Wednesday January 11 - CONFERENCE SESSIONS
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
OWNERS ONLY WORKSHOP: How to Succeed and Prosper as a Landscape Contractor
This pr
ogram covers business structure, financial strategies, pitfalls and key contractor business skills. Attendees will learn how to structure their business for maximum profitability, including how to develop the most efficient business structure, how to identify and develop profit strategies and how to lead your company more effectively.
Monroe Porter
Proof Management Consultants, Richmond, Virginia
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The Kitchen Table Presentation
You have met with the clients, designed the plan and created the proposal. Now you are ready to make your big presentation and close the sale. Avoid the biggest mistakes and use the simple solutions, including how to properly structure a proposal plus the right (and wrong) ways to present a landscape plan. This session is guaranteed to improve your closing ratio.
Jody Shilan
New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, New Jersey, New York
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Small Words, Big Problems: How to Spot Common Problems Before They Happen
Drawn from years of field experience, this seminar will cover some of the sentences you need to listen for
— from both crews and customers — that tell you something is about to go wrong. This session information will lead to improved field productivity and job planning, and fewer errors and cost over-runs.
Mark Bradley
Landscape Management Network, Whitby, Ontario
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Weather Tools for Maintenance Operations: Low Tech to High Tech
The Weather Network is a great source for technical weather information during inclement weather. Robert will highlight Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS), Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS), and icon forecasts vs. specialized road maintenance forecasts. Attendees will also learn more about chemical management strategies as well as why pavement forecasts, NOT air temperature forecasts should be used. This session is a must-attend for snow removal contractors.
Robert BoggsThe Weather Network, Oakville, Ontario
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Seeing Red: Rules, Regulations and Red Tape Permits, neighbours and due diligence — from the contractor’s perspective. Learn from these seasoned industry leaders’ experiences, and gain a better understanding of the process for navigating through red tape.
MODERATOR:
Peter Guinane, Oriole Landscaping, Toronto, Ontario
PANELISTS:
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Extraordinary Design Details
This presentation shows a photo collage of inspiring design ideas to take your landscape designs to the next level. Designers and contractors will get great design ideas that they can apply to their own work, including paving details, innovative fences and screens and artistic elements.
Beth Edney, CLDDesigns By The Yard, Etobicoke, Ontario
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Recruiting Programs that Work: How to Attract and Get the Right People on Board
Attracting the right people for your organization is the number-one core competency that all organizations must be very, very good at. This will make the difference between your organization being average or best in class. Attendees will leave with a framework for building an effective recruiting program.
Bill ArmanThe Harvest Group, Calabasas, California
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Understanding YOUR Rights and Obligations Under the Construction Lien Act
The Construction Lien Act controls the flow of money on virtually every construction project in Ontario, regardless of size. If you pay or receive monies for construction work in Ontario, the Act imposes both rights and obligations. It provides suppliers of work, services and materials with rights of recovery, including the claim for lien and the construction trust remedy which, among other things, often allows suppliers to pursue individuals behind a company that owes them money. On the other hand, the Construction Lien Act imposes obligations in relation to the construction lien holdback and the construction trust which, if not met and taken seriously, can result in serious consequences. Construction industry pros, be they financiers, owners, consultants, contractors, subcontractors or suppliers, should understand these rights and obligations, to assist them in dispute resolution and to avoid the pitfalls associated with a breach of the Act’s provisions. Time will also be set aside for questions and discussion about the issues raised.
Rob Kennaley McLaughlin & Associates, Toronto, Ontario
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Trials and Tribulations: A Look at New Plant Introductions
The University of Guelph Trial Gardens grows more than 1,200 sq. m. of beds and containers, featuring sun and shade plants, annuals and perennials, vegetables, ornamentals and cut flowers. Its satellite location at Landscape Ontario in Milton trialed over 300 cultivars this season. Results produced favourites in all areas, such as vegetables for small urban spaces and All-America Selections, plus several twists on the old favourites, many new colours and lots of new crosses. But what worked ... and what didn’t? Join Rodger as he gives you his view of what’s new.
Rodger TschanzUniversity of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Town Hall: Ask The Experts
Nothing compares to a good teacher and the voice of experience — our panelists offer knowledge gained from the school of hard knocks! They will share several of their most valued business lessons, and a few life lessons as well. You will be treated to candid accounts of mistakes, and the important lessons that resulted. Discussions will take place in conference rooms, each with a Room Moderator and several Discussion Leaders. Lunch will be provided.
MODERATORS:
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
SPECIAL SESSION: Human Resources for the Future: Making the Specialist High Skills Major Program Work For You!
Make sense of the SHSM Horticulture and Landscaping program from the ministry, employer, teacher and graduate perspectives. If you don’t know what SHSM is, you need to attend this session! SHSM (Specialist High Skills Major) is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector, while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. The Horticulture and Landscaping program is designed to help prepare students for a career in the green industry. This session is aimed at employers, educators and students.
Admission included with trade show registration.MODERATOR
Sally Harvey, Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, Milton, Ontario
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
SPECIAL SESSION: Landscape Industry Executive Program - Taking the LIEP to Business Excellence
Are you an executive, manager, or owner-operator striving for business excellence? Do you spend too much time putting out “fires running your business” to have time to plan long term goals such as strategic business and succession planning? Do you have difficulties hiring and retaining good people? Does your business need systems to increase profitability, organization and communication? Learn how this new capstone professional development program will benefit you and your business. LIEP is scheduled to commence November 2012, with registrations due March 2012.
Admission included with trade show registration.