Elevate, the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ annual conference and expo, took place in Charlotte, North Carolina Nov. 3-6. Through events at the conference, the NALP-PAC raised $115,000 and the NALP Foundation raised more than $158,000.
“This year’s Elevate event was truly a success, breaking attendee records, blending high-caliber educational programming, inspiring discussions, and the latest technology and equipment and extensive networking opportunities,” says Britt Wood, NALP CEO.
As part of the event, NALP presented its annual awards, including the Awards of Excellence, where a record 246 projects were recognized for outstanding achievements in landscape management, landscape contracting, design-build, lawn care, and interiorscape projects. Ruppert Landscape received the highest award, the coveted Judges’ Award for their project, Metropolitan Park Terraces.
NALP’s Leadership Awards were also presented. Lifetime Leadership went to Jeff Buhler of Massey Services , Women Leader of the Year to Brigitte Orrick of the Davey Tree Expert Company, Advocate of the Year to Nick Brummel of Brummel Lawn & Landscape, and Young Professional of the Year to Nate Farley of NationScapes. Farley was a panelist at Lawn & Landscape's Business Builder event in May.
NALP’s annual Safety Recognition Awards, in partnership with Rancho Mesa, were also recognized. More than 70 companies received awards this year, with four companies receiving “Best of the Best” awards, which are presented to companies that have maintained the “Overall Safety Achievement Award – Gold Level” status for the past three years, including:
- Brandon Rushing Lawn & Garden Care – Lorton, Virginia
- Curby’s Lawn & Garden – Olathe, Kansas
- Keep it Green Landscaping – Fair Lawn, New Jersey
- SchoggenScapes – Clinton, Mississippi
Next year, Elevate will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, November 2-5, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
