GIE+EXPO education to focus on technology and business solutions

Leading industry associations will host workshops at GIE+EXPO on topics ranging from software and connectivity to drones, online reviews and opportunities for diversification. In addition, a new Technology Summit will provide insights on robotics, technology, AI tools and more. Sessions will be hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Professional Grounds management Society (PGMS), Irrigation Association (IA) and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

Registration is open for the annual trade show, which is set for Oct. 20-22 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Technology Summit

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 10 AM-1 PM

$129 fee includes all three sessions

Robotics and Technology in Landscape Design and Maintenance

Olle Markusson, Global Director Product Management, Robotics – Husqvarna
Co-presenter: Pam Dooley, Plants Creative Landscape

Who What Where – What Apps are Best for Tracking Labor, Schedules and Project Management?

Nanette Seven, Include Software
Co-Presenters: Shawn Ryan, Environmental Designs; Todd Coleman, Bonick Landscaping; Mike Mendez, Mariani Landscape

Disruptive Innovation and Must-Have Technology for the Green Industry

Beth Berry, Real Green Systems
Co-Presenter: Kendall Hines, LawnBot

The Technology Summit is hosted by NALP. Following the summit, landscape professionals are invited to the free opening keynote featuring U.S. Navy 4-Star Admiral James Stavridis at 2 PM before the show floor opens at 3 PM.

GIE+EXPO Workshops

The GIE+EXPO Workshops, spanning all three days, will cover a variety of management and technology-related topics specifically for landscape contractors’ businesses.

Two sessions presented by technology experts from Michigan State University will focus on how they have redefined the university’s grounds program using grounds management technology, drones and more. Attendees will walk away with knowledge about how these technologies can be integrated into their business models.

In addition, contractors who are looking to diversify will find two workshops on estimating tips and best practices in the hardscape market, as well as an irrigation symposium where a panel of irrigation industry leaders will share real-world analysis and solutions for landscape professionals in the landscape irrigation industry.

GIE+EXPO Workshop Schedule

Hardscape Workshops: $65; All other workshops: $85

Wednesday, Oct. 20

• 12:30-1:30 PM – Irrigation Symposium: Landscape Irrigation 2021: Opportunities and Challenges
• 3-4:15 PM – The Ins & Outs of Websites, Chris Darnell, The Harvest Group
• 4:30 – 5:45 PM – Creating a Modern Workforce: A 21st Century Approach to Management, Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM, GrowTheBench.com

Thursday, Oct. 21

• 8-9:15 AM – Michigan State University’s Landscape Services Technology Journey to Higher Performance, Adam Lawver, Director of Campus Services, Michigan State University
• 8-9:15 AM – Secrets Every Contractor Ought to Know About the Hardscape Business, Frank Gandora
• 9:30-10:45 AM – Estimating Hardscape Projects with Confidence, Donny Duke
• 11 AM-12:15 PM – Human Resources Compliance Best Practices, Steven Cesare, Ph.D., The Harvest Group
• 1-2:15 PM – How Your Landscaping Company Can Optimize Google My Business to Generate a Constant Flow of Leads, Christopher Yates, Success Landscape Marketing
• 2:30-3:45 PM – Creating a Five-Star Brand, Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Scott Consulting, Inc.

Friday, Oct. 22

• 8-9:15 AM – Drones in the Green Industry, Jeremiah Saier, GIS Analyst, Michigan State University
• 8-9:15 AM – Online Reviews: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Chad Diller, Landscape Leadership
• 9:30-10:45 AM – Benchmarks & Critical Numbers for the Landscape Industry, James Huston, J.R. Huston Consulting

Registration details

For information and online registration for the trade show and education program: www.gie-expo.com. Other contact points: @gieexpo on Facebook, @GIE_EXPO on Instagram and Twitter, info@GIE-EXPO.com and 800-558-8767/812-949-9200.