following categories: 36 Grand, 73 Merit, and eight Recognition. Two Judges Awards were announced and presented at the ceremony – McDugald-Steele Landscape Architects and Contractors, Houston, Texas in the Exterior Landscape Design/Build category and R.P. Marzilli & Co., Medway, Massachusetts in the Exterior Landscape Contracting category.
R.P. Marzilli & Co. also won the Audience Choice Award. Visit NALP’s website for a complete listing of all the Awards of Excellence award recipients.
“NALP is very proud to honor all the great work that our members do,” said NALP President, Scott Jamieson, Landscape Industry Certified. “Our Awards program reinforces NALP’s focus on highest standards and professionalism by providing the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing partners and leaders that make our industry so great.”
The Safety Recognition Awards, sponsored by CNA, were also celebrated at this awards dinner. A listing of those recipients and the “Best of the Best” can be found on the NALP website.
In addition to the many awards presented at LANDSCAPES this year, NALP also recognized nine member companies with the most Landscape Industry Certified staff, those members who have been instrumental in developing NALP’s annual Community Service Project (formerly known as PLANET Gives Back), and the most recent Foundation Ambassadors.
For more information about NALP’s Awards program, visit NALP’s website or call the NALP office at 800-395-2522.