The Landscape Contractor magazine January 2016

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January 2016

CONTENTS

Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

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FOCUS: ILCA Awards and Honors ILCA Person of the Year Honoring Christy Webber ILCA Distinguished Service Award Honoring The Care of Trees/A Davey Company

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11 12

The Status of Education Programs in the Industry 16 Where can you find your next employees?

Garden Speak 22 Athyriums’ delicate looks are deceiving iLandscape — It’s Showtime!

The complete program for your preview

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22

Member Profile 56 Tentinger Landscapes Plant All-Stars 62 Betula ‘Madison’ — White Satin Birch

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EN ESPAÑOL

iLandscape More to do... More to see... iLandscape Más cosas que ver... Más cosas que hacer... 46

On the cover... Hursthouse, Inc. received a Gold Award for this Residential Construction project.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS

ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message Classified Ads Advertisers Index

Photo Credits ILCA Awards Program Christy Webber The Care of Trees Schiolarship Committee Richard Hawke

1, 8-9 10 12 14 22-26

Calendar

4 5 7 58 61

FEBRUARY February 3-5, 2016

Experience Committee Arthur Weiler, Inc

29-54 62

The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication.

Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. WWW.ilca.net Volume 57, Number 1. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630)637-8632

Feb 23-26, 2016 (two, 2-day classes) Digital Design 2016 Google SketchUp Workshop with Author Daniel Tal Northern Illinois University Hoffman Estates Hoffman Estates, IL 60195

PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication.

ILCA Staff

Magazine Staff

Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net

Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net

Education Manager Julie Nicoll jnicoll@ilca.net

Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com

Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia O’Connor aoconnor@ilca.net Membership & Marketing Coordinator Marissa Sikirdji msikirdji@ilca.net

ILCA 2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150 www.ilca.net

v Becke Davis Senior Writer treethyme@aol.com Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net Barbara Dutton Feature Writer Jim Fizzell jjfizz@aol.com

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The Landscape Contractor January 2016

From Where I Stand...

For the past five years

foreign oil. At the same time, the Organization of the Petroleum , my trips to the Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided toward the end of 2014 gas station were pretty typical. My gas light would turn on. I’d not to manipulate prices by restricting oil production. This was pull into the nearest gas station and insert my credit card. I’d done so begrudgingly. This was led by the Saudis who continclick through the 47 different questions (look, I’ll tell you when I want a carwash!) that now precede a gas purchase. I’d consider ued to ramp up production. The Saudis were concerned about washing my windshield, but go back to checking my phone. The political unrest engulfing the region and losing more market share to the Americas. pump would stop. I’d gaze slack jawed at the final price. I’d Any landscape company can also appreciate the havoc shake my head, utter, “what a rip-off” and drive away. Then, I weather plays on a job. Crude oil production is no different. wouldn’t think about gas prices again until my gas light turned Remember the lack of hurricanes you heard in blood orange and the process would repeat. passing on the local news. That’s not just good About the summer of 2014, a fresh phenews for residents, but for oil drillers too. That nomenon occurred. The pump would stop, means production in the Gulf of Mexico continI’d look up at the display and see a new numues unfettered. ber, a much lower number, than ever before.

Like cheap scotch, gasoline also has blends.

I’d worry that it shut off prematurely and There are summer blends and winter blends of check the gallons. Hmm, full tank. The price gasoline. Unfortunately, for landscape companies, was less than half of what I remember paysummer blends are more expensive and, guess ing only a few weeks earlier. Then, the panic when they go into effect? May 1st. That means set in. Had I gone through some type of time when landscape companies are going full steam warp? Did my Toyota Highlander get blasted ahead, that “steam” is costing a premium. Winter by 1.21 gigawatts of electricity? I’d grab the blends go into effect in September-October and next patron by the jacket collar and scream, just catches the tail end of the landscape season. “what year is it?” They’d look confused and Those consumption numbers are declining. scared, “WHAT YEAR IS IT!! ANSWER It seems that we drive everywhere, but fuel effiME! I’d run into the store and grab a cient automobiles and an aging population have newspaper to check the date. I’d collapse to lowered domestic consumption. In the 1980s, my knees hoarsely screaming, “WHAT IS the average American family spent 5% of its HAPPENING? WHAT IS HAPPENING?” I’d household income on fuel. Even during the peak do this until the cops arrived. pricing of 2012, that number only was at 4% and In 2014, the bottom fell out of gas prices. will continue to drop.

Retail gas prices shrunk to their lowest levels These primary factors drive costs up and since 2008. During the previous seven year down. The question for the landscape industry is stretch, gas prices yo-yoed but stayed above how long will cheap gas prices last? That is a challenging ques$2.75 per gallon. The highest retail average occurred in 2012 tion to answer and requires some historical perspective. when Illinois reached $4.32 a gallon.

Everyone is nostalgic about low gas prices. I used to drive a When gas prices spike, we lose our minds. Americans treat Pontiac Firebird that burned gas like a Kuwaiti oil fire. I could high gas prices how our ancient ancestors must have looked have sworn gas was $1 a gallon when I was rolling in my ’87 at famine or a solar eclipse. We all panic, we act like we have Firebird blasting Def Leppard. Every chart that I’ve looked at no idea how this happened, we start thinking it’s the end of shows that is not possible. It was likely about $1.60 per gallon. days, we latch on to miracle cures, profiteers abound, and we all assume life will never return to normal. Then, life returns to Everyone remembers their first car, then misremembers how cool they actually looked in that car and how cheap gas was at normal and we go back to our old habits of buying decommisthe time. It’s part of being an American. sioned military vehicles that get 6 MPG. Gas prices, before this recent volatility, inevitably rise. They The landscape industry consumes a tremendous amount of sometimes rise slowly and sometimes dramatically. I look back at fuel. Even slight fluctuations in gas prices can eat into razor historical charts from the 1920s or the 1950s and gas was less than thin profits. Landscape contractors drive big trucks, push big 50 cents a gallon. Yet, when you adjust those charts for inflation, mowers, and carry big equipment. Most contractors, during the gas prices have actually been falling for the past 100 years. This spikes, ate the cost. The courageous ones passed it along to the has two notable exceptions: the gas crisis of the late 1970s and the client. Those were especially difficult times as everyone was last 10 years. In fact, in terms of inflation, a gallon of gas in 1918 grappling with the recession. cost $3.67 per gallon. No wonder people rode horses.

Gas prices are as basic a lesson on supply and demand as Rising gas prices seem to cause consumers more heartburn you can get. Higher demand than supply means higher prices. than rises in other commodities. Yes, $3.67 is a lot of money Higher supply than demand means lower prices. Yet, why are we seeing such a significant decrease now? A very simple sup- for a gallon of gas, but let’s get real. Consumers will plunk down $2.50 for a Monster Energy Drink or pumpkin spiced ply and demand explanation gets a lot more complicated. latte and those don’t require anyone to drill it, refine it, ship For starters, the United States has been on a production it, and pump it. Gasoline gets the bad press because its price boom. New drilling in the Gulf, Alaska, and Canada have seems to rise indiscriminately and without warning. In addition, ramped up domestic production thus lowering the need for The Landscape Contractor 5 January 2016

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we consume more of it.

The low gas prices Americans have enjoyed in 2015 saved the average family about $750. Businesses are where gas price fluctuations are felt the most. Companies where gasoline is a primary expense, can see profit margins shift dramatically during times of extreme volatility. The question on every businesses mind, is what can we expect next?

This is an inexact science, like playing craps in an alley is an inexact science. Oil companies are not public utilities. They want profit, but will not give up market share to chase it. As with any private business that sees a drop in demand, you either lower production to inflate price or keep the price and retain market share. Oil companies, for now, have chosen the latter.

Many economists predicted gas would surge this fall and the opposite has occurred. Instead of oil rebounding to $80 per barrel, the late summer saw plunges to lows of less than $40. OPEC is signaling a “correction” in the next 18-24 months. Corrections may sound wonderful, but they are only good for OPEC and bad for consumers. A correction means that the fulcrum of supply and demand will tip the other way. Prices will rise and someone reading this article in January 2018 will throw this magazine against the wall knowing someone complained about $2 gasoline.

Landscape companies likely did not enjoy gasoline savings as much as the family of four who netted $750 this year.

Most of that savings was eaten up by increased labor costs and additional overtime brought on by weather delays and a decreased labor force. The difficulty will be in 2-3 years when oil rebalances and fuel prices go up. Landscape companies have a very narrow window to consider their options.

Those options include more fuel efficient vehicles and equipment, adjusting prices, or passing along a fuel surcharge to customers. My advice is that all three of these should happen. Landscape prices will need to go up in the next 36 months based on the increases in fuel and labor costs. Many landscape companies didn’t add fuel surcharges in 2009 for the same reason OPEC didn’t slow production - to retain market share.

Conventional wisdom would say now is the time to recover the lost profit from the past five years and insulate against the inevitable rise in oil prices. Market share will not be an issue in a post-recession growth cycle. Landscape companies should adjust pricing in the next 36 months so any increases don’t come with sticker shock. Remember, those clients are fat and happy with $2 gas too. Make no mistake, this is when state and local governments consider fuel surcharges, as well.

No one screams bloody murder about a 1 cent increase in the gas tax when gas hovers at $1.88.

Landscaping is not about putting plants in the ground. It is about Saudi oil barons worried about the Arab Spring influencing production as a hedge against American fracking and offshore oil drilling. The landscape industry bled alongside their clients for the past seven years and shook their heads as the pump prices topped $4. It is now time to reap the rewards of that patience. This car trip down memory lane can’t last forever.

Scott Grams December 21, 2015 The Landscape Contractor January 2016

President’s Message Ahhh January.

President

Rusty Maulding Nature’s View (815) 592-7582 rusty@naturesview.info

Vice-President

Mike Schmechtig Schmechtig Landscape Company (847) 566-1233 mschmechtig@schmechtiglandscapes.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Lisa Fiore Kositzki Don Fiore Company, Inc. (847) 234-0020 lfiore@donfiore.com

Immediate Past President Kevin Vancina Vancina Landscaping, Inc. (815) 726-2300 kvancina@sbcglobal.net

Directors

Mark Breier National Seed Co. (630) 963-8787 mark.breier@natseed.com Lisa Fiore Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply (847) 913-1414 lisa@cjfiore.com Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net Kevin Manning K & D Entreprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com

That month of the year when everyone asks what a landscape professional does. There are no lawns to mow, no perennials to plant and likely no patios to install. So what on earth can we possibly be doing?

Taking a week or two off after another seasonally hectic year comes to mind. How about cleaning? You know there’s an inch of dust on your desk and grime all over your computer. That has to be cleaned before we start another year or the season just won’t go well. Then there’s always filing — although nowadays, most filing is done on that computer you just cleaned. Maybe it will snow so we have something to do and invoice.

We’ve run so hard for so long that all most of us want to do is decompress and get to all the stuff that we didn’t make time for earlier. January can be a great time to do that. But January is finite. It is very easy to let it get away from us and not accomplish anything of substance.

Continuing a disciplined approach to January can make all the difference in your preparation for the next season.

Let me suggest that in whatever sphere you are in, you can create goals and an action plan of things that you want to achieve this month and year. It is critically important to write them down and break them down into pieces that are measurable and achievable with resources you have at your disposal. There are lots of ways to complicate this process. But if you are just starting out, keep it simple. Make them something you are driven to achieve and check back on your progress at regular intervals. Use that check in time to evaluate progress and check off what has been completed. Don’t let anymore of January get away. Start on them now!

At ILCA, we will be holding our annual Board strategic planning retreat next month in preparation for our next fiscal year which starts July 1. We employ much of the same type of discipline I just described. In addition, we’ve surveyed the membership and sat down with all our Committee Chairs to gather information on what’s important, what are we doing well, and what we need to improve upon.

One key difference is that instead of looking at only next year, we will be looking at the next three years. At the organizational level, we felt this is more beneficial because some goals cannot possibly be completed in a single year. It will give us better continuity as we strive to address some of the thornier issues that surround us.

However, we will still have well defined action plans for 2016-2017 that we check in on at every Board meeting. The very simple three step process of setting goals, creating an action plan and routinely checking on progress has worked extremely well in order to get strategic goals accomplished.

So, as you travel through the rest of January, just remember, time is of the essence. You need to get a great jump on your goals this month because you will be out of the office several days in February at iLandscape!

Rusty Maulding December 18, 2015

Maureen Scheitz Acres Group (847) 526-4554 maureen.scheitz@acresgroup.com Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

www.ilca.net

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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James Martin Associates, Inc. • Lush Elegance Vernon Hills

Since the front

property line was 16 feet from the street, the design team had to work closely with the village forester to make sure that trees in the parkway were properly protected and maintained during construction. The design team created a bluestone faux porch flanking both sides of an arched entry step. To help create a vertical definition of the space and relate the space to the house design, our design team used cast stone columns. A boxwood hedge and a stone curbing between the columns creates a lovely semi-private space. Bluestone carries from the floor of the faux porch into the entry walk which leads to a decorative concrete paver guest area. Graceful arcs of boxwood, hydrangea and annual flowers sweep from the house out to the street.

