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AmericanHort Connect December 2023

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2023: December

An AmericanHort Member Benefit

A KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE FOR OUR INDUSTRY

et t e r B m r o Pe r f F a s te r w o r G u t u re F e h t re f o r a p e r P

IN THIS ISSUE

Farewell 2023, Hello 2024 As our industry wraps up the calendar year, let’s leverage the experiences and insights gained in 2023 to propel us forward in the coming year. With collaboration and a commitment to excellence, we can continue our industry’s journey of innovation and growth in 2024. Here’s to a prosperous and successful year ahead! FEATURES Download the 2023 White Paper Seven Garden Trends to Watch in 2024 Energy Outlook: What to Expect this Winter

HRI & ADVOCACY UPDATES 2 8

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How to Host a Congressional Site Visit National Meeting to Plot Strategy for Boxwood Tree Moth

UPCOMING EDUCATION & PROGRAMMING 4

2023 Education Sessions Highlights

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2024 Education Preview 14 6

HRI Leadership Academy Applications Open 12

AmericanHort Member Reception at MANTS 2024

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WHAT’S NEW

2023 Year End White Paper As we step into 2024, AmericanHort remains dedicated to supporting you in the face of ongoing market and economic uncertainties. Our team is working diligently to assist you in anticipating and navigating the changes that the new year may bring.

To stay informed and well-prepared for what lies ahead, we invite you to download our latest Year End White Paper. This valuable resource will provide you with crucial insights and strategies tailored to the unique landscape of 2024.

Download the white paper at AmericanHort.org/WhitePaper or scan the QR code.

Your success is our priority, and we’re here to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to overcome obstacles and thrive for years to come.

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2024 Grower Calendar Download the 2024 Grower Calendar Plan for a successful new year with the AmericanHort grower calendar. Download the 2024 calendar, and don’t forget to make extra copies for your office.

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Download a copy of the calendar at AmericanHort.org/2024GrowerCalendar or scan the QR code.

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AmericanHort Issues Salary & Benefits Survey Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Salary & Benefits Survey earlier this fall. Essential data on salary, staffing, and benefits was captured by greenhouse and nursery growers and garden retail centers in three distinct areas: company demographics, staffing and benefits, and salary. Respondents could provide information on up to 34 distinct job titles across full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. This survey was conducted on behalf of AmericanHort and Ball Publishing by Industry Insights of Columbus, OH, an independent research company specializing in association surveys. All responses will be held in strict confidence by Industry Insights, and no identifying information will be reported. Those who completed the survey will receive an email in mid-December from Industry Insights notifying you that the AmericanHort Salary & Benefits Industry Final Report is available for you to access by logging into the survey portal with your account credentials. Also available to AmericanHort members who complete the survey is a Company Compensation Comparison Report, an $899 value. This personalized report presents your company’s own compensation and benefits practices alongside the most appropriate industry comparatives. This will be a report for your use only. This report is FREE for AmericanHort Premium members and available to all other AmericanHort member respondents for $899.

Welcome

New AmericanHort Members! We extend a warm welcome to the new members who joined in September and October. Plus Members Mestek, Inc Westfield, MA Aster Software Inc Rosedale, BC Canada Canarm Brockville, ON Canada — Basic Members Northern Flow Vineyards Clayton, NY World Horticulture Expo 2031 Minneapolis, MN — Academic Members David Richards Cuyahoga Community College Highland Hills, OH

Questions? Please contact Karen Limbert, Vice President, Operations & Finance, KarenL@AmericanHort.org, or call 614-487-1117.

2023: December | 3


ADVOCACY

Host a Congressional Site Visit in 2024 This fall’s Impact Washington Summit provided an opportunity for over 120 AmericanHort and state association leaders and members to engage with policymakers and share their stories to gain support for policies that benefit our member’s businesses.

Didn’t get to make it to Impact Washington this year? Well, good news: you do not have to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with your local representatives; you can invite them and their staff to tour your facility. Hosting a site visit is a chance to help lawmakers understand how policy concepts apply to businesses like yours. If you have a nursery, you can show the labor behind plant production and reinforce the need for a reliable workforce. Familyowned business owners might discuss the importance of tax codes that reduce the burden of generational transfers to keep them going for generations. If you are a greenhouse operation, you might showcase how you manage pest and disease threats to your crops to help illustrate the importance of research and plant health.

