Overview (All sessions)

A previously slow but steady movement towards native landscapes is beginning to accelerate, with a demand for lower-maintenance properties and landscapes that use less water, include less lawn, benefit wildlife, and offer a more naturalized look than traditionally cultivated properties. This session is for anyone interested in learning more about the design, installation, and maintenance of native plant landscapes and capturing a share of this burgeoning market.

Home landscapes are shrinking, the average property size is now less than a quarter of an acre. More and more people are living in the city and have less and less space for plants. This has resulted in an increasing demand for dwarf/compact, self-contained plants. In this talk we will talk about the role compact plants play in today’s landscapes, and I’ll recommend some of the very best plants for small spaces.

Unlock the secrets to seamless communication in your organization. This presentation dives into identifying and fixing common communication breakdowns that cost time, morale, and productivity. We'll explore actionable techniques for improving message clarity, choosing the right channels, and setting clear expectations around quality, quantity, and timeliness – ensuring that your teams stay aligned, informed, and motivated.

It's time for a new POS system. You need to update your website. It's time to replace the ERP. How do you intelligently choose new tech systems that work together and avoid shelling out serious cash only to find you didn't get what you were expecting? Leave this session with an understanding of where to look for new tech options, what questions to ask your in-house staff and external consultants and software sales reps, as well as the types of changes you'll need to manage when making tech jumps.

In this presentation, we will explore innovative ways for landscapers to diversify their revenue streams and tap into additional billable opportunities. As business owners and managers, you understand the importance of maximizing profits and growing your customer base. However, with increasing competition in the landscaping industry, it's becoming harder to stand out and maintain profitability. We'll discuss how you can expand your business beyond traditional landscaping services, leveraging your existing skills and resources to generate more revenue.

This session will highlight how a CRM can manage, nurture and close more clients. It will also include:

• Benefits of using a CRM in the Green Industry
• Top three best-performing landscape email subject lines
• Public Reviews and how it can impact your business
• The top 3 indicators to tell if your current marketing company is good
• Calculating your Technology Investment ROI

Learn how to create a compelling proposal that reflects the client’s needs and the scope of the project, explains deliverables and services provided, includes a timeline and milestones for the work, and outlines fees involved. A solid design proposal sets the stage for the future relationship with the client.

Unlock the secrets to transforming your landscape company into a powerhouse of success through the lens of company culture and leadership expert, Sam Gembel. You'll learn the pivotal role that daily habits play in shaping the culture and ultimately, the success of your landscaping business and how seemingly small daily habits can have a profound impact on your company's overall performance, employee satisfaction, and client relationships. You'll take away actionable strategies to cultivate a culture of excellence within your team.

The growing media you use is a critical part of your success.  In recent years there have been some significant stress on supply chain and material availability that has required adaptation and increased attention on innovation.  We will take a look into where we are now, how to understand what is behind the changes we have seen and where we are going from here.

All professionals want to provide amazing, thriving plants at retail and at installation.  Come to this session to learn how to optimize new plant genetics in the nursery, in the greenhouse, and in the landscape.