Another challenge in the backyard was to create outdoor rooms that would not impact the existing mature oaks, but allowed proper drainage to the detention area located in the sideyard of the property. The design team worked with a

professional arborist who monitored the health of the existing trees as well as selectively pruned the canopies ensuring that the shady respite would endure. The hardscape areas were kept close to the house by creating a series of rooms linked by a linear walk that ran the length of the house. On axis with the living space, is a border of arborvitae which creates the privacy the homeowners wanted. The existing site did offer just enough grade change to allow a recessed patio space. Valder stone was used for the curbing, which creates the raised boxwood bed, and allows a graceful transition for the steps into the patio. By keeping the hardscape near the house a long narrow backyard allowed for yard space for the children to use for sports. Along the perimeter of the property, the design team created arcing bedlines that allows for a generous lawn space and still permitted enough bed space to contain the privacy plantings. The design team created sweeping drifts of annual flowers and astilbles to enhance the arcing flow of the bedlines.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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ILCA Awards & Honors

ILCA’s 2015 Person of the Year Christy Webber

by Patrice Peltier

ILCA’s Person

of “She loves what she does— the Year likes to say she’s just a all aspects of it. That’s part of hick from Montrose, Michigan. why she’s had such a big impact Nobody who knows Christy on our industry,” Fiore says.

Webber believes that.

A love of connecting with Sure, she’s never lost her love people is just one of the many of being outdoors. In fact, she’s values this “kid from the counturned the business she started in try” brought to the city. It’s 1988 with one truck and a mower her impetus to create beautiful into a dynamic green industry outdoor spaces—public and complex that includes a full-serprivate—where people can get vice landscaping company, a landtogether. “Landscaping is a way scape supply store, a composting of living your best outdoor life facility and a retail garden center. and sharing it with others in She runs the whole thing—in a your neighborhood and family,” very hands-on way--from the city’s Webber says. It’s also a way of first LEED Platinum building building community—another Webber built in a green-industry value that Webber has retained oasis she created on former brownfrom her rural upbringing. fields on the city’s West side.

Webber invests in the comAlong the way, she’s racked munity around her headquarters up accounts like installation and by hiring people in the neighbormaintenance of Millennium Park, hood whenever possible. “The the United Center maintenance and most recently installation communities around us need more stability and jobs are an along The 606. She’s had the ear of two Chicago mayors, all important part of that,” explains Roger Post, chief finanthe while also creating unique urban residential landscapes cial officer of Christy Webber Landscapes. Post has known and working on improving the landscapes in several of the Webber since the early days when he was the neighbor who city’s most blighted neighborhoods. let Webber park her truck in his backyard.

“She’s such a unique personality,” says ILCA Executive The company works with a variety of community orgaDirector Scott Grams. “She’ll get off the phone with the nizations in hiring people who may not have high school mayor’s office and the next minute she’s talking to one of her diplomas, a strong command of the English language or a entry-level employees about how their family is doing. pristine rap sheet. The company offers mentoring, English“She’s never too big for any job,” Grams continues. When as-a-second-language classes and other kinds of support. “We Christy Webber Landscapes hosted ILCA’s Summer Field may have to spend time helping some employees learn how Day, Grams recalls Webber moving from leading tours to to go to work. They haven’t grown up in households where rolling up hoses and emptying the garbage. “She never fora parent goes to work every day,” Post explains. “We help gets her upbringing.” them cross that bridge.”

In fact, ILCA Director Lisa Fiore recalls that when she “It hasn’t always been easy,” Webber says. People with and her cousin David were establishing the Fiore Nursery addiction problems or criminal records can have insurmountand Landscape Supply operation in Webber’s urban Rancho able problems. “But you have successes that just blow you Verde complex, Fiore often saw Webber doing maintenance away, and when that happens, you’re not just changing one chores there. “I can’t tell you how many Sundays she was man’s life. You’re changing 25 other lives in the process.” there cutting the grass or running the big equipment,” Fiore Equal opportunity is another value Webber continues to recalls. act on. “I have been given a lot of opportunities here that I 10 The Landscape Contractor January 2016

WEBBER might not have been given elsewhere,” says Kelly Bolger, when a decision was made to invite labor representatives vice president of business development. Bolger joined to help hammer out a solution, Grams says, “I needed to Christy Webber Landscapes eight years ago as an account involve someone on our side with a No Fear approach. Of manager for landscape maintenance. course, the first person who came to mind was Christy.”

“Christy is a really good mentor,” Bolger says. “She Guided by Webber and her CFO, Roger Post, the landlooks out for women within the organization—and the scape industry was able to win an exemption from prevailindustry. She tries to make things fair. She wants to be sure ing wage requirements—the only trade in the state to do so. women don’t get left behind.”

“If I’d sat there in my suit and tie, I would have gotten Webber also looks out for another significant player steam rolled,” Grams admits. “Christy is a very likeable in the industry—Latinos, according to Bernie Carranza, person. At the end of the day, people like doing things for CWL’s former Vice President of Operations. Carranza, who Christy,” Grams says of her negotiating skills. “Everybody joined the company in 2000 as a laborer. Carranza, now walked away proud of the job they’d done,” Grams continoperations manager for Premier Landscapes, says, “Christy ues. “Christy did work that resonated across the city and the gives genuine opportunities to people. She gave me the state.” opportunity to grow.”

“Christy’s passion—for her business and for the indusCarranza was impressed with Webber’s willingness to try—is palpable,” Post says. She is always looking for ways understand the Latino culture, even visiting employees’ vilto enhance the way others see the industry—and how the lages in Mexico over the winter. She works hard to underindustry sees itself. And she’s always looking for the next stand what motivates Latino employees, and she also speaks trend, the next way for landscaping to enhance people’s plainly to them about what it takes to succeed in America, lives, Post and Bolger agree.

Carranza says.

Webber is also passionate about the home she’s creWebber also supports her employees who are interested ated with partner Jennie Rule and their sons, Oliver, 7, and in participating in ILCA. ILCA President Rusty Maulding Teddy, 5. And she said she’s proud and honored to be was working for Webber when he expressed an interest in named ILCA’s Person of the Year. She was so surprised by giving back to the industry by becoming involved in ILCA. the news, she cried when Maulding told her. “There’s no Webber nominated Maulding (and Carranza) for ILCA’s way I thought that’s why he was calling me,” Webber says.

Leadership Council. “That put me on the path I’m on now,” “Christy has truly been a champion of our industry. She Maulding says. “She’s very passionate about the industry, has done a remarkable job of keeping ILCA in front of the and she likes to help her employees run with their paspowers that be,” Fiore says. “She’s been extremely generous sions.” and helped a lot of us grow. She’s opened a lot of doors and Standing up for what’s right is another one of Webber’s paved the way for many women in our industry.” values. “When she notices things that are unfair, she’s “Her belief in what she does and what the industry does going to fight,” Grams notes. propels her,” Maulding says. “We’re very lucky to have her Hiring only documented workers, paying fair wages in our industry.” and stressing integrity in business are practices Webber thinks are essential to elevating the industry’s image. “I See and Hear What Christy Really Thinks... want people to realize what we do is pretty damn special,” Webber says. “I want everybody to think like that and pay us like that, and they’re not going to until we legitimize our Plan to attend the 2016 ILCA Excellence in Landscape practices.”

Awards Night at iLandscape. The program is Thursday, The prevailing wage issue has long been a thorn in February 4, 2016 and will highlight all the awards landscape contractors’ sides, putting many at an unfair disfrom 2015. advantage. Webber “took one for the team” by suing the Department of Labor over the issue, losing that round. But, The Landscape Contractor 11 January 2016

ILCA Awards & Honors

ILCA Selects— The Care of Trees/ A Davey Company for 2015 Distinguished Service Award

by Patrice Peltier

The Care of Trees,

a subsidiary of The Davey Tree Expert Co., can now count one more honor recognizing the residential/commercial tree service firm: the ILCA Distinguished Service Award. The clientfocused tree preservation enterprise has brought the same level of commitment that it expresses to customers, to the industry organization with which it has a long-time affiliation.

Founded in 1964 as a partnership between John and Bob Hendricksen, and originally named Hendricksen Tree Experts, the business later merged with Archibald Enoch Price The Care of Trees owned

by Larry Hall. A name change ensued, and eventually the business became a subsidiary of Ohio-based Davey Tree.

Specializing in environmentally sustaining tree care, The Care of Trees serves both residential and commercial clients.

The Wheeling, Ill., company has not only been in business for an impressive length of time, but has also maintained membership in the ILCA for a remarkable number of years, having joined the association in 1978. Over the years, The Care of Trees has maintained an inspiring level of involvement in the group, distinguished in particular by one measure: leadership.

“They are one of only three companies to ever have two ILCA presidents,” relates ILCA Executive Director Scott 12

Grams. “The highest level of service you can offer is to become president,” he says, adding, “The buck stops here.”

In his administrative position with the association, Grams has had the opportunity to work first hand with the most recent of the presidents hailing from The Care of Trees: Charlie Keppel.

Good value An arborist with the company, Keppel served as ILCA president in 2012-13, presiding during what Grams calls “some very difficult times,” when the organization “felt the brunt of” the Recession. Despite the challenges of The Landscape Contractor January 2016

the period, Grams points out that the ILCA had a profitable year under Keppel’s leadership, which saw the elimination of the MidAm trade show and the rise of the iLandscape program.

“The organization provided good value and services during his tenure,” Grams says.

Aside from Keppel’s service as president of the group, he has been involved in board activities for several years, including chairing the Professional Oversight Committee. He is also recognized for his participation in educational initiatives: Keppel has not only facilitated Design Tour programming, but runs the association’s annual pruning class.

Indeed, according to Keppel a thrust of his company’s involvement in ILCA is educational – a dimension certainly in line with the passion he displays for his profession. “Our drive is educating people in the green industry to exercise proper tree care,” he says, expressing concern about the prospect of, for example seeing a good tree or shrub planted in the wrong place.

According to Michael Schmechtig, president of Schmechtig Landscape Co., Mundelein, Ill., whose company has been working with The Care of Trees since 1987, a benefit of the professional relationship he’s had with the “one-stop arborist shop,” is the opportunity to learn through collaboration.

“Our staff and myself have spent most of our time working with Charlie Keppel,” relates Schmechtig, who calls Keppel “a wealth of information.

“What I like about Charlie is his willingness to share information and to listen,” elaborates Schmechtig, Charlie Keppel who believes that both businesses “share a lot of the same company values. He always has the clients’ best interest in mind,” observes Schmechtig. “I have learned a lot from him not only about plant health care but about employee management and training practices.”

Educational opportunities, in fact, initially attracted John Hendricksen to the association, for which he would serve as president in the late 1980s. “I think it probably started with attending a financial workshop,” recalls the company founder, who got into the business because he enjoyed working outdoors and “doing something environmentally involved.” Hendricksen relates that he would become involved with industry issues through the organization – as well as make friendships. “A lot of wonderful people are members,” he says, “and I am friends with many of them.”

Meeting peers Keppel regards ILCA as a medium for learning and information exchange.

“It’s a really neat forum to discuss how to develop people,” he declares.

“I’ve both together we can solve mentored some of the issues we others and face.” have been While Grams mentored observes that, “The Care by others.” of Trees realized that He values there is so much knowlthe role the edge to be gained from associainteracting with other tion plays companies,” he believes in keeping that the company’s conmembers tributions to the organiJohn Hendricksen up-to-speed zation reflect “a selfless on industry requirements. “The other big form of giving.” He cites as an example advantage is becoming acquainted with the company’s support of such events as cutting-edge processes and with industry Summer Field Day and the annual golf regulations,” he says. outing. “They are always a reliable spon“What landscape contractors should sor,” says Grams. realize,” Hendricksen says of ILCA And, the company’s stature in the participation, “is the value in meetfield — particularly relationships that ing your peers, and finding that other Keppel had cultivated with other notfolks are willing to share information.” for-profit organizations, is credited And though his active involvement in with forging partnerships to launch the the business he led has diminished, his ILCA’s “Cash for Ash” urban tree resinterest in the profession remains — he toration initiative. “Without Charlie’s serves, for instance, on the board of the help,” reflects Grams, “it would have Santa Fe Botanical Garden — as does never gotten done.” his enthusiasm for ILCA. “I encourage Articulating that, in his estimation, people to become members, avail themthe company is not merely looking for selves of educational opportunities and, payback from its generosity of resources, on a personal level, become acquainted Grams remarks, “The Care of Trees with other members.” has always been giving to others in the Hendricksen acknowledges that industry. That culture seems to be very membership in the organization, which ingrained in what they do,” he observes. he recognizes for its efforts to promote “They believe in the ILCA mission,” he the profession and elevate its image proclaims, “end of story, period.” among the public, carries “some selfinterest. ILCA takes a leadership role in promoting the interest of landscape contractors,” he says. “The association joins people with common interest, and The Landscape Contractor January 2016

13

ILCA Honors Scholarship Winners

Congratulations Scholarship Winners!

Alex Kelly Normal, IL

Kenneth Fiantago Jr. McHenry, IL

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Schroeder Family Foundation Scholarship R.A. Schroeder Family

Elizabeth Fraley Carbondale, IL

Whitney Kwok Chicago, IL

$5,000 Scholarship Southern Illinois University

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Rosborough Partners Scholarship Rosborough Partners, Inc.

$2,500 Scholarship Ray and Bernadette Oltman Scholarship GRO Horticultural Enterprises, Inc.

