Big show: New Jersey Landscape 2016 set for next week

It’s no wonder really that New Jersey Landscape 2016 is the premier trade show in the United States’ largest “Tri-State Area,” comprising New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Given the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association’s year-round educational offerings – particularly through NJLCA University – not to mention a regular slate of social events and chapter meetings, it has to be among the most active organizations of its kind in the country.

With a full pre-conference agenda on Tuesday, March 1, the 39^th annual trade show and conference is set for Wednesday. New Jersey Landscape 2016 will be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. There’s still plenty of time to go; just register here and pick up your badge at the show.

A wide variety of floor demonstrations are planned, along with the numerous classroom sessions. And speaking of the show floor, more than 150 exhibitors are participating this year. You can find a complete list of them here.

Some highlights from the agenda are outlined below, and here’s a link to the full schedule of offerings at both the pre-conference meetings and the day of the show.

From 9 to noon (all times Eastern) on March 1 in Room C, a pre-conference course titled “Drainage Site Solutions, Irrigation Repair & Diagnostics, and Porous Pavements” will be offered. The fee is $99 for NJLCA members and $149 for non-members.

In the same room from 1-3 p.m., a pre-conference session on “Landscape Lighting for Profit” is scheduled. It carries 3.5 continuing education units from Association of Professional Landscape Designers. The cost is the same as for the course above.

On the hardscape side, the more extensive – and thus costlier – “ICPI Two-Day Paver Installer Course” is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday in Room E. The Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute course costs $135 for NJLCA members, $280 for ICPI members and $350 for non-members.

The show-day offerings are extensive as well. From 9-10 a.m. Wednesday in Classroom A, Rich Buckley of Rutgers University will speak on “Emerald Ash Borer Management for Residential and City Trees.” Buckley’s class is among several that contribute to recertification with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Needless to say, New Jersey Landscape 2016 won’t be all work. In addition to the virtually unlimited networking opportunities, this year’s trade show includes a new lounge area as well as live entertainment.

Once the conference ends, you may want to check out NJLCA’s wealth of training opportunities. You can get a feel for their quantity and quality at the organization’s website.