Around the Horn

Since our goal here at Lawn & Landscape is to give you tips and ideas to run your business better, we want you directly communicating with each other. So we’re starting “Around the Horn” where every month we’ll pose a question in the magazine, as well as on our Facebook (www.facebook.com/lawnandlandscape) and Twitter (@lawnlandscape) pages. You can answer on either one of those pages or email lleditors@gie.net. We’ll post some of the best answers online and in print. – Brian Horn

Here’s this month’s question.
Do you attend the GIE+EXPO at the end of October? Why or why not?

From phone interview:

"I haven't attended the past several years. Nothing against Louisville, but I've been there and I've done that. We typically have taken six to twelve people, and a big draw was visiting different cities and visiting other landscape companies. The facility tours have been a big draw for us. I don't do public gardens, and I couldn't care less about botanical center. It costs me $1,500 a person to attend GIC. If I'm going to spend $10,000 or 15,000, my guys better really want to go. These days, the motivation's not there on their part. I don't plan on going back until it's in a new city, and if it never is, so be it. I didn't lose anything in Louisville and I'm not going back to look for it." – Kurt Bland, senior vice president, Bland Landscapnig Co., Apex, N.C.
 

From Linkedin:

I will be attending it for the sixth straight year. It's a one time opportunity to meet green industry professionals throughout the country and abroad to get a pulse on the industry, compare notes with your peers, see the latest products and services, get a wealth of knowledge from the educational tracks and to just get re-energized and have a good time with new friends and old friends. As president of the NJLCA, I take the opportunity to talk to other associations as well as continue to be involved in PLANETS' sub-committees. The ideas and information that I am exposed to at the GIE provides me with incredible information that I can share with our members providing even more value to our association. The knowledge gained from this experience every year certainly outweighs the cost. – Jody Shilan, president of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association

Is a room full of products enough to get you to Louisville?

Attending the GIE/GIC is the best way to network with fellow green industry professionals. You can't be shy and wait for someone to talk with you. Initiate the conversation by asking where someone is from and with whom do they work. The majority of people you meet are willing to tell you something about their company and you may be able to learn something new or a different approach to solve a similar problem. You can meet people from across the US and Canada and I have even met people from England and France who attended the meeting. You can develop long-term relationships with many other professionals and get reacquainted with them each year. – Harold Enger, director of training at Spring-Green Lawn Care, Greater Chicago area
 

From Twitter:

I'm attending. Great show, awesome workshops, and a chance to network with others within the green industry. – @Mike_Caprio
 

From Facebook:

We wish we were attending; we cannot find any cost-effective way to get there. – Magnolia Landscape

YES! Investing in our future is a must! – Joyanna Diaz

Next month’s question:
Do you offer any holiday discounts to current or potential customers? Why or why not?