Ottawa this week: March 2, 2011

Ottawa Chapter this week

Add the Ottawa Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks


Ornamental grasses in the northern garden, Mar. 8

Susan Dyer of Kings Creek Trees, is conducting a half-day seminar at
Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247 Kilborn, Ottawa, aimed at
landscape contractors, landscape designers, garden maintenance
contractors, plant buyers at garden centres and anyone with an interest
in horticulture. The seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to 12-noon.
Learn how to save on plant costs, particularly when comparing giant
grasses to trees, while producing extraordinary and stunning landscapes
using ornamental grasses of all sizes. Lunch is not included. Cost is
$60 for LO members, and $96 for non-members. To register go to Ottawa Seminars.

Introduction to pruning, Mar. 10

This seminar is for anyone who is going to be pruning, and includes
classroom and practical instruction to develop participants’ skills and
confidence in pruning basics, and to answer the what, where, why and how
of successful pruning. Be sure to dress for the weather when attending
this seminar, and bring: gloves, eyewear, etc., and pruners. The seminar
will take place at Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247 Kilborn
Place, Ottawa, starting at 9 a.m. and going until 4 p.m. Cost is $115
for LO members and $192 for non-members.
Register here for Ottawa Seminars

Permacon Spring Tour 2011, March 10

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Ottawa Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 10 at 2011 Hampton Inn and Convention Centre, 200 Coventry Rd., Ottawa. Educational seminars include
Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit
by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc.,
and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and
also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even
a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Techo-Bloc contractor showcase 2011, Mar. 28

Learn about new products, installation tricks, support programs,
equipment suppliers and the latest technologies available at the Hampton Inn
Ottawa and Conference Centre, 200 Coventry Road, Ottawa, from 7 a.m. to
3 p.m. Register.

New address for Ottawa seminars
Please take note that all the Ottawa Winter Seminars will now take place
at the Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247 Kilborn Place, Suite 300
D., Ottawa.

Winter seminars underway
Check out the Ottawa Chapter Winter course schedule here.

LO this week

Canada Blooms opening night party, Mar. 15

Don’t miss opening night party at Canada Blooms at the Direct Energy
Centre, starting at 6:30. Enjoy special guided tours of the award
winning gardens, demonstrations by floral superstars Frank Ferragine,
Albert Graves, Neville Mackay and Paul Zammit, along with a special
salute to the 40th Anniversary of the JUNO Awards. There is also a
silent auction, wine tasting, a cash bar and free parking. Highlight of
the evening will be a special musical performance by JUNO Award Winner
Carolyn Dawn Johnson. To order tickets, or to see more information, go
to Canada Blooms.

Hiring summer students

Businesses can apply to receive a $2-per-hour, per student hiring
incentive by contacting the nearest Employment Ontario Summer Jobs
Service agency. Visit the Employment Ontario website.

CNN puts Canada Blooms in best destination category

CNN has interviewed top garden experts to get the scoop on this year’s
best destinations to view beautiful, budding flowers, and Canada Blooms
has cracked the list of top places to see beautiful flowers. To access
the website, go to CNN

CLP Strategic planning and business assessment, Mar. 7

The Strategic Planning session will review establishing a strategic plan
for your business. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for
non-members. It takes place at the LO home office in Milton, from 9
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Note: Extra fees apply for exam or manuals. Visit
www.clp.canadanursery.com, or call 1-888-446-3499 for more details
regarding cost and exam registration. A brief review on the CLP module
Exterior Production Operations, including time for questions, will be
held at the end of each seminar if time permits. Lunch is not included.
Register at CLP

CLP Corporate Financial Management module, Mar. 8

Completing this seminar will guide you towards a clearer basic
understanding of how to utilize and understand financial statements for
smarter fiscal management and alleviate some of the frustrations that
can accompany managing financials. Cost for LO members is $115, and for
non-members it is $192. The seminar will take place at the LO home
office, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more details, visit
www.clp.canadanursery.com, or call 1-888-446-3499. It is strongly
suggested that each participant read and review the CLP manuals prior to
taking each course and exam for best success. To register go to CLP.

CLP Human Resource Management module, Mar. 9

The CLP module Human Resource Management addresses one of the industry’s
greatest challenges. The seminar will cover recruitment, hiring,
compensation, training and safety. This is a must for owners and
managers in today’s business climate. Visit www.clp.canadanursery.com,
or call 1-888-446-3499 for more details. The seminar will take place at
the LO home office from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost to LO members is $115,
and for non-members it is $192. To register go to CLP

CLP Risk, Contracts and Legal requirements module, Mar. 10
The CLP module Risk, Contracts and Legal Requirements covers risk
management, contract law and business structures. This topic will help
the business owner to minimize day-to-day risk. The second part of the
day, on the CLP module Marketing and Sales Management, covers an
important component of your strategic plan and a major pillar guiding
healthy growth. The seminar will take place at the LO home office from 9
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit www.clp.canadanursery.com, or call
1-888-446-3499 for more details. Cost for LO members is $115, and for
non-members it is $192. To register, go to CLP

Industry Canada creates SME benchmarking tool

Industry Canada has created a web page benchmarking tool which provides
background information on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The
program provides access to industry averages for income statement and
balance sheet items, financial ratios and information on profitability
for small- and medium-sized businesses, and features detailed financial
data on more than 600 industries across Canada, including more than 30
performance benchmarks to help small businesses determine how they
measure up to their competitors. To access the page go to
Benchmarking.