New Two-Day WESTERN Announced for 2010

The WESTERN is focused on connecting the national horticulture industry through innovative education, networking, and trade. The 2010 WESTERN is all about providing you (attendees AND exhibitors) the tools you need to seize the opportunities and meet the challenges of the future, and be more profitable. 

The 2010 WESTERN features a streamlined two-day schedule packed full of education, networking and trade.  While the 2010 WESTERN is shorter time-wise it features the most education ever – 55 hours –  and the most networking opportunities ever, all while providing a more interactive and fun trade show floor full of world-class exhibitors and top-notch, innovative products.

The 2010 WESTERN will have five tracks of interactive education – workshops, panel discussions, lectures, and classroom style sessions where you bring your computer or pencils/ drawing materials, and one where you even bring some of your own marketing pieces and sales figures.

• Innovative track: John Stanley will talk about  the opportunities for garden centers in 2010 and other speakers will discuss wind turbines, electric utility vehicles, how to use social media to effectively market your company (sponsored by American Nurseryman), the trend toward kitchen gardening, and inspire you to look at your own business and to discover new ways to brand yourselves.
• Business track: Robert Hendrickson and Sid Raisch (sponsored by Novalis, Fisher Farms, Carolina Nurseries, and The Retail Computer Group) will present a full-day workshop on marketing and finance while other presenters show you how to implement Lean and sustain the improvements, save money with energy efficiency, save money on your insurance, and get state incentives for your business.
• Design & Build track: Our speakers will also discuss LED lighting, integrating sustainable techniques into design, the Greensburg, Kansas master plan, rain gardens, and how to make more money in less time
• Horticulture track: Speakers include Dr. Olsen (sponsored by Greenleaf Nursery Company), a research geneticist with the U.S. National Arboretum, Dr. Todd Lasseigne speaking on new plant introductions and plant explorations in Japan, Jeff Gibson from Ball Horticultural discussing seasonal color and perennials in containers, Yale Youngblood with GIE Media discussing trends, and Andy Pulte speaking on winter gardens, among others.
• WESTERN University track, sponsored by KAT Nurseries, will continue to bring in the top university professors and researchers to discuss a variety of horticultural topics including native plants, managing diseases, weed control, insecticides, alternative substrates, ornamental grasses, wildflowers, plant nutrition, and managing staff.

The 2010 WESTERN Annual Meeting and Trade Show is Jan. 3-4 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. For updates and more information, visit www.WNLA.org or e-mail info@WNLA.org.