Spring Training for Landscape Professionals

March 1, 2022

Brought to you by

Location

Stoneleaf Nursery
476 County Road 1200 E
Eureka, IL 61530

For the first time, the ILCA and IGIA have teamed up to present the 2022 Spring Training for Landscape Professionals.  This one-day seminar will have two tracks with sessions designed for all levels of your landscape operation. This program features skilled trainers and educators from across the state. This diversity allows us to consider different plant palettes, client expectations, and maintenance and installation techniques.  This program will cover essential skills that landscape professionals need to know and help make sure your employees are prepared for the busy landscape season!

Agenda

8:00 – 8:30AM - Registration, Light Breakfast

8:30 – 8:45AM - Welcome & Introductions

8:45 – 9:45AM - Math Rules & Plan Reading
Presented by Eric Eisenman, Brookside Landscapes; Ryan Heitman, The Fisher Burton Company
The audience will be introduced to a design print or plan, and how to read it. They will gain an understanding of tools used in the field, interpreting the plant list or legend and common problems in the plant layout. They will be introduced to the types of measurements used on a design print and in the field. They will learn five basic math rules including calculating square feet, square yards, cubic feet, cubic yards and tons.

What to Expect with Green Goods in 2022
Presented by John Cottrell, Stoneleaf Nursery
Join Sam and John as they share the trends from 2021, and what’s coming in Spring 2022 so you can better plan for your orders.

9:45 – 10:00AM - BREAK

10:00 – 11:00AM - Woody Plant Identification
Presented by Corinne Brown, Illinois Central College
Identify common and unique plants and shrubs popular in the region and in residential and commercial landscapes. ICC horticulture professor Corinne Brown will identify characteristics to help field staff identify the species, and type of plant so that proper care may be taken during installation and maintenance.

Managing Plant Warranty Issues
Presented by Mark McWilliams and Laurie McWilliams, CopperTree Landscape & Design
CopperTree Design & Landscape owners Mark and Laurie McWilliams will share how handling plant warranties has changed over the years in their business; including how they work to educate customers on the front end, and how they manage the exasperating yet ever-present issue of replacements. You’ll hear how they communicate the plan of action from the moment the plant is received from the grower to the time it’s planted at the job site, the various warranty options presented to customers, requirements for a plant to be covered, and the follow-through after a job is complete.

11:00AM – 12:00PM - Tree & Shrub Planting & Pruning Tips
Presented by John Rogers, JR’s Landscape Services
In this session, field staff will get practical tips from an area arborist and a local landscape professional so they can acquire the knowledge in proper planting techniques and basic pruning of trees and shrubs. This will be a combination of classroom and hands-on training.

Landscape Business Owner Panel
Moderator: John Cottrell, Stoneleaf Nursery
Panelists: Carol Rakers, Creative Garden Services; Patty Brockmeyer, Designer Landscapes; Dale Stuber, Stuber Land Design; Adam Bellas, Bellas Landscaping
John Cottrell will facilitate Q&A of a panel of area owners from four different markets, discussing the challenges faced in 2021 and what is anticipated in 2022. You’ll hear honest perspectives from your peers, including what’s been successful and even a few things that have been thrown out the window.

12:00 – 1:00PM - Lunch (generously provided by Stoneleaf Nursery)

1:00 – 2:00PM - Job Site Efficiency
Presented by Phil Bahler, Pave Tool Innovations
In this session, Phil will take a project from start to finish as if he was the project coordinator/foreman. He will make recommendations, based on real life experience, for the best equipment, tools, products, and systems. This session will cover the preplanning phase (line up products and materials); Proper Equipment/Tools; Layout of the job; Dig out; Pallet to Pavement; Cutting Dustless; Edging; Sweep and Compact.

2:00 – 3:00PM - Don’t Be that Guy: A Refresher on Etiquette & Customer Service
Presented by Lauren Howell, Stuber Land Design; Terry Holum, Sebert Landscape
This session will refresh your understanding of the system of rules and conventions that regulate social and professional behavior and how to deliver exceptional customer service. We’ll also have fun discussing real life examples of situations you’ve encountered and how they could be managed toward better outcomes. Our presenters will offer mindful tips so you’re not “that” guy on the job site.

Registration

IGIA and ILCA members receive the member rate for this event!

Member Rate - $60

Non-Member Rate - $75

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Sponsored by

Company sponsorships are available for $250!

Sponsors receive one (1) complimentary attendee registration ($75 value), a table for promotional materials and to discuss products with attendees, name and company logo displayed on signage and digital materials, recognition in IGIA Trending Green eblasts and ILCA's The Landscape Contractor magazine. LEARN MORE