Plan ahead Create an agenda explaining how specific policies affect your operation and who your legislator will meet during the visit. Plan to bring your guest to an active area that shows the work you do. Members of 4 | AmericanHort.org

Congress have tight schedules, so highlight the top areas of concern immediately rather than plan a lengthy discussion. Consider scheduling visits around events like company milestones or employee events. Invite local media if time allows to get coverage for your business and the local representative. You can also identify local industry peers to participate and share their perspectives on common issues.

Reach out Lawmakers typically delegate their local appointment scheduling to their staff members in the state or local office. To invite them, contact your local office by phone or email and explain the purpose of your request. In your invitation, include the necessary information such as who, what, where, when, and why of the proposed site visit. This will help the staff members to pitch the proposal effectively to the legislator. Confirmation of your visit may take some time because most events occur while Congress is out of session. Keep in mind


that the legislator’s team may accept an invitation with minimal notice if an unexpected opportunity arises. Sometimes the lawmaker may not be able to attend, and they will send their staff member. Be as welcoming to staff as you would the lawmakers themselves, as you never know when you might meet that staff person in the future. Staffers often have aspirations of becoming elected officials in the future.

Get prepared Your goal is to develop a relationship with your lawmaker, so be prepared to provide specific examples from your own experiences to personalize the policy issues you wish to discuss. Invite your staff to interact with the lawmaker during the visit. Plan ahead to determine what each person will contribute. This will help ensure that the conversation flows smoothly and that all critical points are covered. If the lawmaker has a staff member taking photographs of the visit, ask for copies. Send them to AmericanHort so we can share your visit with fellow members.

Follow up Follow up with personalized thank you notes to your guests for taking the time to visit your operation. You can also send along points covered during the site visit and offer yourself as a resource on the issues you discussed.

Ready to plan a visit in 2024? The advocacy team at AmericanHort is available to help you plan your event and support meaningful interactions with lawmakers in your communities. Contact Matt Mika, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs, at MattMika@ AmericanHort.org to discuss your plans.

Pictured: Penny Thompson, House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, AmericanHort Premium Member Ed Overdevest and Gail Overdevest at Overdevest Farms

House Ag Chairman Visits Overdevest Nurseries House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson visited New Jersey as part of his Farm Tour in coordination with drafting the 2023 Farm Bill. The chairman and his wife, Penny, toured a few facilities in New Jersey, including a stop at AmericanHort Premium Member Overdevest Nurseries. Ed and Gail Overdevest took the Chairman’s team on a nursery tour. They discussed issues related to labor and immigration, the 2023 Farm Bill, the cost of doing business, and the economics of a New Jersey agriculture business.

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2023: December | 5


ADVOCACY UPDATES

National Meeting to Plot Strategy for Boxwood Tree Moth By Michael Martin, Ph.D., AmericanHort Science, Research, & Regulatory Programs Director & Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort Executive Vice President, Advocacy, Research, & Industry Relations

The National Plant Board convened a late October meeting in Cincinnati, OH, to discuss boxwood tree moth status and next steps. Given Ohio’s central location, two areas of known BTM infestation, and great, industryleading nurseries, Dan Kenny, the Plant Health Division Chief from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, offered to host this meeting, pulling it together in just over two months. Participants included state and federal plant protection officials, researchers, and industry.

Bennett Saunders, Michael Martin, and Craig Regelbrugge attended to provide a U.S. horticulture industry perspective. At our suggestion, Jamie Aalbers from the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association also participated and provided a Canadian update. It is quite clear that this pest will continue to spread from the existing known infestations in New York, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, and several eastern Canadian provinces. We emphasized that growers and regulators must determine how to live with this pest and keep boxwood a viable nursery crop and landscape plant. Meanwhile, we supported prudent measures to suppress

the pest and slow its rate of spread and enabling certification of “clean” plants. Presenters covered the status of ongoing research and development of pest management tools. AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute have directly funded and advocated for a multi-pronged research effort, which is proceeding and producing results. The long-term strategy focuses heavily on biological control; work continues on the HRI co-funded efforts to identify promising parasitoids from native habitats. Interestingly, the research community noted some parasitism by biological control agents previously introduced to control gypsy/spongy moth

Fund Horticulture Research Show your support for the horticulture industry by contributing to the Horticulture Research Institute. Your contribution funds research and student scholarships to ensure the growth and success of the industry. Donations are tax-deductible and support research efforts that unite the research and business communities nationwide.

Donate at HRIResearch.org/Donate or scan the QR code.

