2016 GIE+EXPO, Hardscape North America show takes shape

Updated Jun 17, 2016

Given the phenomenal participation by companies serving the landscaping industry, as well as a host of learning opportunities, the combined GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America trade show is one event you should consider attending – even if you’re not the trade-show-attending type.

The show is set for Oct. 19-21 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Oct. 19 is “Dealer Day,” with the show opening to all on Oct. 20.

The 2015 show was the biggest ever and organizers say 2016 is shaping up to be another record-setter. In addition to the enormous indoor exhibition, the show includes a 19-acre outdoor demonstration area just off the showroom floor. More than 750 exhibits, along with a New Products Showcase, will feature outdoor power equipment and other products for landscapes, gardens, hardscapes, light construction and outdoor leisure.

GIE+EXPO workshops cover a variety of management topics specifically for landscape contractors’ businesses. Hardscape North America also features both workshops and demonstrations.

Here’s a look at just some of the 2016 GIE+EXPO educational programs:

Thursday, Oct. 20

8-9 a.m.: Opening keynote speech by John Schnatter, founder and CEO, Papa John’s. Fee is a $15 donation to the Louisville Zoo. Sponsored by Hardscape North America.

10-11:30 a.m.: Hardscape Workshop: Secrets Every Contractor Ought to Know About the Hardscape Business. Presented by Frank Gandora, president, Creative Hardscape Co.

1-2:30 p.m.: National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Workshop: 50 Shades of Gray – Identifying, clarifying and choosing marketing strategies that work. Presented by Kent Kohn, Pro-Motion Consulting Inc., NALP consultant.

3-4:30 p.m.: NALP Workshop 2: Five Steps to Increasing Your Profitability with QuickBooks. Presented by Monica Muir, Muir & Associates LLC, NALP consultant.

Friday, Oct. 21

8-9:30 a.m.: NALP Workshop 3: How Not to Sell Your Business. Presented by Ron Edmonds, Principium Group, NALP consultant. Learn why businesses don’t sell, as well as why they do. This session will focus on how you can improve your odds of a successful exit from your business – on your terms and timetable.

8-9:30 a.m.: NALP Workshop 4: Coach, Evaluate and Manage Your Employees the Right Way. Presented by Steve Cesare, Harvest Group, NALP consultant. This hands-on workshop will give you the key components of employee discipline, performance management and evaluations.

10-11:30 a.m.: NALP Workshop 5: Building Your Proposal from the Ground Up. Presented by Richard Arlington of Rich Arlington & Associates, NALP consultant. Attendees will learn how to calculate their breakeven point, the difference between markup and margin, and how to account for efficiency factors.

10-11:30 a.m.: NALP Workshop 6: Make More Profits, Create More Free Time, and Grow Your Landscape Business Organically by Avoiding These Three Massive Mistakes. Presented by Domenic Chiarella, 7 of 7 BEST Business and Life Strategies LLC, NALP consultant.

1-2:30 p.m.: NALP Workshop 7: Ten Things Every Land-Care Operator Needs to Know About Financial Statements. Presented by Dan Gordon, Turfbooks.com, NALP consultant. Many owners and managers in the land-care industry sometimes struggle to understand their financial statements, budget for growth and profitability, and effectively manage accounts payables and receivables. In this session, attendees will gain an understanding of these important financial concepts in order to evaluate where their business has been, where it currently is, and if and how it will progress in the future.

3-4:30 p.m.: NALP Workshop 8: Optimize Your Cash Flow and Get Paid Faster. Presented by David Tulkin, Fundbox, NALP consultant. Cash flow is essential to business success, but 64 percent of small businesses experience late payments, and landscapers are no exception. Chances are if you invoice on net-terms, you have funds tied up in receivables that you need to make payroll, buy supplies or take on the next big job. This session will cover key steps to taking control of your cash flow and using technology to optimize your invoicing workflow. It will also cover traditional and alternative types of financing available to landscape owners.

Registration is required in advance to attend the workshops. For more information and registration information on GIE+EXPO, visit the show’s website here.

hardscape-north-america-LogoIn addition to the educational sessions outlined above, Hardscape North America will offer a wide variety of demonstrations in its outdoor exhibition area. Those sessions will range from paver installation to basic wall building, from tools of the trade to lighting and water feature installation. For details on those offerings, visit the HNA webpage here.

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