MARCH 26 – The theme of the Reinders 22nd Green Industry Conference, “Celebrating Our Past with Our Eyes on the Future,” was evident throughout the distributor's two-day show, March 11 and 12, at the Waukesha Expo Center in suburban Milwaukee, WI.
Based in Sussex, WI, Reinders is a family-owned distribution company established in 1866. It has six store locations across Wisconsin in Sussex, Waukesha, Kenosha (Bristol), Madison, Appleton (Little Chute) and Stevens Point (Plover); three stores across Illinois in Chicago (Franklin Park), Vernon Hills and Rockford; two stores in Minnesota in Minneapolis (Plymouth) and Rochester; and one store in Kansas City, MO. Reinders carries quality product lines such as turf equipment, irrigation products, fertilizers, grass seed, power equipment, landscape lighting, fountains, rock salt and many others.
The company is beginning its 150th anniversary celebration this year. Banners depicting significant events in the company’s history were hanging in the arena show hall at the Green Industry Conference. Each morning began with a video presentation showing how the company has expanded from its initial roots back in 1866. Music from various decades from the 1800s to the 1990s was heard playing in the background during each afternoon’s refreshment hour.
Reinders has hosted this conference and tradeshow every other year since 1973. It brings together nationally known speakers, enlightening seminars and a variety of industry manufacturers all in one place.
Their 23rd Green Industry Conference will be held one again in March of 2017.
Highlights of this year's recently held show
SEMINARS, NEW PRODUCTS. Over 35 seminars covered something for everyone in the green industry. Six different educational tracts ran simultaneously to meet the needs of golf course superintendents, landscape contractors, lawn care operators, sports turf managers, equipment mechanics and irrigation contractors.
Some of the new products displayed by K-Rain, an irrigation manufacturer, focused on water conservation. Tom DeCavalcanti, director of North American sales for K-Rain, said he is looking forward to a great year and feels that confidence in the economy has returned. “Wisconsin is one of the states that stands out for me. There’s a healthy vibe here,” he said.
Dave Louttit of fertilizer manufacturer The Andersons gave an informative seminar about how Black Gypsum can help resolve salt damage in turf and ornamental landscapes caused by ice control products applied this winter.
Ed Beaulieu of Aquascape showed contractors how in less than three hours they can incorporate smaller, highly profitable water features into their projects.
Greg Schramer of Cast Lighting explained how some homeowners don’t want a lot of complicated features in their landscape lighting system; they just want their lights to look good and turn on and off at the appropriate time. He showed how to design and install simple, durable lighting systems that eliminate callbacks and provide worry-free performance.
Various factors that impact weed control including proper identification, environmental conditions, water quality and Esters vs. Amines were examined by Jeff Schmidt of PBI Gordon.
Using social media and websites to grow a landscape business was covered by Steve Drake of the SCD Group. He explored the role websites and various social media tools play in connecting with younger generations of customers and employees.
Show attendees had the chance to win a drone and camera. They visited exhibitor booths to find the answers to questions they had to correctly identify to qualify for the grand-prize drawing. Paul Meyer, grounds specialist for the Franklin, WI, Public School District, was the lucky winner.
Hot, homemade donuts are a tradition at every Reinders show. More than 5,000 of the tasty treats were served over the course of the two days. Attendees also enjoyed competing with their friends and co-workers for the highest score at the Skee-Ball Entertainment Zone.
FEBRUARY 2 – Reinders Inc.—a Wisconsin-based distributor of equipment, fertilizers, irrigation supplies and more—is returning to the Waukesha Expo Center in suburban Milwaukee for its 22nd Green Industry Conference, March 11-12.
Reinders is kicking off its 150th anniversary celebration with a show theme of “Celebrating Our Past with Our Eyes on the Future.” The event features educational sessions, a trade show with over 80 leading suppliers and manufacturers, hot homemade donuts each morning, lunch, raffle prizes and refreshments each afternoon.
Based in Sussex, WI, Reinders is a family-owned distribution company established in 1866. It has six store locations across Wisconsin in Sussex, Waukesha, Kenosha (Bristol), Madison, Appleton (Little Chute) and Stevens Point (Plover); three stores across Illinois in Chicago (Franklin Park), Vernon Hills and Rockford; two stores in Minnesota in Minneapolis (Plymouth) and Rochester; and one store in Kansas City, MO. Reinders carries quality product lines such as turf equipment, irrigation products, fertilizers, grass seed, power equipment, landscape lighting, fountains, rock salt and many others. Reinders works with a wide variety of customers including golf courses, municipalities, schools, parks, cemeteries, athletic facilities, contractors, landscape companies and architects.
Diverse lineup of educational sessions. A world class program of more than 35 seminars is scheduled. A partial list of guest speakers and topics includes:
- Dr. Jim Kerns of North Carolina State University will provide tips for “Maximizing Turfgrass Health Under Budgetary Constraints"
- “Maximizing Weed Control” will be discussed by Jeff Schmidt of PBI Gordon
- Jim Hague of Knox Fertilizer will help answer the question, “Are Long Feeding Fertilizers and Combination Products for Me?”
- “FountainScaping: Designing & Installing Small Scale Water Features into New and Existing Landscapes” will be presented by Ed Beaulieu of Aquascape
- “The ABC’s of NPK” will be examined by Bruce Schweiger of the University of Wisconsin
- Matt Hollingsworth of NDS will provide tips about how “Drainage Enhancements Add Profits”
- “Growing Your Business with Seasonal Lighting” will be explored by Brian Webb and Kevin Hunt of World Class Lighting
- Dave Louttit of The Andersons will discuss, “New Fertilizer Solutions”
- Eric Baumeister of The Toro Company will provide hints for “Troubleshooting Electrical and Hydraulic System Problems”
- “Harnessing Multiple Generations in the Workforce” will be explored by Steve Drake of the SCD Group.
Raffle prizes include drone. Attendees will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win the show grand prize package consisting of a drone and camera.
Show pre-registration is $59 per day or $99 for a 2-day pass before March 6. Registration at the door is $69 per day. Visit http://www.reinders.com for show information, seminar updates and registration.
