From Where I Stand

iLandscape is open for business February 2-4, 2022. From the start, we remained committed to an in-person experience that focused on education, networking, and new product awareness. ILCA has held a number of live events over the past 18 months. We are confident in our ability to provide tremendous value while mitigating risk. The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center is extremely excited to welcome us back. You can expect an even higher level of cleanliness and professionalism than normal.

We also want to have one heck of a party! When we were considering what the industry needed after the last two years, everyone agreed — a party. The more we planned, the more we came back to the idea of an old world Mexican street festival. The plaza, fountains, colors, flowers, food, music, and drinks. The more we talked the more we could smell the carnitas, elotes, and cheladas.

This theme wasn’t just about a party. The reason we used both English and Spanish was a reflection of the cultures that make our industry great. Never before, have our cultures had to rely on each other for our success and safety. The English and Spanish phrases eventually merge together as One Fiesta. The best parties are the ones where everyone is invited, so let’s get to it.

We encourage attendees to let loose at iLandscape 2022. Months have gone into the planning of this party. Obstacles and opportunities were thrown our way. As usual, we leaned on our committees and volunteers to develop a world class program so desperately needed after two years apart.

In November, I stood in a room of 350 landscape professionals at our Annual Party. Too much time had passed and I forgot how important networking and connections are to this industry. After a few remarks, we stepped back and just let the landscape industry reconnect, grow, learn, and feel whole again. We have that opportunity again at iLandscape — just 15x bigger.

The show has an expanded floor plan with two SOLD OUT exhibit halls: Discovery Hall and Innovation Hall! The show will feature over 275 exhibitors, the hottest products, amazing educational speakers, jawdropping show gardens, ILCA’s Excellence in Landscape Awards Night, Career Fair, a raucous Wednesday night party, a quirky and unforgettable Thursday night networking event, entertainment, prizes, and much more.

Attendees can visit over 500 booths to see the latest trends in plants, green industry products, hardscapes, equipment, and more. The world famous Modern Day Romeos headline our Wednesday evening party. iLandscape gathers the best minds in the green industry as part of its educational program. The event features over 50 unique education sessions. Our bookstore will have many of the speakers’ newest offerings and many of the authors will be on hand for book signings. Spanish-language education sessions are available at no additional cost and students can attend the show for free and receive discounted rates on education! Irrigation professionals, arborists, and landscape architects can max out on continuing education units. Our Career Fair featuring 45 top employers caps off the week.

If you can’t join us, we understand. If you do, you will join thousands of landscape professionals for three days and two nights of industry fun and excitement. The next landscape season will be here in the blink of an eye. Until then, think about the essential people and cultures that pushed us through the darkest parts of 2020 and 2021. You are all invited to our One Fiesta and your experience begins on page 54. Scott Grams — January 6, 2022

As we begin the 9th annual iLandscape Show, I can’t help but revel in how close and unified our industry really is, and it is no question why this year’s theme, “One Fiesta: Todos Unidos All United,” strikes overwhelmingly true. There is no denying how very competitive the landscape of the Illinois green industry is, especially with so many companies operating within close geographical range to one another. We are comprised of people from all over the horticultural spectrum: Landscapers - design, build, maintenance; growers, nurseries, greenhouses, Landscape Architects and designers, irrigation contractors, lighting specialists, turf growers and installers, garden retailers; and not to mention all the manufacturers and suppliers who support everyone and keep it all running. And in this competitive landscape, we are all trying to leverage our value propositions, customer experience, and unique distinctions to provide for our respective success.

So, what is it about these three days in February, that we call the iLandscape Show, that allows us all to ‘play nice’ in the same horticultural sandbox? We may be competitors (sometimes even ruthless), but surely, there must be some secret sauce that brings this unity. After pondering this for quite some time, the answer is simple - Education. Whether attending seminars, walking the tradeshow floor, or networking with other industry colleagues, we are all striving to expand our knowledge and improve; and what better place than with 6,000+ individuals with the same passion for what we do and how we do it? From the newly formed company trying to establish a more professional operation to the well-established, multi-decade old companies - iLandscape is second-to-none in delivering its educational opportunities.