The Illinois Landscape Contractors Education and Charitable Organization (ILCECO) was established to create a perpetual fund for ILCA’s annual scholarships. The ILCECO mission statement is “To promote higher education in horticulture and green industry-related courses by funding an endowment.”

Each year, the ILCECO Board of directors determines the number of scholarships and amounts awarded out of the fund that was established.

2016 Scholarship Applications Available Now www.ilca.net 14

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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Focus: Hort Education

The Status of Education Programs within the Industry

by Meta Levin

A lot of green

industry education is done, or at least begun, at the community college level. “Our training prepares students for working,” says Judy Burgholzer, professor and coordinator in the College of DuPage’s horticulture program.

Programs, such as the one in which Burgholzer works, often serve as conduits for four year baccalaureate degree curriculum at colleges and universities. “We’re interested in getting the best and the brightest, in students who have strong horticulture backgrounds,” says Bill Sullivan, who heads the landscape architecture program at the University of Illinois.

Most horticulture education in Illinois is centered on the community college, says Sullivan, so landscape architecture departments at the university level often recruit from the two year programs.

Relatively few community college horticulture students, however, are planning to matriculate in a baccalaureate program, says Burgholzer. Often they already are working and want to get more information to better do their jobs or prepare them-

16

selves for other work. The College of DuPage, for instance, offers an AAS degree in horticulture, in addition to certificates in horticulture, floral shop management, nursery and garden center management, greenhouse management, landscape design and construction, sustainable landscapes and landscape and turf maintenance.

Enrollment at the community college horticulture and undergraduate landscape architecture programs is not growing, however. “We need to make people aware of the many job openings there are in the industry,” says Burgholzer. This, despite the fact that there are many young people who are passionate about taking care of the environment.

There are, says Brian Clement, an instructor and advisor in the program, huge needs in the industry.

To help combat this, Burgholzer serves on ILCA’s new FLIP committee, which is designed to promote landscape jobs and careers with young people. “In order to grow the green industry, (continued on page 18)

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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She also believes that if landscape contractors want their employees to be educated, they need to offer better wages “to make it a better and more lucrative career.” This is, she says, even more important for those who are in the process of changing careers. The green industry “has a strong future, as long as the industry does its part, providing decent salaries and benefits,” says Burgholzer.

Enrollment in landscape architecture programs is down nationally, says Sullivan. “That is going to create a shortage, which will be reflected in starting salaries.”

Sullivan touts an undergraduate landscape architecture degree as preparation for any number of other related and unrelated careers. “You learn strategies for innovation and creativity,” he says. “With the rapid changes in the workplace, people who have the capacity to be creative and innovative are going to be in demand.”

The Landscape Architecture school recently was named number three in the nation by collegefactual.com.

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Focus: Hort Education (continued from page 18) from around the world is a huge advantage. “This is happening at a time and place when everything is becoming more global,” says Sullivan. “It’s an enriching experience.”

That is reinforced by opportunities for study abroad. “We have built partnerships with some of the best universities around the world,” he says.

Sullivan works hard to maintain relationships with alumni, who are working in some of the top landscape architecture and design/build firms in the country. This is one of the best ways to keep the curriculum up to date and relevant, he says.

Similarly, community colleges, such as the College of DuPage, have advisory panels composed of those in the industry, who let them know what is in demand.

In fact, based on such recommendations, the College recently added about 15 new classes, including two proposed new AAS degrees in landscape contracting and management, as well as sustainable urban agriculture (there also will be a certificate

in this field), says Clement.

Burgholzer and Clement are the only two full time staff in the department.

Others teaching there are working the field, another way that the program tries to stay up-to-date with industry needs.

Clement also serves on the iLandscape education committee and was one of those who worked to restructure the student session so as to give them opportunities to talk in a more casual atmosphere with industry professionals.

The College of DuPage has reached out in other ways. For the past year, Brian notes, that they have provided training and consulting for the ground crews at the University of Illinois-Chicago, working with them on snow control techniques, as well as landscape maintenance. They also are providing staff training for a local landscape contractor.

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Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations

Athyriums’ Delicate Looks

By Patrice Peltier

Lady Ferns and Japanese Painted Ferns

Don’t be fooled

by the formed admirably given the less than pared to the cultivars,” Hawke notes. delicate, feathery texture of lady ferns ideal circumstances where they were “The uniqueness of each Japanese and Japanese painted ferns (Athyrium grown,” he writes. painted fern cultivar was often indisspp.), says Richard Hawke, plant evalucernible at a glance,” he continues. ation manager and associate scientist Japanese Painted Ferns “Planting the cultivars side-by-side at Chicago Botanic Garden. “These are Although the trial included nine culhelped to distinguish the sometimes durable and hardy garden plants,” he tivars of Japanese painted fern (Athyrium subtle foliar differences. notes. “With few exceptions, these reliniponicum var. pictum) plus A. niponiAthyrium niponicum var. pictum was able and long-lived ferns are well-suited cum ‘Pictum Red’, it’s interesting to note named Perennial Plant of the Year in to a variety of gardens and landscapes.” that the species held its own compared 2004. It was rated 5 stars in the Chicago Hawke should know. From Botanic Garden trial.

2002 to 2014, he evaluated 26 Here’s what Hawke observed taxa of Athyrium, members of about the 5-Star Japanese painted the wood fern family. A majority fern cultivars. of the plants received an “excel‘Apple Court,’ like the spelent” or “good” rating. In fact, the cies, has silvery, sage-green and quickest way to review the findpurple coloration with tasseled ings is to look at the small numand forked frond tips and crested ber of “losers.” (See sidebar on leaflets. By late July, the fronds page 22.) The rest of the plants in turned greener while the midribs the trial received a big thumbs up remained purple. for planting.

‘Pewter Lace’ has fronds that “In general, the lady ferns and emerged purple, aging to silverJapanese painted ferns exhibited green with purple midribs and superior foliage quality and habit purple highlights along the lower traits,” according to Hawke’s portion of the leaflets.

Plant Evaluation Notes. With ‘Regal Red’ has light, sagefew exceptions, the plants were green fronds with a red-purple growing robustly by the second zone along the purple mid-rib. or third year, and the quality of “The contrast between the redtheir foliage was “exceptional” purple at the center of the frond as long as the plants received and the silvery outer region was adequate soil moisture and approstriking,” Hawke notes. priate light, according to Hawke.

In fact, even when a larger river Lady Ferns birch that shaded much of the The species, Athyrium filixAthyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Apple Court’ trial plot fell in 2006, most of the ferns femina, earned 5 stars in the trial, as performed surprisingly well. to the cultivars. “The three plants of the did two of its cultivars. The species “While planting these ferns in a sunny species were variable in their foliage has bright green leaves with a feathery location is not recommended, most percolor but were especially colorful comappearance that comes from the (continued on page 24) 22

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Are Deceiving

Athyrium ‘Branford Beauty’

Athyrium filix-femina

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Burgundy Lace’

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ‘Red Beauty’

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

23

Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations (continued from page 22) three-part (tripinnate) division of its fronds. “The clump-forming habit of lady fern resembled a shuttlecock with graceful, upright fronds arising from a short, vertical rhizome,” Hawke writes.

The plants were slow to establish in the first year but were growing vigorously the second summer. Hawke notes that although the species was occasionally stressed by heat and drought in midsummer, it showed good heat resistance during an especially hot, dry period in 2007. ’Encourage,’ a selection of another cultivar, ‘Vernoniae Cristatum,’ was one of the top-performers in the trial, Hawke says. All the leaflets are tasseled at the tips, giving the plant a frilly look.

Although the plant was slow to develop the first summer, it had a robust, vaseshaped habit by the second year and was densely robust by year four.

‘Victoriae’ originated in England in the Victorian era. The plant has slender green leaflets that crisscross along the midrib and nodding, fan-shaped tips.

The plant had a robust, vase-shaped habit with upright, arching stems every year beginning in its third summer.

Western Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina ssp. cyclosorum grew to be one of the largest ferns — 36 inches tall and 39 inches wide — by its third year in the trial. Western lady fern has large green fronds that tapered at both ends. The plant received afternoon sun in the trial garden and had minor scorch in midsummer during droughty periods. “Given that western lady fern grows naturally in wet, shady habitats where it can get up to six feet tall, the plants in our trial performed admirably well under less than ideal conditions,” Hawke wrote.

Hybrids All three lady fern-Japanese painted fern hybrids in the evaluation received 5-star ratings.

Athyrium ‘Branford Beauty’ has an upright habit and fine-textured leaves (continued on page 26) 24

Observed plant traits and performance Overall Rating1                          

Athyrium Observed plant traits and pe A. ‘Branford Beauty’ A. ‘Branford Rambler’ Overall 1 Athyrium Rating A. ‘Ghost’  A. ‘Branford Beauty’ A. ‘Ocean’s Fury’  A. ‘Branford Rambler’  A. ‘Ghost’ A. filix-femina  A. ‘Ocean’s Fury’ A. filix-femina ‘Dre’s Dagger’ A. filix-femina A. filix-femina ‘Encourage’ A. filix-femina ‘Dre’s Dagger’ A. filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’ A. filix-femina ‘Encourage’  A. filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’ A. filix-femina ‘Plumosum Axminster’ A. filix-femina ‘Plumosum Axmin A. filix-femina ‘Vernoniae Cristat A. filix-femina ‘Vernoniae Cristatum’  filix-femina ‘Victoriae’ A. filix-femina ‘Victoriae’ A. A. filix-femina ssp. cyclosorum A. filix-femina ssp. cyclosorum A. niponicum ‘Pictum Red’  A. niponicum ‘Pictum Red’ A. niponicum var. pictum  A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Apple A. niponicum var. pictum A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Burgun   A. niponicum A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Apple Court’var. pictum ‘Pewter  A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Red Be A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Burgundy Lace’  A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Regal R A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Pewter Lace’var. pictum ‘Silver F  A. niponicum  A. niponicum A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Red Beauty’var. pictum ‘Soul M  A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Ursula’ A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Regal Red’ var. pictum ‘Wildw  A. niponicum  pictum ‘Silver A. otophorum A. niponicum var.

Falls’  A. vidalii A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Soul Mate’  Deparia acrostichoides (syn. A. th A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Ursula’s Red’ A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Wildwood Twist’silvery 1 Overall Ratings: A. otophorum  excellent,  good, A. vidalii  fair, Deparia acrostichoides  poor, (syn. A. thelypteroides)  very poor

Overall Ratings:  excellent,  good,  fair,  poor,  very poor 1

Light Exposure: The Landscape Contractor January 2016  full shade; 2

Light Exposure:  full shade;  mid-afternoon sun;  morning sun, afternoon shade 2

ratings Foliage Color light silvery green, purple bright green, purple silvery green, purple light yellow-green, bronze bright green bright green light green green lime-green bright green green green silvery green, green, purple silvery green, dark red silvery green to green, purple purple, silvery green bright silvery green, purple silvery green, purple silvery green, purple bright silvery green, purple silvery green, purple silvery green, green, purple green, purple gray-green, burgundy green-yellow green

Growth Form clumping spreading clumping clumping clumping clumping clumping clumping clumping clumping clumping clumping spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading clumping spreading clumping

Height 18 in.

25 in.

30 in.

37 in.

33 in.

20 in.

22 in.

10 in.

29 in.

24 in.

25 in.

36 in.

20 in.

19 in.

24 in.

15 in.

18 in.

16 in.

16 in.

16 in.

11 in.

18 in.

20 in.

10 in.

12 in.

20 in.

Width 40 in.

40 in.

36 in.

40 in.

44 in.

36 in.

40 in.

22 in.

50 in.

44 in.

36 in.

39 in.

32 in.

32 in.

36 in.

27 in.

30 in.

32 in.

24 in.

28 in.

14 in.

30 in.

30 in.

22 in.

22 in.

34 in.

Trial Years 2002-2014 2002-2014 2002-2014 2007-2014 2003-2014 2005-2014 2004-2014 2003-2014 2007-2014 2003-2014 2003-2014 2008-2014 2002-2014 2002-2014 2004-2014 2003-2014 2005-2014 2005-2014 2008-2014 2002-2014 2004-2014 2002-2014 2002-2014 2004-2009 2010-2014 2008-2014

Light Exposure2                          

Athyrium filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’ The Landscape Contractor January 2016

25

Garden Speak — Practical Plant Evaluations (continued from page 24) like lady fern with colorful, arching and curved fronds like Japanese painted fern. “‘Branford Beauty’ was more uniformly silver-green than other cultivars,” Hawke says. “Early purple highlights faded quickly, and the leaves were a bit darker green along the purple rachis (mid rib) as they aged.”

A. ‘Branford Rambler’ has the spreading habit of Japanese painted fern with lady fern’s green foliage. Its bright green leaves had a purple mid rib and purple venation in the lower leaflets. “In August, lush growth created a two-tiered effect as erect new fronds stood above the horizontal older fronds,” Hawke noted.

A. ‘Ghost’ takes its strong, upright, vase-shaped habit from lady fern and its silvery foliage from Japanese painted fern. Fiddleheads emerged purple, but only the mid ribs and some veins remained purple as the fronds unfurled.

