Industry members looking for ways to improve efficiency and profitability will find content in 12 free education sessions on GIE+EXPO ToGo. The online portal that has been connecting industry members to the new innovations they would have found at GIE+EXPO, now offers four education tracks – landscape contractor, dealer/retailer, grounds management and hardscape. It can be accessed anytime, anywhere via www.gieexpoToGo.com through the end of 2020.
“This year has presented new opportunities that have pushed the green industry to the limits, in many cases, but also allowed us to emerge better and stronger versions of ourselves,” said Sara Hey of Bob Clements International. “As we look forward to 2021, now is the time to make a plan for how you are going to maintain the momentum of 2020. What better way to reenergize and start the planning process than to engage with some of the training you would have found at GIE+EXPO – the centerpiece of industry education.”
The educational opportunities are presented by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, Bob Clements International, the Professional Grounds Management Association, and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
Landscape Contractor Track
Disciplines and Tactics for Exponential Growth
Judy Guido of Guido & Associates starts off with a business strategy session focused on attracting and retaining employees and learning how to leverage marketing and human resources to minimize recruiting and workforce development problems.
Recruit Like a Pro
Kelly Dowell, founder at Keldo Digital, leads viewers to simple, high-impact ways to leverage online marketing to attract new employees to your lawn care or landscaping business. She explores best practices for optimizing your website to attract, engage, convince and convert potential applicants.
Building Your Landscape Brand with Social Media
Moderator: JW Washington, senior director for sales learning and development at AriensCo. Moderates a panel discussion on practical insights and tools to help create and enhance brade on established and emerging social medial channels. Panelists are Jeremy Thorne, ThorneCare Landscape Solutions; Hope Smith, Plants Creative Landscapes; and Mark Hopkins, LandCare.
Why Employees Should Come Before Customers
Paul Fraynd, CEO at Sun Valley Landscaping and Seth Kehne, founder at Lawn Butler discuss the importance of leadership being a responsibility, not a privilege and why employees should always come before customers.
Dealer/Retailer Track
Maximize Your Cash Flow
Bob Clements shares from his new book, You’re the Problem (and the Solution!), to help dealers maximize their profitability and cash flow in service, parts and sales regardless the size of a dealership.
Improving Employee Performance
In the next video, Clements further shares a tool for owners and managers to evaluate the effectiveness of their people and learn effective ways to improve employee performance.
You’re the Problem (And The Solution!): Seven Proven Habits to Help You Reclaim Your Sanity, Your Life, and Your Dealership
Sara Hey walks viewers through the seven habits that set the dealers who are constantly successful apart from those who can never get ahead. She will share stories of dealers who exhibit these characteristics and share how you can reclaim your sanity, your life and your dealership.
Reclaiming Your Sanity and Your Time
In this session, Sara Hey guides viewers to help move from being a reactive manager of your time in each department to a proactive manager. In addition, she shares the one-hour challenge and gives specific and applicable ways to regain control of service, parts and sales departments.
Grounds Management Track
Predictably Human: Developing A Risk Competent Workforce
Joe Estey, principle performance improvement specialist at Lucas Engineering & Management Services leads participants through an interactive sessions to learn about human performance fundamentals that are reshaping the workplace.
Grounds Management Budgeting
This session, led by George Bernardon, vice president of grounds management at SSC Services for Education, will show ground managers how to create and improve their own financial budgets through developing, implementing and historical data. Successful budgeting is necessary to understand relative operations and prioritize cost-effective estimates for clients.
Hardscape Track
ICPI Boot Camp: Intro to Best Practices for Installing Interlocking Concrete Pavers – Part 1
ICPI Boot Camp: Intro to Best Practices for Installing Interlocking Concrete Pavers – Part 2
Dan Moreland, Belgard architectural representative at Oldcastle APG, Inc walks viewers through the best practices that will help you to have successful interlocking concrete paver installations. Starting with the base, viewers will learn to properly build segmental concrete pavement systems that look beautiful and last for many years.
“GIE+EXPO ToGo has become a valuable resource for attendees and exhibitors alike. We’re pleased to now have several education opportunities on the portal thanks to our partner associations and organizations,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and managing partner of GIE+EXPO. “We may not have been together in Louisville, but we can move the industry forward, connect and learn safely until we’re able to meet again.”
In addition to education, visitors will find exhibitor listings for both GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America, a new product spotlight and resources such as product specs, demo videos, special event links and brochures.
Registering for a free My ToGo Planner will allow them to save exhibitor listings, links and product information. It also provides access to exclusive show specials and discounts.
For more information or to set up a My ToGo Planner, visit www.gieexpoToGo.com. Other contact points: Facebook, [email protected], Twitter @GIE_EXPO, Instagram @GIE_EXPO and 800-558-8767/812-949-9200.
