GIE+EXPO Workshops and Hardscape Demos Announced

There will be a number of valuable learning opportunities and workshops for landscape contractors at GIE+EXPO 2014.

Once again, there will be a number of valuable learning opportunities for landscape contractors at GIE+EXPO 2014 in Louisville, KY, at the Kentucky Exposition Center October 23-24. Numerous sessions will provide information to contractors who are looking to gain professional knowledge and learn about opportunities for diversification. Hardscape North America’s co-location with GIE+EXPO provides the opportunity to learn about expanding into the hardscape market. In addition, PLANET will be hosting four new tracks—two on snow and ice management and two on irrigation—as well as a variety of valuable management topics specifically for landscape contractors’ businesses.

Workshops and live demonstrations include sessions on how to:

  • Set budgeting goals
  • Boost profits with marketing
  • Empower your team for success
  • Improve your sales processes
  • Survive and prosper as a hardscape contractor
  • Implement cycle & soak and drip irrigation systems
  • Successfully grow your snow management services
  • Improve specific hardscape installation techniques

2014 GIE+EXPO Workshops 

Thursday, October 23

8 – 9:30 a.m. Hardscape Workshop: Outdoor Kitchen Design and Installation (breakfast sandwich & coffee provided), Speaker: Carl Peterson, Owner, Outdoor Entertainment Concepts, LLC

10 – 11:30 a.m. Hardscape Workshop: How to Survive and Prosper As A Hardscape Contractor, Speaker: Monroe Porter, President, PROOF Management Consultants

1 – 2:30 p.m. PLANET Workshop: Financial Budgeting for the Land Care Company – What are your 2015 Goals?, Speaker: Dan Gordon, TurfBooks.com, PLANET Consultant Member

3 – 4:30 p.m. PLANET Workshop: Marketing That's More than Lead Generation, Speaker: Andrew Pototschnik, Lawn Care Marketing Expert – PLANET Consultant Member

Friday, October 24

8 – 9:30 a.m. PLANET Workshop: Adopting Best Practices in Advanced Snow Management (breakfast sandwich & coffee provided), Speaker: Phill Sexton, Snow & Ice Association

8 – 9:30 a.m. PLANET Workshop: Cycle and Soak – The Methods and Reasons (breakfast sandwich & coffee provided), Speakers: Alan Richmond, Southern Botanical, and Kurt Thompson, Massey Services

10 – 11:30 a.m. PLANET Workshop: Advanced Snow Management Focus: Equipment Capacity & Managing Expectations, Speaker: Phil Harwood, CSP, Pro-Motion Consulting/SIMA Member and PLANET Consultant Member

10 – 11:30 a.m. PLANET Workshop: Utilizing Drip (Micro) Irrigation, Speakers: Robb Kowalewski, Jain Irrigation, Inc., and Marcus Duck, Michigan State University, Horticultural Department

1 – 2:30 p.m. PLANET Workshop: Business Essentials – Do the Right Things and Do Things Right, Speaker: Ken Thomas, Envisor Consulting, PLANET Consultant Member

3 – 4:30 p.m. PLANET Workshop: Controlling the Sales Beast.  Sales Systems and Finding Peace, Speaker: Domenic A. Chiarella, 7 of 7 BEST Business and Life Strategies, LLC

Registration Details

Registration in advance is required; each of the GIE+EXPO Workshops is $50. Those who register for one of the Hardscape Workshops listed above will also be admitted free to the technique demos in the HNA Outdoor Arena tent (see below). Those who only want to attend the HNA Demonstrations and tradeshow can upgrade their registration for $25 to include all the following demos.

Demonstrations in the Hardscape North America Outdoor Arena

Thursday, October 23

11 a.m. - Noon Basic Concrete Paver Installation, Speaker: Pat McCrindle, Regional Sales Manager, GST International, Inc.

1 – 2 p.m. Fire Pit and Outdoor Fireplace Construction, Safety and Design, Speaker:? Carl Peterson, Owner, Outdoor Entertainment Concepts, LLC

3 – 4 p.m. Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement Construction, Speaker:? Andrew Vear, General Manager, Southwest Specialties, Inc.

Friday, October 24

11 a.m. –  Noon Tools for Paver Installation Efficiency, Speakers:? Bill Gardocki, Owner, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc., Tom Gardocki, Hardscape Operations Foreman, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.

1 – 2 p.m. LED Lighting - Impress your Clients and Increase your Profits, Speaker:? Jeff Hesser, Mid Atlantic Regional Sales Manager, Cast Lighting LLC

3 – 4 p.m. Raised Paver Patios and Segmental Retaining Walls, Speaker: Pat McCrindle, Regional Sales Manager, GST International, Inc.

Each HNA demo is eligible for one ICPI Certified Installer Continuing Education (CE) Credit. Make sure to pick up a CE tracking form at the HNA registration desk.

GIE+EXPO’s 2014 dates are Wednesday, Oct. 22, Dealer Day; Oct. 23-24 for all industry participants. The annual event is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI), Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) and Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).  HNA is sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

The GIE+EXPO Workshops are samples of more extensive education curricula offered at the show by PLANET, PGMS and ICPI.  Information about registering for those programs is available on the associations’ websites.

For information and online registration for the tradeshow and education program, visit gie-expo.com/gieexpo.  

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