‘Ghost’ was slower to emerge in spring than Japanese painted ferns, Hawke observed. It was also generally not as affected by heat or drought as other ferns in the trial.

Athyrium ‘Branford Rambler’ 26

Silvery Glade Fern Athyrium thelypteroides (now called Deparia acrostichoides) is native to eastern North America. Its common name, silvery glade fern, comes from the silvery sori (clusters of spore capsules) on the undersides of its leaves. The plant, which has upright fronds, is similar in appearance to lady fern. “The three plants struggled after planting in 2008, but by the second summer had grown into robust, vase-shaped plants with finetextured green foliage,” Hawke reports.

“Japanese painted ferns and lady ferns are elegant plants for shady places. Their feathery fronds provide texture in a variety of colors to contrast and complement other perennials,” Hawke concludes.

“Providing what they need to grow— moist, well-drained soils in partial to full shade—ensures they stay healthy and ornamental all summer.”

For the full report, “A Comparative Study of Lady Ferns and Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium spp.),” go to http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/ ornamental_plant_research/plant_evaluation.

The “losers” To call these five taxa “losers” isn’t really fair. Only one, A. otophorum, received a “poor” rating, and that taxa would likely have performed much better had it not lost the protection of a shade tree during the trial, says Plant Evaluation Manager and Associate Scientist Richard Hawke. Four others were rated as “fair” due to heat-and drought-stressed foliage, winter losses, and/or weak growth.

Deparia acrostichoides The Landscape Contractor January 2016

This group includes: • A. filix-femina ‘Plumosum Axminster’ • A. filix-femina ‘Vernoniae Cristatum’ • A. niponicum var. pictum ‘Soul Mate’ • A. otophorum • A. vidalii

WELCOME

iLANDSCAPE: THE ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN LANDSCAPE SHOW IT’S SHOWTIME! • FEBRUARY 3-5, 2016 Places everyone! iLandscape is the final dress rehearsal before the landscape season begins. It’s where the stars of the landscape industry come together. It’s three days of information, inspiration, and innovation.

Thousands of landscape professionals have made the first two iLandscape: the Illinois + Wisconsin Landscape Shows smashing success stories! The critics agree - iLandscape is a hit!

The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) and Wisconsin Green Industry Federation (WGIF) are proud to present iLandscape 2016. The show will be hosted at The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel, located in Schaumburg, IL. The 2016 Show will feature more booths, the hottest products, amazing educational speakers, inspirational keynotes, ILCA’s Excellence in Landscape Awards Night, entertainment, and much more.

Visit over 390 booths to see the latest trends in plants, green industry products, hardscapes and equipment. Expert keynotes will illuminate. Rock out to a FREE CONCERT on Wednesday evening. iLandscape gathers the best minds in the green industry as part of its educational program. The event features over 20 unique education sessions.

Exhibitors............................................................................................................30 Spanish-language education sessions are available Wednesday Education....................................................................................33 at no additional cost. Students attend for free!

Wednesday Entertainment & After Hours...............................................35

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Enjoy three days and two nights of unparalleled excitement. Rub elbows with the elite. Be the first to know about incredible new products and services.

At iLandscape 2016 - YOU are the STAR! iLandscape 2016...It’s Showtime!

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Thursday Education.........................................................................................36 Awards Night.....................................................................................................39 Friday Education...............................................................................................40 Student Activities.............................................................................................41 Artists and Musicians......................................................................................42 About Schaumburg.........................................................................................43 The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel..................43 Parking and Directions...................................................................................44 Registration Pricing.........................................................................................44 Registration Form.............................................................................................45

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Friday, February 5, 2016

Exhibit hall hours: 9:00am-4:00pm

Exhibit hall hours: 9:00am-4:00pm

Exhibit hall hours: 9:00am-2:00pm

Keynote: 10:15am

Keynote: 10:15am

Education Sessions 8:30am-10:00am 1:00pm-2:30pm 2:45pm-4:15pm

Education Sessions 8:30am-10:00am 1:00pm-2:30pm 2:45pm-4:15pm

Spanish-language Education 10:00am-12:00pm

Spanish-language Education 10:00am-12:00pm

Raffles and Giveaways: 4:15pm

Raffles and Giveaways: 4:00pm

Wednesday Night Concert and Party 4:30pm-6:30pm

ILCA Excellence in Landscape Awards Night 5:00pm-9:00pm

Shuttles to Granite City Brewery 6:30pm-11:30pm

WGIF Networking Party 5:00pm - ??

28

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Education Sessions 8:30am-10:00am 11:30am-1:00pm

Raffles and Giveaways: 2:00pm

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016 10:15AM

The Landscape of Leadership

Starring: Terri McEnaney, Bailey Nurseries, Anna Ball, Ball Horticulture, and Donna Vignocchi, ILT Vignocchi With special guest star and moderator: Ana Belaval, WGN News The green industry moves at warp speed. This velocity makes innovation and vision more difficult, and also more essential. It is easy to lose oneself in the business, left to wander without a plan or purpose. Effective leaders face the challenges of time management, delegation, and selecting a strategic direction. This esteemed panel will discuss how they manage to maximize the efforts of others towards the achievement of common goals. They will offer advice on how to focus, listen, delegate, and avoid burnout. They will share personality traits they have honed to become more effective leaders. The green industry slows for no man...or woman. Join us for this unforgettable conversation.

Terri McEnaney

Donna Vignocchi

Anna Ball

Moderated by WGN’s Ana Belaval

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016 10:15AM

Houzz & the Empowered Client: How Technology is Transforming Outdoor Renovation Starring: Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Relations, Houzz.com

Technology tools like Houzz enable today’s homeowners to be more informed and more confident about building, remodeling and designing. This new empowered client is taking a novel approach to educating themselves, and to finding and choosing design-build landscape professionals. How can the empowered landscape professional engage these consumers, and also stand out from the crowd? In consultation with its members, ILCA found Houzz to be the single greatest tech platform for driving business. Find out how Houzz is revolutionizing landscape design, installations, and sales.

Houzz.com has become our #2 source for client lead generation.

—Bob Hursthouse, Hursthouse, Inc. It’s the only social media platform with true bottom line results!

—Mike Schmechtig, Schmechtig Landscaping The site is magic! It’s an incredible business-to-client resource.

—John Algozzini, K&D Landscape Design

Liza Hausman

“CAN’T MISS” SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

2016 ILANDSCAPE KEYNOTES

EXHIBITORS

iLandscape continues to expand. The show added space for more exhibitors and is still sold out. The 2016 show will feature almost 400 booths showcasing the hottest products and services for the lawn and landscape industry.

Exhibiting Companies...............BOOTH #

Colorblends Wholesale Flower Bulbs...... 132

Hortech.............................................................. 804

(as of press time)

Conserv FS Inc................................................. 228

Hunter/FX.......................................................... 445

1st Choice Equipment.................................. 510

Contree Sprayer & Equipment................... 248

Husqvarna Group........................................... 812

1st Farm Credit Services............................... 943

Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc..1120

Illinois Green Industry Association.......... 444

ABI Attachments............................................. 125

County Materials Corp.................................. 143

A. Block Marketing, Inc.......................408+414

Curv-Rite, Inc..................................................1127

IL-IN Sea Grant+NIL Invasive Plant Partnership...................................1228

A.D.R. Bulbs, Inc.............................................1128

Dayton Bag & Burlap..................................... 427

Aesthetic Metals............................................. 111

Deere & Company.......................................... 936

Illinois Landscape Contractors Association................................................ 506

Agrecol Native Nursery................................ 310

DeVroomen Garden Products.................... 704

Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc................. 135

Alert Distributing, Inc. .................................. 928

DeWitt Company..........................................1214

Ivanhoe Nursery............................................. 810

Alexander Equipment Co., Inc.................1142

Diga-Talk..........................................................1222

Jwest LLC.........................................................1221

Alliance Designer Products.......................1230

Dimex LLC.......................................................1012

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co........................... 319

ALTA FALLS & Pond Supplies...................... 345

Ditch Witch Midwest..................................... 510

John Holmlund Nursery.............................1239

Arborjet, Inc...................................................... 311

Doty Nurseries................................................. 207

Johnson’s Nursery.......................................... 340

Arlington Power Equipment...................... 420

JRCO, Inc..........................................................1243

Armintrout’s West Michigan Farms.......... 246

Downes Swimming Pool Company, Inc................................1229

Arrowhead Ornamentals...........................1105

Dutchman Tree Spade/DPM....................... 948

Kaknes Landscape Supply........................... 208

Arthur Clesen, Inc........................................... 332

DynaSCAPE Software.................................... 306

Kaneville Tree Farms, Inc............................1011

Arthur Weiler, Inc. Nursery.......................... 448

Easy Pro Pond Products................................ 341

Kankakee Nursery.......................................... 419

Aspen Valley Landscape Supply Inc........ 439

Eby’s Evergreen Plantation, Inc...............1132

Kenney Outdoor Solutions......................... 910

Auto Truck Group........................................... 243

Eco-Roofs, LLC................................................. 232

Keystone Hatcheries...................................... 339

AVANT Tecno USA.........................................1114

Ecoverse............................................................. 206

KO Supply Company, Inc...........................1124

Badger Evergreen Nursery LLC.................. 305

Eden Stone Co., Inc........................................ 904

Kramer Tree Specialists................................. 328

Bailey Nurseries, Inc....................................... 314

Emergent Safety Supply............................1040

Krukowski Stone Co....................................... 905

Ball Horticultural Company........................ 922

Encore Landscape Lighting......................1226

Kuenzi Turf & Nursery................................... 844

B and B Bedding...........................................1107

Ero-Tex-Hanes.................................................. 124

Kuert Concrete .............................................1027

Banner Sales and Consulting, Inc...........1022

Fabriscape, Inc...............................................1227

Lafarge Fox River Stone................................ 920

Beaver Creek Nursery.................................... 320

Feece Oil Company .....................................1004

Lake Street Supply.......................................1218

Belgard............................................................... 336

Fiore Nursery & Landscape Supply........1029

Better Bilt Products, Inc................................ 117

Forrest Keeling Nursery..............................1110

Landscape Material & Firewood Sales, Inc...............................1104

Blue Grass Farms of Indiana........................ 342

Fox Ridge Nursery.......................................... 312

Lemke Stone Inc............................................. 912

Capital Stoneworks......................................1236

Garden Prairie Nursery & Organics.......... 327

Liberty Propane/Hicksgas LLC.........142+140

Cardno Native Plant Nursery...................... 446

Goodmark Nurseries..................................... 405

Lincoln Nurseries, Inc.................................... 227

Carlin Sales/ProGreen Plus.......................... 409

Grand Effects..................................................1044

Longshadow.................................................... 113

Carlton Plants LLC........................................1042

Grasshopper Company..............................1205

LS Training System.......................................1130

Casey Equipment Co..................................... 746

Gravely, an Ariens Co, Brand....................... 214

Lurvey Landscape Supply .......................... 428

Cassidy Tire....................................................... 404

Great Northern Equipment.......................1241

MARIANI PLANTS..........................................1023

CAST Lighting, LLC......................................... 120

Green Glen Nursery, Inc............................... 329

Market Financial Group..............................1140

Cedar Path Nurseries LLC...........................1005

GRO Horticultural Enterprises, Inc............ 330

Martin Implement Sales, Inc....................... 708

Central Sod Farms, Inc,................................. 507

Halloran Power Equipment......................... 136

McGinty Bros., Inc........................................... 906

Central Turf & Irrigation Supply...............1219

Halquist Stone................................................. 229

McKay Nursery Company..........................1024

Cherokee Manufacturing LLC.................... 308

Hayward Distributing Co............................. 846

Michels Stone................................................1006

Chicago Gas Lines........................................1111

Herman Losely & Son, Inc..........................1141

Midwest Arborist Supplies.......................... 121

Chicagoland Grows, Inc............................... 907

Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc................................. 348

Midwest Compost, LLC...............................1231

Clesen Brothers, Inc.....................................1045

Home Nursery, Inc.......................................... 324

Midwest Groundcovers................................ 828

College of Lake County Horticulture.....1220

Homer Industries, LLC................................... 541

Midwestern Solutions................................... 148

30

JULIE, Inc..........................................................1021

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Studebaker Nurseries, Inc............................ 220

Midwest Trading............................................. 820

Reading Rock, Inc........................................... 443

SureFoot Hardscape Products................... 240

Modeco Systems...........................................1139

Red Flint Rock & Stone................................1119

Sure-loc Edging/Wolverine Tools...........1244

National Seed.................................................. 431

Reinders, Inc...................................................1048

The Davey Tree Expert Company.............. 212

Natural Repellents, LLC................................ 346

Rental Max........................................................ 543

The Knapheide Manufacturing Co........... 436

Northern Family Farms................................. 808

Rich’s Foxwillow Pines Nursery, Inc.......... 219

The Mulch Center.........................................1031

Northland Farms LLC..................................... 344

Rochester Concrete Products..................1146

The Tree Connection, Inc............................. 304

Northshore Landscape Products LLC....1046

Rosebay Nursery...........................................1108

Tri-County Stockdale..................................... 423

Nursery Supplies, Inc..................................... 204

Rosetta of Michigan...................................... 114

Triple Crown Products.................................. 128

NYP Corp........................................................... 244

RR Landscape Supply .................................1121

Tuohy Horticultural Enterprises................ 545

Oldcastle Lawn & Garden............................ 321

Russo Power Equipment.............................. 736

Turfmaker Corp............................................... 122

Oly-Ola Edgings, Inc....................................1020

RWC Insurance Group................................... 209

Twixwood Nursery, LLC................................ 236

Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois................................. 909

