CENTS kicks off new year of education

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s capital city will once again host the Midwest’s largest nursery, landscape and garden center exhibition this January, offering a convention hall full of all that is green, along with new experiences to make the show fresh and inspiring. The all-new CENTS University education sessions will feature speakers and topics designed to engage and engross the audience of green industry pros, adding another layer of interest to this already successful event.

“We are excited to introduce our CENTS University three-day education program, featuring educators, authors, industry leaders and business professionals” states Kevin Thompson, executive director of ONLA, which sponsors the annual exhibition. “These exceptional presenters will mean more opportunities to learn, to take something away that will help how you do business in 2015, and to be inspired.”

In addition to the high-powered education experience, CENTS continues to offer strong commercial and networking opportunities, and a show floor full of new products, latest trends and the new ‘Hands in the Dirt’ demo stage. This year’s programs and events are decidedly personal, building on CENTS centerpiece offering that no amount of digital communication can replace: face-to-face meetings.

These include:
• All-Convention Keynote featuring Janine Driver. This NY Times bestselling author will share her perspective on how understanding body language is smart business. Learn what customers are saying without speaking a word.
• CENTS University A-List of featured speakers, including; retail expert Ian Baldwin, designer Jody Shilan, landscaper Jeffrey Scott, arborist James Urban, ecological restoration expert Peter MacDonagh and more.
• Social Scene - Welcome Wednesday Reception, Throwback Thursday (#TBT) Party, and It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere! Friday Finale.
• Landscaper’s Challenge - spirited competition between students demonstrating creative, on-the-spot ideas, right on the trade show floor.
• Climber’s Corner - classes and demonstrations on structural pruning, chainsaw use, aerial rescue and more.
• Career Marketplace, the only professional green industry job fair in Ohio.
• ONLA Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon to connect to green industry leadership and vote on important ONLA business and network with peers.

CENTS Marketplace & University will take place Jan. 7-9, 2015 at The Greater Columbus Convention Center. Built strong from the ground up, the CENTS’ experience is designed to engage, enlighten and excite industry professionals who travel from across the country to attend the Midwest’s largest green industry convention. Click here for more information.