6 | AmericanHort.org


and predation by some native species. Cristi Palmer at IR-4 reported on the latest pesticide trial results. These trials evaluate pesticides for their efficacy and duration of control of BTM. The pesticides under evaluation include common contact and systemic pesticides currently available in the market. Data presented indicate there should be multiple pesticides with several modes of action to help control BTM. There was much discussion regarding the challenge of developing and verifying systems approaches for plant certification. Growers already engaged in a structured systems approach program like SANC (Systems Approach to Nursery Certification) will have a smoother time implementing systems approaches for BTM. Federal and state regulators intend to have options for plant certification ready before the spring 2024 shipping season. Meeting attendees also explored strategies for responding to spot infestations detected away from the “leading edges” of established populations. It is not likely that we will see the kind of area-wide response that we did with the gypsy/ spongy moth, which threatened native forests and ecosystems as well as managed landscapes. Still, some interesting options are emerging, such as “mating disruption” using pheromone dispensers (experimental technologies not yet registered for general use). Such technologies may also have production nursery applications to mitigate risk. Watch for more updates as the BTM response effort continues.

AmericanHort Joins over 220 Groups on Herbicide Letter to EPA By Matt Mika, AmericanHort Vice President, Advocacy & Government Affairs AmericanHort joined like-minded trade organizations in a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its recently proposed herbicide use strategy to protect endangered species. The letter highlights concern with the complexity of the proposal, the lack of compliance options for producers/ applicators, the financial cost of proposed conservation practices, the anticipated harm the proposal will inflict on producers, agricultural communities, and the environment, as well as ESA and FIFRA statutory concerns with the proposal. We urged the EPA to use better data upfront instead of relying on overly conservative assumptions, which would help alleviate jeopardy risk concerns for species so that the agency may better work with stakeholders to develop more reasonable solutions for those species genuinely of concern.

Read the full letter here by scanning the QR code.

Pushing Back on the New Overtime Rule By Matt Mika, AmericanHort Vice President, Advocacy & Government Affairs AmericanHort joined the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity (PPWO) and over 80 organizations representing private, public, nonprofit, and educational entities in letters to House and Senate lawmakers requesting they urge the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division to withdraw its proposed overtime pay regulations. The Department has proposed to increase the minimum salary level that an employee must receive to be exempt from federal overtime pay by an overwhelming 70 percent and has additionally proposed to increase the salary level every three years automatically. This proposal comes despite the Department updating the minimum salary level just four years ago in 2019, and the new proposed salary level is effectively 154 percent higher than the threshold in place before that 2019 update.

2023: December | 7


TRENDS

Seven Garden Trends to Watch in 2024 Start off the new year with an insider’s look at garden trends for 2024 to help your business stay ahead of the curve. Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media Group, shared these ideas to try during a session at Cultivate’23. Whether you are a breeder, grower, or retailer, these seven trends can help you stay relevant and grow your business in the new year by attracting new customers.

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Generation Z, or Zoomers, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, have buying power that will shape the industry’s future. Nearly three-fourths of this generation are willing to pay for sustainable products, and they are willing to pay more for quality that stands the test of time.

Popular culture has a love affair with the dark side. Half a million posts on social media mention Victorian-era aesthetics and goth gardening. Bring in gothic looks with plants with burgundy, red, and black foliage and trees with peeling bark. Don’t throw out dead or dry plants. Add them to a vignette with fertile plants to create an eerie display.

Zoom out

A story goes a long way with this generation. Share the stories behind your products, whether it is a new plant variety designed to thrive, one-of-a-kind décor, or gifts from a local artist, and the Zoomers will come.

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Horti-futurism The future looks different than the cold, robotic cityscape we envisioned. It’s an infusion of plants with bright, bold colors. Shoppers will appreciate displays of color with avant-garde touches like floral starburst, swooping vines and neon signage. Use lights to illuminate indoor and outdoor displays for a futuristic effect.

8 | AmericanHort.org

Delight in the dark

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Bugging out Butterflies, beetles, and insect décor have been around for a while, but shoppers are interested in more realistic depictions. Utilize this bug trend by stocking your store with insect and nature-themed décor, pillows, and jewelry. The National Gardening Survey noted a 10 percent increase this year in people planting for pollinators. Offer classes or informative displays highlighting pollinator-friendly and native plants.