Sable Marco Inc............................................... 241

Unilock............................................................... 536

Salvador Insurance Agency........................ 146

United Greenhouse Systems, Inc............1123

PACE, Inc............................................. 1036+1136

SavATree..........................................................1109

United Label & Sales..................................... 112

Paver Resources............................................1143

Sester Farms..................................................... 242

U.S. Arbor Products, Inc................................ 223

Perfect Turf........................................................ 239

Sheridan Nurseries......................................... 221

Valley View........................................................ 106

Permaloc Corporation.................................. 908

SiteOne Landscape Supply......................... 144

Vermeer Midwest........................................... 836

Phoenix Irrigation Supply............................ 946

Sod Solutions.................................................1106

Wandell’s Nursery, Inc................................... 211

Pizzo Native Plant Nursery........................1028

Spring Grove Nursery, Inc............................ 224

Wholesale Tree, Inc......................................1112

PMA Outdoor Equipment..........................1030

Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc...................... 210

Willoway Nurseries......................................... 108

Porous Pave...................................................... 343

Staple Ease, Inc................................................ 130

Wilson Nurseries, Inc...................................1014

Power Equipment Distributors.................. 546

St. Aubin Nursery............................................ 104

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.... 119

Prince Corporation......................................... 205

Stockyards Brick Company......................... 137

Wisconsin Green Industry Federation..... 504

ProLine Equipment......................................1209

Stonewall Retaining Walls........................... 442

Xylem Ltd/Rocks Etc...................................... 914

!"#"

!"#"$"

iLandscape

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

ADVENTURE

240

339

340

Surefoot Keystone Hardscape Hatcheries Products

Johnson's Nursery

136

236

336

Losely & Son

GAS

1241

Great Northern Equipment

1040 1139 Emergent Modeco Safety Supply Systems

1140

1036

1136

Pace

Pace

Market 1239 John Financial Holmlund Nursery Group

EXIT Sure-Loc 1244

Edging Wolverine Tools

Midwest Groundcovers

Bag & Burlap

328 Kramer Tree Specialists

119 Wisconsin Dept Agric.

120

Sheridan Nurseries

Studebaker Nurseries

er ak

rfm Tu

CAST Lighting

Spring Grove Nursery

219Rich's

Fox WIllow Pines Nursery

321

Old Castle Lawn & Garden

J.Frank 319

Schmidt & Son

423

320

419

1236 Capital

Stoneworks of IL

820

304

1128

1227

ADR Bulbs

Fabriscape

1230

GAS

IL-IN

1228Sea

Grant+NIL Invasive Plant Partnership

F.S.

1124

1021

1022 Banner

1121

1122 1221 JWest Zanfel Laboratories LLC

JULIE Hortica 1019

RR Sales Landscape & Supply Consulting 1020

Oly-Ola Edgings

1119Red

Flint Rock & Stone

F.E.C.

KO Supply Company

1123

United McKay Greenhouse Nursery Systems

Central 1120 1219 Cornerstone Turf & Processing Irrigation Solutions Supply

1222

Diga-Talk 1220 College

of Lake County Horticulture

Lake Street Supply

A. Block Marketing SKATING RINK

510

1st Choice Equipment

511

R.A. Adams Enterprises

A.Block Marketing

Ditch Witch Midwest

507

506

Cassidy Tire

504

EXIT

ENTRANCE

8;

8;

Wilson Nurseries

Lemke Stone

1011 Kaneville Tree Farms

Ornamental 909

910

1009

810

Ivanhoe Nursery

DeVroomen Garden 8; Products 8;

1014

Xylem Ltd/Rocks Etc 912

Zeiler Kenney Outdoor Insurance Solutions Services

Growers Association N. Illinois

908

906

Krukowski Stone Company

McGinty Bros.

904

Hortech/Liveroof

EXIT

AVANT Tecno USA

Dimex LLC

1111 Chicago Gas Lines

Wholesale Tree

1010

1109

1110 Forrest

Include SavATree Software

1004

1107

B&B Bedding 1105 Arrowhead Ornamentals

Feece Oil

1112

Keeling Nursery

1205

1108

Rosebay Nursery 1106

Sod Solutions

ENTRANCE

!"#"$"

!%&'('!#$

01

GAS F.E.C.

1214

DeWitt

1209

1012

1006

Eden Stone

EXIT

1114

1005

Paver Resources

905

704

8;

914

Husqvarna Group 10'

804

WGIF

CD;'

!"#"$"

Martin Implement Sales

ILCA 8;

EXIT

:;

812

808 907 Northern Family Chicagoland Grows Farms

404

The Tree Connection

708

!"#"

!"#"$"

1229

Downes Training Pool System

1024

!"#"$"

!%&(!#$

1127

Native Curv-Rite Plant Nursery

1231

1130LS

1023

MARIANI PLANTS

Insurance & Employee Benefits

F.S.

F.S.

306 DynaSCAPE Software

Pizzo 1028

1132

Eby's Midwest Evergreen Plantation Compost

Grasshopper Company

Nursery Supplies

204

408

405

308 Cherokee Manufacturing

Kuert Supply Center

PMA Outdoor Equipment

Michels Stone

206

Ecoverse

1027

1030

Cedar Path Nurseries

St.Aubin Nursery

104

208

Ridge Nursery 310

Agrecol

Nursery & Landscape Supply

920

Midwest Trading

Central Sod Farms

Arborjet

409

312Fox

Carlin Sales/ProGreen Plus

311

Kaknes Landscape Supply

205

414

Bailey Nurseries

Goodmark Nurseries

Davey Tree Expert Company

207

Banana Prince Ridge Corporation

EXIT

212 The

210 Spring 305 Meadow Nursery

Doty Nurseries

106

10'

209 RWC Insurance Group

Willoway Nurseries

108

211

Wandell's Nursery

Mulch Center Fiore 1029

ProLine Equipment

Label & Sales

1031 The

1218

F.S.

United 112

GAS

1226

Arlington Power Equipment

314

Gravely, an Ariens Co. Brand

Badger Evergreen Nursery

ow ad

sh

10'

214

Rosetta of Michigan

F.E.C.

114

F.S. F.E.C.

1238

Encore Landscape Lighting

420

Home Tri-County Nursery Stockdale

10'

F.E.C.

928

GARDEN STAGE

324

Better Bilt Products

!%&(!#$

1243

JRCO, Inc.

AISLE 1200

Herman 1141

Carlton Plants

AISLE 1100

AISLE 1000

AISLE 900

AISLE 800

F.E.C. F.S.

F.H.V. F.E.C.

F.H.V. F.E.C.

F.S. AISLE 700

1042

1142

!"#"$"

220

!"#"$"

EXIT

EXIT EXIT

1104 Landscape

Material Firewood Sales

F.E.C.

221

ng

Grand Effects

1044

Rochester Concrete Products

F.S.

122

Lo

1143

!"#"$"

Midwest Arborist Supplies

F.E.C.

Reinders 1046

Northshore Landscape Products

F.E.C.

Prairie Nursery & Organics

828

Lurvey Landscape Supply

F.S.

224

EXIT

936

Deere & Company

Vermeer Midwest

Russo Power Equipment

F.S.

327Garden

Beaver Creek Nursery

U.S. Arbor Products

EXIT

1stFarm Credit Services

428

Kankakee Nursery

223

Ero-Tex Hanes

111

943

Ball Horticultural Company

124

Aesthetic Metals

Turf & Nursery

EXIT

1146

F.E.C.

431

Arthur National Clesen Seed

10'

113

AISLE 600

Tuohy Horticultural Enterprises

Hunter/FX

AISLE 500

Unilock

;

F.E.C.

227

Triple Lincoln Crown Nurseries Products

332

427 330 GRO Horticultural Dayton Enterprises

117

!"#"

436

The Knapheide Manufacturing Company

Kuenzi 844

Phoenix 1045 Clesen Irrigation Brothers Supply

1048

946

836

736

GARDEN LOUNGE

228

Conserv FS

128

329

232

Eco-Roofs

Halquist Stone

ABI Attachments

Vally View

121

F.S.

Hayward Distributing

Dutchman Tree Spade/DPM

Alliance Designer Products

Wholesale Flower Bulbs

130

Green Glen Nursery

132 Colorblends 229

F.E.C.

GAS

536

Casey Equipment

948

Alert Distributing

F.S.

541

StoneWall Homer Retaining Industries Walls

846

10'

125

GAS

442

Belgard

F.E.C.

Friday, February 5, 2016 9:00am-2pm

543

Rental

IGIA Max

439

Grass Farms Indiana

Hicksgas Perfect LLC Turf

Twixwood Nursery

444

Power Equipment Distributors

746

!"#"$"

239

443

Northland Reading Farms Rock 342Blue

Pro Pond Products

AISLE 400

341Easy

344

Native Plant Nursery

546

!"#"$"

Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

242

Porous Pave

Sester Farms

Halloran Power Equipment

135

343

Cardno 446

545

F.S.

!"#"$"

Stockyards Brick

140

NYP Corp

346

Natural Repellents

Weiler, Inc.

GARDEN LOUNGE

241

244

Falls & Pond Supplies

448 Arthur

AspenValley Landscape Supply

142

AIDLE 200

Truck Group

County Materials

Fox River Stone

Hinsdale Nurseries

Midwest STIHL

Thursday, February 4, 2016 9:00am-4pm

Lafarge 144

Armintrout's W.Michigan Farms

445

348

345ALTA

246

Liberty Sable Propane Marco

F.E.C. GAS 137 F.S.

Inc I

Contree Sprayers & Equipment

JAN

Alexander Equipment Company

AISLE 100

146 ABC, 143

248

AISLE 300

243

148

Midwestern Solutions

JAN

F.E.C. F.S.

F.H.V. F.E.C.

17

Paver Resources

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 9:00am-4pm

EXIT

EXIT

JAN

F.S. F.E.C.

EXIT

The Illinois-Wisconsin Landscape Show February 3-5, 2016

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

!"#"$"

!"#"

Exhibit Hours

DISCOVERY

EXPLORATION EXIT

!"#"

R. A. Adams Enterprises, Inc........................ 511

EXHIBITORS

Midwest STIHL...............................................1238

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016 EDUCATION

One fee, three days. Below are the educational sessions on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.

8:30am-10:00am

UTOPIA A & B

1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“ARMAN AND LAFLAMME POSSESS A CHEMISTRY THAT’S SURE TO WIN YOUR HEART” Keep Your Keepers: Retaining & Growing the Right People Co-Starring: Bill Arman & Ed Laflamme, The Harvest Group The war for good people is on!

Competitors are trying to recruit your best people away from your company right now. We all know that recruiting the right people is hard enough but what needs to be done to keep the good people that are currently on board? Bill and Ed are legends in the landscape consulting world. They will help employers build a solid program that will keep and grow their keepers! Learn essential lessons on pay scales, incentive programs, on-boarding, and establishment of a winning culture.

1.5 CEs for LAs UTOPIA C & D 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“BRILLIANT AND ELECTRIFYING” Landscape Pre-Construction: Estimating and Project Planning Starring: Matt Draus, Christy Webber Landscapes The real work occurs long before a shovel goes in the ground. This session will help contractors understand a winning process to select the jobs they want. Starting with the RFP, shrewd companies must understand where the opportunities are and which to walk away from. This will cover how to apply historical data to new projects, how to best structure estimates, and how to submit them effectively. The session will then morph to discuss negotiation, pre-construction planning, and the development of a project management plan. This is a can’t miss session for companies wanting to become a player.

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists NIRVANA A & B

“AN INTELLIGENT BLOCKBUSTER, WITH HEART” Get on the Conservation Bandwagon – There’s A Big Market Out There!

Co-Starring: Sarah Surroz, Conserve Lake County, Peggy Simonsen, Citizens for Conservation, Jim Kleinwachter, The Conservation Foundation, Leslie Shad, National Wildlife Federation Nonprofit land conservation organizations in the Chicagoland area offer certification programs to residential, 32

commercial and institutional property owners that follow ecologicallyfriendly landscape and water management practices. These organizations want professional partners who understand and support their conservation mission for referral to property owners who want to become certified. Are you in? Come learn more about how you can help existing and new clients who want to incorporate more ecologically friendly practices on their properties. Property owners are hungry for assistance with how to change to support these organizations. You can create the win-win!

1.5 CEUs for Arborists NIRVANA C

“A NO HOLDS BARRED, ROLLERCOASTER RIDE” Building a Winning Digital Marketing Strategy Starring: Shane Fell, Top Floor Technologies A successful online strategy involves much more than simply having a website and a Facebook page. In this session we’ll explore what separates winning online strategies from average ones that wander around the internet with no clear direction or goals. Social media has matured since its debut. Simply being out there is no longer good enough. Learn simple tactics that focus on reaching more customers, engaging them with great content, generating more business opportunities, and measuring results.