When I reflect on iLandscape, it represents much more than just a tradeshow or educational seminar. It stands a beacon of unity, bringing our entire industry together with the common goal of improving our expertise, professionalism, and opportunity as individuals and an industry-atlarge. The tireless efforts of the ILCA staff and the various committees that put in countless hours to deliver such an incredible experience often goes unnoticed and I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to each of these individuals for providing us the opportunity to grow and unite.

Until next time … Todos Unidos!

Scott McAdam, Jr.

President, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association

Al iniciar la 9.a Feria de Paisajismo anual iLandscape, no puedo sino regocijarme de cuán unida y solidaria es realmente nuestra industria y no debe sorprendernos que el tema de este año, “One Fiesta: Todos Unidos All United),” nos parezca abrumadoramente apropiado. No se puede negar la competitividad del paisaje de la industria verde de Illinois, especialmente con tantas compañías funcionando en un ámbito geográfico relativamente pequeño. Nos componemos de personas de todo el espectro hortícola: paisajistas – diseño, construcción, mantenimiento; cultivadores, viveros, invernaderos, arquitectos paisajistas y diseñadores, contratistas de riego, especialistas en iluminación, cultivadores e instaladores de céspedes, minoristas de jardinería; además de los fabricantes y proveedores que apoyan a todos y mantienen las cosas funcionando. Y en este entorno competitivo, todos estamos tratando de apalancar nuestras propuestas de valor, experiencias con los clientes y las características que nos distinguen para lograr el éxito.

Por consiguiente, ¿qué tienen estos tres días de febrero que llamamos la Feria iLandscape, que nos permite ‘ser amables’ en el mismo cajón de arena hortícola? Podemos ser competidores (algunas veces, incluso implacables), pero con seguridad hay un componente secreto que produce esta unidad. Después de reflexionar sobre esto por algún tiempo, encontré que la respuesta es sencilla - Educación. Ya sea asistiendo a semanarios, recorriendo las exposiciones de la feria o interactuando con otros colegas de la industria, todos nos esforzamos por ampliar nuestros conocimientos y mejorar; y ¿qué mejor lugar para esto que junto con 6,000+ personas que tienen la misma pasión por lo que hacemos y cómo lo hacemos? Desde la compañía recién formada que trata de establecer una operación más profesional hasta las compañías bien establecidas desde hace décadas – iLandscape es insuperable por su capacidad de ofrecer oportunidades educativas.

Cuando reflexiono sobre iLandscape, me doy cuenta de que representa mucho más que solo una feria o un seminario educativo. Es un faro de unidad que reúne a toda nuestra industria con el objetivo común de mejorar nuestra experiencia, profesionalismo y las oportunidades que se nos presentan como individuos y como industria en general. Los incansables esfuerzos del personal de ILCA y los diferentes comités que invierten horas incontables de trabajo para hacer realidad tan increíble experiencia, con frecuencia pasan inadvertidos y pienso que todos tenemos una deuda de gratitud con cada una de estas personas por darnos la oportunidad de crecer y unirnos.

Hasta la próxima vez … ¡Todos Unidos! The Landscape Contractor 8

President Scott McAdam, Jr. McAdam Landscaping, Inc. (708) 771-2299 Scottjr@mcadamlandscape.com

Vice-President Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 293-5444 jwkramer@kramertree.com

Secretary-Treasurer Ashley Marrin Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-8160 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com

Immediate Past President Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

Directors Eric Adams Russo Power Equipment (847) 233-7811 eadams@russopower.com

Jim Cirrincione Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. (630) 323-1411 jcirrincione@hinsdalenurseries .com

Kim Hartmann Hartmann Consulting 847-404-7669 hartmannkim@comcast.net

Jennifer Fick Wilson Nurseries and Landscape Supply (847) 683-3700 jennf@wilsonnurseries.com

Tom Klitzkie Nature’s Perspective Landscaping (847) 475-7917 tklitzkie@naturesperspective.com

Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net

Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com

Mark Utendorf Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com

www.ilca.net