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The National Garden Survey found that 600,000 more households had container gardens last year, a 200 percent increase. Offer an alternative to valuable floor space with hanging gardens to maximize space indoors and out. Educate consumers on which plants work best in containers. Hanging and trailing plants can become living art or focal points in a business and be used as backdrops for promotional social media videos.

The color of 2024, cyber lime, represents the powerful connection between nature and technology. This bright, uplifting color can be incorporated into displays for a pop of lime green, but it can also be matched with fuchsias, oranges, yellows and pinks, blacks, and neutrals. Incorporating the color of the year can be as simple as painting an accent wall or a piece of furniture.

Hanging in there

Color of the Year

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Watch two sessions on 2024 trends from Cultivate’23 with a special On-Demand package for $49 for members.

Nature calls Passion for the health and prosperity of the community is driving change. People are learning they can make an impact in their backyards and communities with plants. They are rebelling against formal, traditional gardens and are more interested in creating “anti-gardens” or sustainable spaces requiring fewer inputs. Inspire the motivation to change with displays that showcase carbon-capturing plants and native trees.

Purchase in the Knowledge Center by scanning here:

In each issue of Connect, we’ll be “hiding” a new small graphic. When you find it, email us at ConnectSeekAndFind@AmericanHort.org, and tell us where you found it.

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For this issue, respond by January 5.

EK & F

Congratulations to our October winner!

Shannon M. Kuhrt, M&M Wintergreens Inc Columbia Station, OH

2023: December | 9


ENERGY OUTLOOK

Energy Outlook: What to Expect this Winter By Dan Forgacs, Vice President of Market Intelligence and Analytics, APPI Energy—An AmericanHort Affinity Partner

With cooler weather and the winter season looming on the horizon, it is the ideal time to consider the volatility that winter storms and cold weather can bring to your energy bill. For businesses, heating your facilities could be one of your most significant expenses, so it is never too early to consider ways to prepare and methods to prevent these unexpected energy costs. Let’s dive into the current energy market and projected 2023–2024 winter weather forecast to prepare you for what to expect this winter season.

Current Energy Market

2023–2024 Winter Forecast

Natural gas and electricity prices were relatively flat for much of the summer after falling dramatically from 2022 levels brought on partly by the war in Ukraine. Above-average summer temperatures, particularly in the South, reduced natural gas storage levels to within 6% of the five-year average, causing natural gas and electricity prices to increase as we approach the winter heating season. Internationally, demand for relatively inexpensive U.S. liquefied natural gas remains strong as Europe continues to replace natural gas previously bought from Russia.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a strengthening El Niño to play a significant role in weather across the United States this winter. A strengthening El Niño weather pattern generally brings warmer-thanaverage winter temperatures and belowaverage precipitation to the northern tier of the country and increased precipitation to the South and Southeast. While anticipating a drier season in the northern tier of the US, this does not mean a complete scarcity of winter storms and cold weather. Increased precipitation in the southern tier does mean

Retail Electricity and Natural Gas Comparison

Retail electricity and natural gas comparison as of October 13, 2023. 10 | AmericanHort.org


Winter Weather

Seasonal Temperature Outlook Graph alongside Seasonal Precipitation Outlook as of September 2023. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

a stronger chance of tumultuous weather patterns and severe weather outbreaks in the south.

Preparing for Winter Weather Demand for electricity and natural gas in the winter months is generally second only to the summer months. Fierce winter storms can stress the electricity grid with high demand and the potential for some powergenerating plants to go offline, as we saw with Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and Winter Storm Elliott in late 2022. A spike in heating demand generally means pricing would rise coincidingly. Although it is important to understand the strain winter weather can cause on your energy costs, that doesn’t mean you can’t soften the blow. For starters, look at your current energy contracts to ensure they are not expiring during the winter season when pricing could be at its peak. By looking ahead, you can avoid renewing during peak demand season and have access to more ideal pricing. Participating in a demand response program can reduce your business’s energy usage during pivotal times of high stress on the electric grid and can be financially rewarding. If you can, take it a step further and run any energy-intensive machines during off-peak hours, such as the evening or early morning hours.

you can upgrade to more efficient systems or set a baseline for energy reduction. When examining the effects of the upcoming winter season, the best advice is to start early. While weather is unpredictable and brings unexpected energy costs, you have time to prepare and educate yourself on areas to reduce your energy usage.

To discuss energy management techniques, contact an APPI Energy consultant to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation complimentary assessment at 800-520-6685 or info@appienergy.com.

