Let Congress be your guide to inspiration
Most people get the blues after the holiday season. There is a huge build up of excitement and adrenalin and then…nothing.
That is unless you are in the horticulture industry! We have Congress – your best opportunity to catch up with colleagues and suppliers. The event, now in its 39th year, has truly become the most anticipated meeting place for this great industry.
Comprised of more than 20,000 small businesses with an estimated annual economic impact of $14.48 billion, the green industry employs 132,000 individuals, generates $3.8 billion annually in labour income and provides $820 million each year in taxes.
“Despite a little apprehensiveness from some of our members about next year’s business environment, the general feeling is that we are in the right business for the current economic situation. Thousands of homes and buildings have been erected in the last 10 years combined with additional infrastructure spending during the last two. This business activity represents a huge untapped market for our sector,” says Tony DiGiovanni CHT, executive director of Landscape
Ontario.
More than 600 exhibits
Congress offers more than 600 exhibits from Canada, the U.S. and Europe that showcase the latest and best products for landscaping, including large and small equipment, pools, fencing, plant products, irrigation and paving products.
At Congress, conference offerings will fall nothing short of inspiring.
Warm-up Monday pre-trade show events include the Landscape Designers Conference — a full-day event intended to provide designers with pertinent, stimulating and relevant new information to prepare for the upcoming season.
The conference kicks off Tuesday morning with several sessions, including ‘Using Social Media to Enhance Your Business,’ presented by Kyle Lacy, author of Twitter Marketing For Dummies. This social media communicator will highlight best strategies, including marketing your brand through Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms.
Also on Tuesday, ‘Indulge in Excellence’ will be presented by Alistair Johnston, LO Awards judge, presenter and volunteer extraordinaire. He has had the benefit of viewing all submitted construction entries from the last few years and will highlight the most ‘excellent’ from the last few.
The day caps off with the Awards of Excellence ceremony — the ultimate opportunity for inspiration. Be amazed by the quality of craftsmanship, span of originality of pure beauty displayed buy the winning projects. And that’s just Tuesday!
On Wednesday, Beth Edney CLD will inspire you with her session ‘Extraordinary Design Details,’ while providing new ideas for future projects. Rodger Tschanz will review new plant introductions, giving a more eclectic palette for Spring 2012.
Tailgate XVI
Wednesday night ends with the infamous Tailgate Party — a great place to network with peers and enjoy some great food and superb entertainment. This year the event has been reformatted, and will offer attendees a great new experience. Tailgate begins at 5 p.m., and so does the food! No more waiting for the bell to ring, with lots of fun new selections and the entertainment will start shortly after.
Thursday offers ‘Dream BIG.’ The title says it all. Christine Gracey and Randy Tumber will give attendees a peek at some of their most luxurious projects. Also not to be missed is Ron Koudys’ session, ‘What Does the Future Hold for Our Industry?’ Known for his innovative and generous teaching spirit, Koudys will highlight coming trends and new ideas on how to prepare for long-term success.
There are too many exciting sessions and events to list them all here. You must come to Congress and see how you can be inspired.
To see more about what Congress can offer you, go to www.locongress.com.