1:00pm-2:30pm

UTOPIA A & B

1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“A MODERN DAY CLASSIC” 25 Sure-Fire Ways to Reduce Cost & Increase Profits Co-Starring: Bill Arman & Ed Laflamme, The Harvest Group Are you frustrated working 24/7 with low profits? Does it seem the harder you work, the broker you get? Are your sales growing bigger and your bottom line growing smaller? It’s time to get off that hamster wheel and figure out the things that really make you money. This hard-hitting, no baloney session will be peppered with real-world case studies and practical advice. Ed, a former landscape professional, “was in your boots” and knows firsthand what companies go through and how to help you create processes that work. Those that have attended this presentation and implemented his ideas have added thousands of dollars to their bottom lines. This seminar is not to be missed.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“A DRAMATIC EXPLOSION, INCREDIBLE” Tap Into Your Customers’ Emotions and Grow Sales!

Starring: George Atkinson, Auxano Group Did you know that over 80% of purchasing decisions and an astounding 100% of discretionary spending choices are made based on emotion? People rationalize buying decisions based on facts, but they ultimately make their choice based on feelings and emotion. This presentation will explore how the approach a company takes to marketing and sales can either invigorate those emotions or turn people off to their business or products. We will help attendees take a critical look at past practices and show them how a few simple changes can drive more sales, without increasing their marketing budget.

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists NIRVANA A-B-C

“A HYMN TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT, GLORIOUS!” Inspired By Nature – The “New German Style” of Planting Starring: Cassian Schmidt, Hermannshof Gardens, Weinheim, Germany iLandscape is honored to offer attendees this special treat all the way from Germany. German gardens have attracted a lot of attention over the last few years for their innovative natureinspired planting design that highlights perennials and grasses. Since 1999, Hermannshof Gardens has taken the whole management of the garden one step further. By developing effective maintenance systems that suit the planting, they have drastically reduced the labor input, while retaining the ornamental character expected of residential gardens. Cassian will share many examples of design possibilities for cities as well as private gardens that require attractive, yet low maintenance greenery.

2:45pm-4:15pm

UTOPIA A & B

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“A HILARIOUS ROMP THAT NOURISHES WHILE LEAVING YOU HUNGRY” Having Your Landscape And Eating It Too.

homes, apartments, condos and other residences, to grow and have access to healthy, delicious fresh produce. This presentation will investigate the where and how, from the perspective of the landscape professional, to ensure that the incorporation of fruits, vegetables and herbs will be located to produce healthy results. A consideration of retrofitting into an existing landscape or starting from scratch will be explored, as well as conventional ground level gardens, container gardening, vertical gardening and opportunities on a green roof.

UTOPIA C & D

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“I PAID FOR THE WHOLE SEAT, BUT ONLY USED THE EDGE OF IT” Why Walls Fail: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Starring: Bill Gardocki, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc. One of the favorite speakers of Hardscape Expo comes to iLandscape.

Today’s segmental retaining walls (SRWs) are getting taller. Raised patios and tiered walls are commonplace in residential design. The integration of seat walls, pillars, steps, and pavers has increased the need for wall installers to understand wall tolerances, geometry, load bearing, and proper construction techniques. This seminar looks at common pitfalls and mistakes in the construction process. Best practice techniques for wall construction are discussed. Excavation techniques and current installation tools will be highlighted and showcased.

NIRVANA A & B

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“A MUST-SEE THAT FILLS YOU WITH JOY” Ecology and Plant Diversity: Factors in the Design of Public Green Spaces

Co-Starring: Scott Stewart and Laura Ekasetya, Lurie Garden The Lurie Garden is a Chicago treasure that is the living embodiment of the City’s slogan, “Urbs in Horto”. Public green spaces are customarily designed around function and access. However, the modern user of public spaces demands more from their favorite park than a nice location for a concert. Many existing public spaces were not designed with ecological function in mind and must be adapted.

Maintenance techniques based in ecology must be developed for these new spaces. This presentation will discuss design, plant diversity and selection, and maintenance considerations when undertaking the ecological design of a public space, using Lurie Garden as an example.

Starring: Karen Stoelzle Midden, Landscape Architect, IL, Professor, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University Many residential landscapes are trending to include home gardening and edible landscape. Don’t mistake this as a trend. It’s a growing interest of homeowners, as well as those who rent The Landscape Contractor January 2016

33

WEDNESDAY

UTOPIA C & D

WEDNESDAY

NIRVANA C

NIRVANA C

“REVERBERATES WITH POWER AND DRIPS WITH EMOTION, PLUS IT HAS CHICKENS!” The Birds and the Bees Fowl Profits

Taking the Sting out of Beekeeping

CLASES EN ESPAÑOL

Miercoles 3 de Febrero - 10:00 a 12:00

to landscape design. This lecture is targeted to people who are already working in the landscaping industry, business owners, designers, and homeowners interested in landscape design.

Wednesday/Miercoles

Principios de diseño del paisaje

Starring: Tim Kline, Kline Nursery Sales, Inc. With homesteading and self-sufficient lifestyle trending throughout the world, a huge push in rural and city areas is the raising of poultry. These awesome little pets are a ‘pet with benefits.’ They are easy and fun to raise, clean and personable. With garden centers gearing up for the early business, selling chicks and chicken supplies will increase early spring numbers and keep customers coming back for more! Chicken lovers love their girls and spend a lot of money on them. This is an untapped market and only a handful of companies are taking advantage of it.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

La Asociación de Contratistas de Paisajismo de Illinois (ILCA) le da el placer de invitarlo al show y exhibición de iLandscape el 3, 4 y 5 de Febrero de 2016. El espectáculo se celebrará en el fabuloso Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center & Hotel, ubicado en Schaumburg, Illinois.

El estacionamiento es GRATIS y solamente cuesta $25 la entrada para los tres días!!!!! ($25 cuando compras la entranda antes del 4 de Enero de 2016, $35 después del 4 de Enero) Spanish language classes are free! ¡Las clases en español son gratis!

Landscape Design Principles NIRVANA C 1.5 CEUs for Arborists Starring: Jose Magan Universal design principles are typically applied in the creation of great outdoor spaces and shared by different design professions. We will review some of these principles such as symmetry and balance, contrast, proportion and scale, rhythm and repetition, and sequence and circulation. Then, we will see how the functional use, visual characteristics, and aesthetics of plants can be successfully applied 34

Starring: Marina Rheault Post, Co-manager, Christy Webber Farm & Garden Bee keeping can seem daunting.

It requires knowledge of bees, equipment, and care considerations based on location. In this class, we’ll explore the fundamentals of honey bees and keeping them, as well as a different approach to how we think about keeping bees. Understanding what it means to take on this activity through the lens of building a new relationship, can help people realign their perception of what it means to take on beekeeping. This class is suitable for both beginners and seasoned bee keepers.

Algunos principios universales de diseño, los cuales son compartidos por diferentes profesiones de diseño, son normalmente aplicados en la creación de magníficos espacios al aire libre. Vamos a revisar algunos de estos principios como la simetría y el equilibrio, el contraste, la proporción y la escala, el ritmo y la repetición, y la secuencia y la circulación.

Posteriormente, veremos cómo el uso funcional, y las características visuales y estéticas de las plantas pueden ser aplicados con éxito en el diseño del paisaje. Esta charla está dirigida a personas que ya están trabajando en la industria de la jardinería, empresarios, diseñadores, y propietarios interesados en diseño del paisaje.

Leadership Lessons for Business Owners/Lecciones de liderazgo para propietarios

NIRVANA C 2.0 CEUs for Arborists Starring: Marco T. Lenis Expertise in the field and a solid client list can get anyone started in the landscape business.

Long-term success relies on effective leadership and building a team of empowered leaders. Leaders, whether an owner, manager, supervisor or foreman are faced with leadership challenges every day. In this engaging session, conducted entirely in Spanish by an experienced Hispanic business consultant, employees will be informed and inspired to become a better leader for their staff, companies and communities.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

WEDNESDAY ENTERTAINMENT AND AFTER HOURS

Free iLandscape Show Concert

Wednesday, February 3rd • Party and Concert 4:30 - 6:30pm

Firechicken

Get ready for a fun party and a FREE CONCERT! Gather with your friends, colleagues or customers for hors d’oeuvres and drinks, along with some great music.

2016 Entertainment: Firechicken Firechicken is a south side Chicago cover band that brings a mix of classic rock, pop, country and music from today. Playing the hits from bands like the Beatles, Prince, Kenny Chesney, David Bowie, Jimmy Buffet and Black Keys, they will play your favorites and get you on the dance floor.

They’ve played venues throughout the south side and also rocked Chicago venues like the Hard Rock Cafe, The Chopshop and City Winery. Recent winner of the prestigious Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Rock for Charity, Firechicken brings a versatile catalog of fun tunes that gets the party started and keeps it going through the night.

Founded in 2009, Firechicken started as the brainchild of the famous Lisowski brothers. It’s an eclectic group of talented musicians that love to play together. They’ve rocked the suburbs, they’ve rocked the city and now they will rock iLandscape. So eat your dinner, have dessert, but save room for Firechicken.

But wait, the fun doesn’t end there...free shuttle buses, courtesy of the iLandscape Show, will be available to take you to and from Granite City Food & Brewery for libations and festivities from 6:30pm until 11:30pm.

Granite City is the premier “after hours” haunt for iLandscape attendees. A private space has been set aside for iLandscape attendees.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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THURSDAY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016 EDUCATION

One fee, three days. Below are the educational sessions for Thursday, February 4, 2016.

8:30am-10:00am

Utopia A-B-C-D

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“DIRR IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER” Flowering Trees and Shrubs & Praise for Noble Trees Dr. Michael Dirr, Professor Emeritus, University of Georgia It’s no stretch to state that flowering trees and shrubs dominate the current retail and landscape markets. Advances in breeding have produced uniquely beautiful specimens. Color continues to dominate with emphasis on flower, fruit, and foliage. In addition, the lecture will cover the many reasons to praise noble trees.

This includes their durability, adaptability, aesthetics, shade (cooling), co2 sequestration, storm water mitigation and particulate matter interception. Sustained emphasis on selection of superior native trees has increased awareness and availability of the rich and diverse genetics of North America. The lecture presents the rationales for planting flowering trees, shrubs, and noble trees and discusses the best adapted species and cultivars for the Midwest.

NIRVANA A & B

The 606: A Path to the Future

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“I GOT MY KICKS ON THE 606”

Christy Webber, Christy Webber Landscapes, Jamie Simone, Chicago Trust for Public Land, Cathy Breitenbach, Chicago Park District, Terry Ryan, Jacobs Ryan, and Joseph Sannasardo, Walsh Construction Company The 606 is more than a new path. It is more than a new park. It’s a new way forward. This revolutionary green space offers a way to discover new talents and enjoy old ones. It allows visitors to appreciate nature and bring a little more green space into their lives. This incredible panel will bring together the major entities who turned this dream into a reality. The design, project management, and horticultural principles will be covered in rich details. Few other projects have captured our imagination like the 606. Hear the behind the scenes scoop, understand the planning and construction, and discover some of the incredible stories and people who breathed life into the project.

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1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists NIRVANA C

“BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID” IPM For Managing Important Diseases and Pests of Kentucky Bluegrass Turfs Starring: Joseph Vargas, Ph.D, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Sponsored by the Illinois Professional Lawn Care Association (IPLCA) In the cool season grass growing regions, there are several disease that attack Kentucky bluegrass lawns, athletic fields and commercial properties. The major diseases on Kentucky bluegrass are Necrotic ring spot, Summer Patch, Melting-out, Rust and Powdery mildew. The nasty insects are grubs, billbugs, and chinch bugs. Nationally renowned turf educator Dr. Joseph Vargas will offer his unique IPM approach to managing these problems. His talk will cover irrigation timing, nitrogen fertility, resistant cultivars, and chemicals. Healthy turf is emblematic of happy landscapes...and happy clients.

1:00-2:30pm

Utopia A-B-C-D

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“DEEPLY MOVING, THIS WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YEARS” Plants That Pay the Rent Starring: Dan Heims, Terra Nova Nurseries No plant—be it tree, shrub, bulb, or perennial-is beyond eviction. Since 1973, Dan Heims has been deeply involved in all facets of horticulture.

As President of Terra Nova Nursery, he has overseen a breeding program that has produced numerous international gold and silvermedal winners, not to mention an impressive 800 plant introductions. Dan published the Garden Clerk’s Dictionary, and co-authored Heucheras and Heucherellas. Tap Dan’s 40-plus years of plant knowledge to find out which plants fill multiple seasons with foliage color, long bloom times, fragrance, and decorative character. Discover proven plants that make the landlords smile.

You can WIN!

All attendees at iLandscape are eligible to win prizes on the day they attend. Wednesday-Thursday-Friday prize giveaways will include cash, prizes, original art, and much, much more.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“ACTION PACKED - I WAS LEFT WONDERING WHO WILL SURVIVE AND WHAT WILL BE LEFT OF THEM” Battle Royal: Tree vs. Invasive Species Co-Starring: Andi Dierich, DuPage County and Scott Blackwood, USDA-APHIS-PPQ ”IN THIS CORNER”...forget about emerald ash borer, there are other pests and pathogens of concern waiting their turn to invade our trees. The battle of pest versus tree will be emphasized in this gripping presentation that will have folks groaning as we see what trees are next on the hit list. Learn how to fight back as we explore how to identify the invaders, discuss possible management tactics for use in the landscape trade, and calculate what the death toll could be in the Chicago region. Arm yourself with a folding chair and prepare to lay down some smack.