Smart spending in 2024 As an AmericanHort member, you can save on business expenses like shipping plants, financial services, legal consultations, energy, labor, workers’ compensation, office supplies, software, and more! Check out your savings opportunities through our affinity program partnerships at AmericanHort.org/AffinityPartners or scan the QR code.

Additionally, have a professional perform an energy audit for your facility. This professional would examine all aspects of your facility’s energy usage, such as your current lighting, heating system, or potential air duct leaks. By identifying these areas, 2023: December | 11


HRI UPDATE

HRI Leadership Academy Applications Open for 2024-25

AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) are committed to helping green industry businesses perform better, grow faster, and prepare for the future. A healthy and robust industry is one with connected leaders who have a positive impact on their businesses, their industry, and their communities. Green industry professionals interested in furthering their leadership skills can apply for the next class of the HRI Leadership Academy. The one-year program teaches participants business strategy, leadership and people management, advocacy, and value chain management skills. The program launches in the fall of 2024 and will consist of in-person training sessions, online classes and meetings, and a year-end presentation at Cultivate’25.

by AmericanHort, the HRI Leadership Academy addresses the industry’s need for a leadership development program that serves current and future leaders through training, coaching, and access to a growing network of industry leaders. Do you know a senior leader, experienced professional, or top talent at any level who would benefit from this program? Encourage them to apply for the 2024-25 HRI Leadership Academy Class. Preference is given to candidates with at least five years of leadership experience and seven years of relevant industry work experience. Contact Jennifer Gray, Research Programs Administrator, Horticultural Research Institute, JenniferG@AmericanHort.org, with questions about the program.

Applications are due February 9. Visit HRILeadershipAcademy.org to apply or scan the QR code.

Managed through the Horticulture Research Institute (HRI) and generously supported

Support Future Leaders You can support this program by contributing to the HRI Leadership Endowment Fund, which aims to empower even more aspiring leaders. Over time, the fund will make sure that the HRI Leadership Academy becomes a permanent opportunity for green industry leaders, ensuring a strong future for generations to come.

Donate at HRILeadershipAcademy.org/Donate or scan the QR code. 12 | AmericanHort.org


EDUCATION

2023 Education Program Highlights Year-round educational programming keeps you updated on trends and best practices and ensures you and your team can perform their best. In 2023, industry experts led more than 35 online sessions covering key areas, including new developments in pest and plant management, navigating H-2A and H-2B programs, employee training, and strategies to grow your business. As a member, you can access the program recordings in the Hort Knowledge Center any time to review webinars again or catch up on programs you missed. Most webinars are free to members. Advanced programming, like the Mastery Series, is available for a nominal fee.

Check out these sessions and more in the Hort Knowledge Center at AmericanHort.org/KC or scan the QR code.

Industry Insider: Training Tools and Programs Learn creative solutions for effective employee development from your peers in the nursery, greenhouse, retail garden center and interior plantscape sectors.

Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management for Ornamental Plants See how to use integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM) to reduce damaging pests without negatively affecting non-target organisms like pollinators.

Diagnosing Plant Problems: A Look Through the Lens of a Technical Specialist

Five Key Digital Marketing Tips You’ll Need to Move Your Brand Forward

Understand what plant specialists need to help you with a plant issue, including photographs and information that ensure you gather the right materials for an

Discover which digital marketing tactics, like audience insights, user experience and curated e-commerce, can give your small business tangible results.

accurate diagnosis. 2023: December | 13


EDUCATION PREVIEW

Save the Dates for Education in 2024 Education programming for 2024 covers the latest technology, foundational skills for your teams, and more. Led by expert speakers and panelists, your teams can get the tools they need to become more efficient, productive and ready for the upcoming season. Industry Insider: AI for Horticulture Businesses January 30, 2–3:30 p.m. ET

Back2Basics: Train Your Team Week February 5–9

Our first Industry Insider webinar of 2024 shows you how artificial intelligence (AI) can optimize workflows, ignite innovation, and significantly increase productivity. This hands-on session explains the fundamentals of this technology’s capabilities and why it can be a game-changer in the workplace.

Our Back2Basics series explores fundamental skills and best practices in the nursery, greenhouse, interior plantscape, landscape and garden retail segments to prepare your teams for the spring season. The one-hour sessions kick off on February 5. Details and registration information will be available soon.

Mastery Series: Using AI In Your Business February 13, 20, and 27 In the three-part Mastery Series, our speakers go in-depth on AI-powered strategies to help you not only adapt to technological evolution but lead it.

