Event Highlights —
2021 Annual Party & Membership Meeting Ushers in New Beginnings by Nina Koziol
Let the fun begin!
If there’s any indication that things are returning to normal—as in Before Covid—it was ILCA’s Annual Party at Joe’s Live in Rosemont last month. “It’s not Joe’s virtual, it’s not Joe’s zoom, but Joe’s Live!” said executive director Scott Grams to an enthusiastic crowd. “It’s the second largest annual party we’ve ever had. We’re an industry that has not only survived, but thrived. This is a night to relax.” His words were echoed by Debbie McGuire, chairperson of the Membership Committee. “Welcome to this party,” she said. Scott Grams, “You have no idea how happy I am to say those words.” As promised, the business meeting was held to 30 minutes to ILCA Executive Director allow ample time for networking, dinner and drinks. More than 355 people registered for the event where they met old and new friends, shared challenges of the past two years, concerns over the economy, and whether the demand for landscaping will continue at its current record pace. Many attendees expressed optimism about the future. “The last two years, we’ve really grown,” said Pat Buescher of Premium Travertine in Chebanse, Illinois, a travertine paver distributor. “We doubled in 2020 and again in 2021.” If those around him weren’t holding drinks, they’d have fingers crossed in the hope that prosperity will continue.
Outgoing President Honored
Grams thanked outgoing president Donna Vignocchi Zych of ILT Vignocchi. “She was asked to navigate one of the most challenging years—lockdowns, no vacations and by June—the busiest landscaping year in history,” Grams said. “She set the bar and told the board, the committees and staff to climb over it. Donna is one hell of a lot of fun. Once a month we spend four hours talking with and thanking ILCA members. Donna started that.” She told the audience, “I’m very humbled. Scott has become such a dear friend and it’s been an honor to serve. I don’t think anyone in this room would be here without him. He has that great charisma, political correctness and is fun. It wasn’t an easy year, but it was super fun.” (continued on page 34)
32
The Landscape Contractor December 2021
Debbie McGuire, Donna Vignocchi Zych Immediate Past President Membership Chair