NIRVANA A & B

1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK INTO THE WATER.” Becoming a Great White Shark: Sell Jobs at the Top of the Food Chain Starring: Mark Bradley, TBG Landscape Mark Bradley and his company, TBG Landscape, have built some of North America’s largest residential landscape projects. He brings his experiences, and his mistakes, front-and-center to discuss how he shifted his business from $5k patios to $5M residential estates. It takes a lot less effort, and less overhead, to manage 10 $50k jobs, instead of 50 $10k jobs. Attend this seminar to learn how to position your company to get bigger, better leads; how to build a brand that attracts bigger business; a proven sales process for higher end work and why most sales approaches get what they deserve; how to position yourself as an advisor instead of a salesperson; how to keep customers set and increase their landscape budget and how to turn complaints and problems into upsells and customer satisfaction.

2:45pm-4:15pm

NIRVANA A & B

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“AN ENSEMBLE CAST THAT MIXES LIKE MAGIC” Roots to Reality Co-Starring: Line Grower Nancy Buley, J. Frank Schmidt Nursery, OGA Grower Laurie Damgaard, Kaneville Tree Farms, Forester Peter Gordon, City of Lake Forest, Design/ Construction John Evans, Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architecture, and Researcher Kris Bachtell, Morton Arboretum Sponsored by the Ornamental Growers Association (OGA) “Diversity” in the Green Industry is a hot button topic right now.

But it doesn’t only apply to plants. The Green Industry is unique in that the different segments of our profession each add their own “diverse” part of the process. When a project comes together successfully in the end, the result is a beautiful and thriving landscape. But how do we get from point A to point B? The Ornamental Grower’s Association is proud to bring together our “diverse” panel of experts who each specialize in bringing quality plants successfully into quality landscapes. Diversity may be the hot topic for the present, but it’s already shaping our future.

Utopia C & D

Native Plants in the Formal Landscape

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“A TOUR DE FORCE”

Starring: Mark O’Brien, Cardno Native Plant Nursery Native landscapes are not for everyone.

Landscaping with natives can be.

Everyone agrees that the preservation and establishment of native plant species are critical to the environment.

They are linked to pollinators, Monarch butterflies, stormwater and habitat.

We also agree that they are in great decline along with the insects and wildlife that depend on them. But how can we use these plants in our landscapes and still maintain a clean look? This presentation talks about native species that behave in the formal landscape, the benefits of plants or seed, and the maintenance required to make it work.

Making natives a formality is the new trick of the trade.

Roaming Gnomes WANTED!

Find a roamin’ gnome and collect your reward Gnomes will be hiding among the booths at iLandscape. Find one and collect your $200 reward. Gnomes will be hidden each day. In addition, one Golden Gnome will be hiding with a bounty of $500. *Exhibitors, committee members, staff, and other gnomes are not eligible to collect the reward

THURSDAY

NIRVANA A & B

THURSDAY

Utopia A & B

1.5 CEUs for Arborists

NIRVANA C 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“LARRY LIGHTS UP THE SCREEN” Selecting the Right Clients and Getting Paid

“HILARIOUS WITH VISIBLE GENIUS” Staying Sane in Season: Putting Systems to Work for You

Starring: Larry Heuvelmann, The Owner Consultant This lively presentation is more than just about getting paid, it’s about defining your customer service so your client doesn’t define it for you. Larry will teach you tangible steps to learn how to interview the “potential” client, avoid payment issues, as well as, what to do when you have an issue. Additionally, using these tried and true methods from over 35 years of business experience, you can maintain a consistent cashflow. We have all worked for the client we wish we hadn’t. Learn critical skills to recognize them before you start, so you don’t make that mistake again.

Starring: Matt Dingeldein, Oak Grove Gardeners Spring and Summer are, arguably, the most exciting times of the year for any landscaping business. As the owner and operator of a growing green industry business, your time is incredibly valuable and always in short supply.

Having organizational systems in place, allows you to make the most of your time in the office, in the field, and in your home. Drawing on his experience as a professional gardener, Matt will share with you how to plan for productivity using systems for organizing client schedules, labor, billing, and more. Learn to become the calmest landscaper in the room, while the world swirls around you.

CLASES EN ESPAÑOL

estructurales, estilos arquitectónicos, la forma general y función. Un buen diseño para los espacios exteriores va más allá de las plantas. Marco Romani le explicará el pensamiento detallado que entra en el proceso de planificación. También explicara diseños actuales y las instalaciones de su empresa.

Aprenderan acerca de los diferentes factores que toman parte en los diseños del paisaje residencial.

Thursday, February 4, 2016 Jueves 4 de Febrero - 10:00 a 12:00

Thursday/Jueves

La Asociación de Contratistas de Paisajismo de Illinois (ILCA) le da el placer de invitarlo al show y exhibición de iLandscape el 3, 4 y 5 de Febrero de 2016. El espectáculo se celebrará en el fabuloso Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center & Hotel, ubicado en Schaumburg, Illinois.

El estacionamiento es GRATIS y solamente cuesta $25 la entrada para los tres días!!!!! ($25 cuando compras la entranda antes del 4 de Enero de 2016, $35 después del 4 de Enero) Spanish language classes are free! ¡Las clases en español son gratis!

NIRVANA C 2.0 CEUs for Arborists

Elements of Landscape Design

Starring: Marco Romani, RLA., Arrow.

Land+Structures Successful landscape design requires careful consideration of many elements including the home, hardscapes, accessory structures, architectural styles, overall form, and function. Design for outdoor spaces goes far beyond plant material. Marco Romani will explain the detailed thinking that goes into the planning process. He will also highlight various case studies with actual designs and installations by his firm. Learn about the various factors that go into successful residential landscape designs.

Elementos de diseño del paisaje

Marco Romani, RLA. (Arrow. Land+Structures) Diseño del paisaje requiere una cuidadosa consideración de muchos elementos incluyendo el hogar, accesorios

2.0 CEUs for Arborists NIRVANA C

Customer Service for Field Staff

Co-Starring: Jose Mercado, CLT and Gabriel Mercado, CLT, Rosborough Partners Customer service is an extremely important part of maintaining ongoing client relationships that are key to continuing revenue. For this reason, many companies have worked hard to increase their customer satisfaction levels. Often there are many more people working behind the scenes at a company than there are customer service representatives, yet it is primarily the personnel that interact directly with customers that form customers’ perceptions of the company as a whole. Join us as we discuss suggestions and tips to help you improve interactions between a customer and a product provider at the time of sale, and thereafter.

El servicio al cliente es una parte muy importante de mantener relaciones con los clientes actuales que son clave para los ingresos continuos. Por esta razón, muchas empresas han trabajado duro para aumentar sus niveles de “satisfacción del cliente”. A menudo, hay muchas más personas que trabajan detrás de escenari en una empresa que hay representantes de servicio al cliente, sin embargo, es sobre todo el personal que interactúan directamente con los clientes que forman las percepciones de la Empreza en su conjunto con los clientes. Únase a nosotros para discutir sugerencias y consejos para ayudar a mejorar las interacciones entre un cliente y un proveedor del producto en el momento de la venta, y después de eso.

THURSDAY

Excellence in Landscape Awards Night The night the stars come out to shine!

ILCA Excellence in Landscape Awards Program Thursday, February 4, 2016 Reception begins at 5:00 pm; Program starts at 7:00 pm Don’t miss the ILCA’s annual showcase featuring the best landscapes in Illinois.

Awards Night will be the crown jewel of iLandscape networking opportunities, as well as a great venue to see the industry’s best projects. Come join the celebration of these coveted awards.

Please note: Awards will have a limited amount of tickets available. It is vital you register early if you plan to attend Awards Night. Awards Night sold out in 2014 and 2015. iLandscape cannot guarantee a ticket without pre-registration.

Join friends for an evening of mingling, honoring & celebrating: • Excellence in Landscape Award Winners • Person of the Year • Distinguished Service Award Winner • 2015 Scholarship Winners • Landscape Industry Certified Technicians • Student Design Competition Winners

Michael Dirr’s Shrub Crawl

Join Michael Dirr for a lively review of his favorite plants February 4, 2016 11:15am-12:30pm LIVE! from The Garden Stage Belly-up with world-famous author, speaker, and educator for an unbelievable trade show opportunity.

Michael Dirr will provide a real-time overview of dozens of his favorite plants submitted by iLandscape exhibitors.

See, smell, touch, and experience a side of plants you never knew or expected. Michael Dirr wrote the book on woody plant material, literally! Enjoy a frosty beverage and prepare to laugh as much as you learn.

After the Shrub Crawl, join Dr. Dirr for a book signing at the Bailey Nurseries booth. If you bring the most dog-eared, rag-tag, bent and broken copy of his book he’s ever seen – Dr. Dirr will replace it at no cost!

Michael Dirr has a bachelor and master’s degree in horticulture from The Ohio State University. He earned his PhD. in plant physiology from the University of Massachusetts. He was an assistant and associate professor at the University of Illinois. Currently, he is a professor emeritus at the University of Georgia.

Awards Night is an additional fee which includes heavy appetizers, reception, program and cash bar.

Sponsor The WGIF WISCONSIN HOSPITALITY SUITE at iLandscape!

Dirr has published 50 scientific articles, over 300 popular and trade articles, and 12 books, with the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 6th edition, which is the major teaching and nursery reference tome in the US.

The Reception takes place on Thursday, February 4th from 5pm to ???

It’s a social get-together for Wisconsin’s iLandscape attendees. It’ll be at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel.

Have your company name and logo on signage at the party for just $250!

Contact Brian Swingle at (414) 529-4705 or bswingle@toriiphillips.com

Sponsor The WGIF WISCONSIN HOSPITALITY SUITE at iLandscape!

The Reception takes The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center andplace Hotelon Thursday, February from 5pm to ???

1551 Thoreau Dr. N, Schaumburg, Illinois,4th 60173 The iLandscape Show is February 3-5, 2016

It’s a social get-together for Wisconsin’s iLandscape attendees. It’ll be at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel.

The Landscape Contractor Have your company name 39 and logo on signage The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel at the party for just $250!

January 2016 1551 Thoreau Dr. N, Schaumburg, Illinois, 60173 Contact Brian Swingle at (414) 529-4705 or

FRIDAY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 EDUCATION

One fee, three days. Below are the educational sessions for Friday, February 5, 2016.

All Friday education is FREE for members of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) and Wisconsin Green Industry Federation (WGIF). Members must pre-register using a promotional code. The code may be obtained from ILCA or WGIF.

8:30am-10:00am

NIRVANA A & B

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“TRULY TERRIFYING, I LEFT CLAW MARKS ON MY SEAT” The 7 Deadly Hazard Signs of Trees Co-Starring: Gilbert A Smith, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and Lesley Bruce Smith, ISA Certified Arborist Trees are silent, unless you pay attention. A sure way to add value to your clients is to have a basic understanding of the hazard signs of trees. Even professionals in the green industry are not always aware of the warning signs that trees give us that they need our help and care. When we live and work near trees, it is important to be able to recognize the hazards that could kill us or cause property damage. Benefit from the combined experience and knowledge of these lifelong arborists to learn simply what the 7 Deadly Hazard Signs of Trees are and how to prevent them.

NIRVANA C

“SCOTT DELIVERS WHAT MAY BE HIS GREATEST PERFORMANCE TO DATE” The Entrepreneur’s Mindset: Growing your Business, Personal Wealth, and Legacy Starring: Jeffrey Scott, Jeffrey Scott Consulting Succeeding beyond your wildest dreams requires the freedom to dream big, and then dream bigger. Building your wealth - in terms of money, assets, impact and legacy - is all possible when you separate yourself from the confines of industry group-think, and explore what the wide world has to offer and the dramatic impact you can have on it, and vice versa. Highly successful entrepreneurs think differently from the average business owner. Learn their habits and thought patterns and learn how to apply them to you and your business. Immediately improve the arc of your business, legacy and wealth, with this inspiring session that understands the constraints of small business owners.

11:30am-1:00pm

UTOPIA A & B

“EDGE OF YOUR SEAT THRILLS” Know Your Costs and Succeed in Snow

Co-Starring: Jim Schwantz & Paul Washburn, The Acres Group This session will deliver a budgeting strategy for hourly equipment and manpower costs for a snow operation.

The goal of this strategy is to help manage cost and liability for a company’s snow operation. This strategy will include contract structuring, indemnification clauses, and other critical items related to a snow operation. Success in snow isn’t measured in inches and pushes. It is measured in the ability to achieve a fair profit for the contractor and quality of service for the client.

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FREE FRIDAY!