Part 1: AI in Marketing and Content Creation February 13 1–2:30 p.m. ET Learn how to use tools to help you brainstorm new ideas, stretch your content further, and repackage your existing collateral for multiple platforms.

Part 2: AI in Horticultural Sales Training February 20 1–2:30 p.m. ET

Part 3: AI for Customer Experiences, Safety, and Security February 27 1–2:30 p.m. ET

Discover how AI can optimize your sales processes, from lead generation to customer engagement and hear realworld examples of AI-driven sales success.

Explore how AI can be harnessed to build personas, enhancing safety and security and leading to more efficient operations and superior customer experiences.

Visit AmericanHort.org/Education for details and to register or scan here.

14 | AmericanHort.org


EVENTS

s must be contracted with and through show management. Exhibitors ibit space nor permit any other company to use their exhibit space s. All companies that wish to exhibit at MANTS should submit a wait to which is found on the homepage of the MANTS website, SEE YOU AT

24

Suitcasing Policy

tted at MANTS. This policy includes attendees trying to solicit , as well as exhibitors who are letting non- registered companies . Suitcasing is the act in which unauthorized individuals or companies attempt to solicit January business at 10–12, MANTS.2024 The unauthorized individuals may have registered as show attendees or be sharing booth space with companies who are registered as legitimate exhibitors. In the VISIT AT BOOTH #2342 is knowingly permitting a non-registered company to use its latterUS instance, the exhibitor space, which is an act in defiance of show rules.

Business Happens Here. Suitcasing is not permitted at MANTS. This policy includes attendees trying to solicit

hich unauthorized individuals or companies attempt to solicit e unauthorized individuals may have registered as show attendees or ith companies who are registered as legitimate exhibitors. In the itor is knowingly permitting a non-registered company to use its defiance of show rules. Mark to experience business for themselves, as well as exhibitors whoyour are calendar letting nonregisteredthe companies green industry’s one-stop shop for plant, share their booth space. product, and technology innovations.

INVITES YOU TO OUR

All exhibiting companies must be contracted with and through show management. Exhibitors Member Reception may not sublet their exhibit space nor permit any other company to use their exhibit space

Save the Date

Tuesday, 9, 5–7 All p.m. underJanuary any circumstances. companies that wish to exhibit at MANTS should submit a wait list application, the link to which is found on the homepage of the MANTS website, Pratt Street Ale House July 13–16, 2024 www.mants.com. 206 W. Pratt St.

Columbus, OH USA

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Suitcasing Policy

Any attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, in another booth, or in violation of any portion of the Show Guidelines, will be asked Thank you tocompany’s our reception sponsor: to leave immediately. Please report any violations you observe to Show Management. You may call the show office at 410-649-7472 or flag down one of us as we walk the show floor. Please try to get the business card of the individual who is suitcasing. Show Management will do our best to find the “suitcasers” and remove Discover them fromMore the building. MANTS exhibitors who engage in suitcasing,AmericanHort.org/Cultivate meaning they have knowingly included, and permitted companies not registered with Show Management to work from the exhibitor’s booth, will face penalties to include closure of your booth, loss of years of seniority, and /or exclusion from future shows. Incidences reported will be addressed by Show Management. Let us all work together to protect our MANTS exhibitors, our show integrity, and reputation as “The Masterpiece of Trade Shows.”

WITH US

We want to get to know you better. Help us do so by following us on Social Media—our way of connecting with our members and community. @AmericanHort

@youramericanhort

About AmericanHort AmericanHort is the national association of horticulture businesses and professionals across the spectrum of the industry. Perform better, grow faster, and prepare for the future as a member of AmericanHort, the green industry’s leading association. AmericanHort.org

@AmericanHort

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AmericanHort Connect 2023: December Publisher: Mary Beth Cowardin, Vice President, Marketing & Member Engagement Editor: Cindy Whitt, Marketing Communications Manager Hello@AmericanHort.org 2130 Stella Court Columbus, OH 43215-1033 USA (614) 487-1117

©2023 AmericanHort. All rights reserved. This material may contain confidential information, and it is for the sole use of AmericanHort members. The information contained herein is for general guidance and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. It cannot be distributed, reprinted, retransmitted, or otherwise made public without prior written permission by AmericanHort. Please contact the editor at (614) 884-1147 for permission with acknowledgment.

2023: December | 15


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