1.5 CEs for LAs NIRVANA C 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

“SIX LEGS OF CREEPY, CRAWLY TERROR. I SLEPT WITH THE LIGHTS ON!” When Tree Pests Don’t Follow the Rules: Lessons from Emerald Ash Borer and Beyond

Starring: Don Cipollini, Wright State University After 12 years of study, there were no reports of emerald ash borer developing in any non-ash host in the field in North America...until 2014. Don Cipollini will describe the process of discovering that emerald ash borer can attack and complete development in white fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus. Questions remain about why this has occurred, what risks emerald ash borer poses to this species, how to protect it, and what other hosts are in the crosshairs of emerald ash borer. Cipollini will address these questions, as well as the broader implications of this finding for other herbivorous insects interacting with novel hosts.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

“A HIT! VANDERZON OFFERS ONE SURPRISE AFTER ANOTHER” Snow Efficiencies: Saving Time & Money Starring: Paul Vanderzon, ASM When snow strikes, time becomes the critical component in every event. We can’t stop time, but we can improve our capacity by increasing productivity with the right tools. With over 36 years of snow plowing experience, Paul Vanderzon will take snow pros through proven methods his company has used over the years. He will go over efficiencies used in the residential and HOA market. He will discuss how to improve commercial productivity, along with efficient snow hauling and several add on services that can be very profitable. Learn that profit doesn’t depend on weather conditions. It lies in the condition of your operations.

NIRVANA A & B

Living Dirt

“PROVOCATIVE, EMOTIONALLY INTENSE, MAY BE THE PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR!”

Starring: Bill Logan, Urban Arborists, Inc. Bill Logan is the author of “Oak” and “Dirt”, the latter of which was made into an award-winning documentary. Dirt is not just a substrate, nor is it a series of numbers that comes from the lab. It is a living thing, the primary place where the mineral world and the organic world meet to bring forth living things. Soils are individuals, with personalities, with strengths and weaknesses. By learning how soils are born, how they grow and how they die, we can better live amongst them. In large part, we can care for our plants, by caring for their soils. We will examine the components of any soil, the ways in which they mix, the role of airborne, soil borne and beast borne spores, and the ways in which we can respond to help them be what they are meant to be. Join Bill Logan for a simply incredible, novel, unforgettable look at dirt.

Student Career Day at iLandscape Friday, February 5, 2016

COLLEGE

iLandscape welcomes all studious students, prepared pupils, unbelievable undergrads, and serious scholars.

High Schoo l

iLandscape is the event for green industry students. The cost to attend iLandscape for college and university students is FREE as long as the student is registered through their college or university.

There will be educational sessions, a career board, as well as an opportunity to network with young professionals and top employers.

Students may attend any day of iLandscape at no cost. Student Career Day will be Friday, February 5, 2016. On Friday, all education is free to students. Education on Wednesday or Thursday is available at a reduced fee.

10:15am – Student Roundtables - The Garden Stage The highlight of the day is an incredible student session. A diverse team of young professionals will lead table discussions about their area of expertise in the green industry. Professionals will be on hand representing: landscape designers, account reps, garden centers, and even young business owners blazing their own trail. They will explain how to get a job in the green industry, how to be successful, and how to climb the ladder.

A job board will be on hand to match job seekers up with prospective employers.

Any student looking to make the jump to becoming a green industry professional cannot miss this incredible day at iLandscape.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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FRIDAY

UTOPIA A & B

1.5 CEs for LAs 1.5 CEUs for Arborists

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTISTS, AND MUSICIANS

Meet the Supporting Cast!

Wednesday La Ley - Live Remote

Wednesday Artist in Residence – The Garden Stage ArtBeat Live! Elliot From, Speed Painter

Thursday Magician in Residence – Promenade

iLandscape is more than a tradeshow. The show informs, innovates, and inspires. To set the tone, it gathers artists and musicians from across disciplines. These artists and musicians will infuse each day of the show with energy and creativity.

Elliott has taken performance art and made it his own. Each performance is unique with a musical and visual style, all while igniting energy and passion through each subject painted on his canvas. Performance Artist Elliott From creates every canvas with explosive brush strokes, vivid colors and an expressionistic style, known today as an original Artbeat Live painting.

12pm-2pm WLEY-FM (107.9 FM) will have a live remote from iLandscape. La Ley is an extremely popular radio station in the Hispanic market specializing in Regional Mexican music. The La Ley remote will feature fun, prizes, games, and give-aways.

Magician Bill Cook Three-time award winner at the prestigious World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, Bill Cook has been hailed by his peers as the Young Master of Magic. Bill has been featured nationally and internationally on every major television network, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and Showtime.

Thursday Musical Artist – Lobby (Morning) Dave Byron, Guitarist

Thursday Musical Artist – Lobby (Afternoon) Skyline Violin-Guitar Duet

Wednesday Musical Artist – Lobby (Morning) Fernandez & Kimball Spanish Guitars

Ken Rothacker and April Berkowski, Guitar and Violin

Wednesday Musical Artist – Lobby (Afternoon)

Rolfe Hokanson and Roger Harris – Bass and Jazz Piano

Wednesday — Meet friends and bring home a friend from iLandscape!

The first two pet adoptions at iLandscape are FREE!

Anderson Animal Shelter - A Humane Society, South Elgin, IL The mission of Anderson Animal Shelter is to continue to serve as a premier private facility dedicated to the compassionate and humane treatment of homeless companion animals through direct care, education and community outreach programs.

Thursday Artist in Residence - Promenade Mike Dillon, Sculptor Mike Dillon is an artist living and working in Chicago, Illinois. He works in a variety of mediums including styrofoam, snow, and clay.

Friday Musicians – Promenade

Mariachi Michoacana Mariachi Michoacana, disfruta de la musica tradicional, con el mejor amviente.

Friday Musicians – Lobby (Morning)

Adam Hendrickson & Ben McMunn, Guitarists

About Schaumburg, IL – Entertaining and Dining Schaumburg is known nationally as an outstanding attraction and shopping destination – synonymous with an almost unlimited choice of the finest retailers in America.

Schaumburg’s 200 restaurants welcome you in style and with something for everyone’s taste. Ranging from highend steaks to Chicago-style pizza, the list of well-known eateries includes: Chicago Prime, Morton’s Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Wildfire, P.F. Chang’s and Lou Malnati’s Pizza, to name a few.

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Entertainment options abound from some of the best in international performances at IMPROV or Prairie Center for the Arts to Rivers Casino a short drive away.

Shopping is extreme at Woodfield Mall – one of the top 10 largest indoor shopping malls in the U.S. The largest Ikea store in North America is in Schaumburg!

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Booking your room is easy, below are options for your convenience:

The venue will also overstaff GATHER bar, Sam & Harry’s steakhouse, concession stands, and coffee shop to ensure lines are short. The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel is committed to putting guests firsts and will make sure nothing stands in the way of a morning cup of joe or happy hour beer.

Book your stay at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel and receive the following benefits:

Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel 1551 N. Thoreau Dr. Schaumburg, IL 60173 Tel.: 1 (847) 303-4100 Fax: 1 (847) 303-4199 A limited hotel block is available. It is VITAL that you book your rooms early.

Discounted hotel rates at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel are available through January 11, 2016.

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Link directly to the Renaissance Schaumburg Center Hotel reservation page Direct Link: https://resweb. passkey.com/go/iLandscape2016 Call 1-877-303-0104 and reference: iLandscape: The Illinois + Wisconsin Landscape Show

Free parking Complimentary Access to Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel Fitness Center (featuring the first salt water hotel pool in Illinois) Experience refined style at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, IL where stunning design and architecture blend seamlessly with impeccable service for ultimate in refined sophistication.

Please note: Hotel rates are available exclusively for iLandscape exhibitors and attendees. This is the only hotel affiliated with the iLandscape Show. iLandscape and ILCA cannot guarantee room rates or availability by any other company, representative, or hotel. Hotel reservations made in any way other than through the online reservation or with direct contact with the hotel are at the risk of the individual.

There are a limited number of hotel rooms available at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Spillover hotels and rates will be available if necessary. Check the www. ilandscapeshow.com website for more information.

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THE RENAISSANCE SCHAUMBURG CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL

The Schaumburg Convention Center is attached to the Renaissance Hotel. Simply walk downstairs, across the lobby, and into the show. No shuttle busses or brisk walks outdoors.

REGISTRATION AND PARKING

PARKING IS FREE! at the onsite and spillover lots! Get there early - it is best to park closest to the convention center as opposed to the hotel. Guests of the hotel are guaranteed onsite parking spaces.

Parking and Directions iLandscape recognizes that parking at the facility has its challenges. To rectify the situation we have added a spillover lot at Woodfield Mall that will be running five concurrent shuttles on each morning of the show. There will be no waiting or lines for shuttles in 2016. iLandscape and the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center are committed to making your iLandscape experience pleasant from the moment you park your car.

Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel 1551 N. Thoreau Dr. Schaumburg, IL 60173 Spillover Parking (Spillover parking may be in effect as early as 10am on each day of the show) Should it be required, offsite parking for this event will be located at Woodfield Mall, Parking Lot B at Golf & Access Roads. Signage from the convention center to this parking area will be in place should

directional assistance be required. Shuttles will be available to transport attendees to and from the convention center.

Airport information Chicago O’Hare International Airport – ORD Airport Phone: 1 800 832 6352 Hotel direction: 13 mile(s) NW The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel does not provide shuttle service.

Courtesy phone available Alternate transportation: American Taxi Call 1-847-255-9614 or Go Airport Express 1(888) 284-3826, fee: $35 (one way) Estimated taxi fare: $65 (one way) Midway International Airport - Chicago – MDW Airport Phone: 1 800 832 6352 Hotel direction: 15.1 mile(s) NW The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel does not provide shuttle service.

Courtesy phone available Alternate transportation: American Taxi Call 1-847-255-9614; fee: $60 (one way) on request Estimated taxi fare: $75 (one way)

Be part of the iLandscape experience! iLandscape is about providing more benefits to attendees for less money. iLandscape was designed smarter and placed in a lower cost, more convenient venue. Savings are passed along to the attendees and exhibitors.

Pricing:

Tradeshow-only: $25 (on or before 1/4/16) / $35 (after 1/4/16). Includes access to all three days of tradeshow, keynotes, Wednesday night party and concert, and Spanish-language education sessions.

Education Pass: $79 (on or before 1/4/16) / $99 (after 1/4/16). Includes full access to the tradeshow plus access to ALL education sessions.

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Awards + Tradeshow: $85. Includes access to the tradeshow and the Excellence in Landscape Awards reception on Thursday, February 4, 2016.

Awards + Education: $165 (on or before 1/4/16) / $185 (after 1/4/16). Includes access to the tradeshow, all education sessions plus the Excellence in Landscape Awards Reception on Thursday, February 4, 2016.

Students: Students registered through a college or university receive tradeshow experience passes for free. Students also

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

may receive discounts on an Education Pass or Awards ticket. Students should contact their college or university for the promotional code. Colleges and universities can obtain the promotional code by contacting iLandscape at information@ilca.net ILCA and WGIF Members: Education is free on Friday for ILCA and WGIF members. You must register using a promotional code that will be emailed to you. If you do not receive the code, please contact your respective organization.

You may register online at www.ilandscapeshow.com – it’s fast, easy and secure!

You may fax this form with credit card information to: 630-472-3150 You may mail this form to: ILCA, 2625 Butterfield Rd., Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523

REGISTRANT INFORMATION (see pricing on page 44) Please print or type. Use one form per company or organization. Only individuals registered for iLandscape may attend the event.

Company________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address___________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________ State/Province __________________________ Zip Code _________________ Phone Number ________________________________ Email Address: ______________________________________________________ Registrants: First Name (as it will appear on the badge)

Last Name

Email*

Subtotal

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

$ _____________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

$ _____________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

$ _____________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

$ _____________

Total

$ _____________

*If email address is not provided, we will default to the email provided above.

PAYMENT INFORMATION o Check

o Credit Card: Visa / MasterCard / Discover /American Express

Credit Card Number________________________________________________________________________________________________ Expiration Date ______________________________________________________________ CVV# ________________________________ o Billing Address Same as mailing Billing Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ By participating in the 2016 iLandscape Show you acknowledge that you might be photographed in connection with activities. You agree that iLandscape is the sole owner of all rights to the resulting photographs for all purposes relating to iLandscape business.

Your likeness may be used by iLandscape in advertising and promotional materials. Participants shall receive no compensation for appearance in any materials.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are an Exhibitor, the main contact from your company will receive an e-mail with instructions for Booth Staff registrations.

If you require special accommodations to participate, please detail your requirements: _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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REGISTRATION FORM

iLandscape: Illinois + Wisconsin Landscape Show – February 3-5, 2016 – Schaumburg Convention Center – Schaumburg, IL

Enfoque: Sección en Español

Más cosas que ver... Más cosas que hacer.. por Meta Levin

¡Llegó la hora de la

feria! El telón subirá el 3 de febrero para la tercera feria anual de paisajismo, iLandscape. Habrá música, premios, nuevos productos y servicios, sesiones educativas, fiestas y gnomos. Será todo lo que usted ha llegado a esperar de iLandscape y más.

“Es un matrimonio entre conciencia de productos, diversión y educación”, asegura Scott Grams, Director Ejecutivo de ILCA. Todos los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de desempeñar un papel estelar, caminando por la alfombra roja y atravesando el “Paseo de las Estrellas”. La feria se llevará a cabo del miércoles, 3 de febrero al viernes, 5 de febrero de 2016, en el Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel en Schaumburg.

Siempre fresca En un esfuerzo por mantener la feria fresca e interesante, el Comité de la Experiencia iLandscape ha modificado y actualizado varios aspectos del evento, prestando al mismo tiempo mucha atención a los comentarios que los 46

miembros del Comité recibieron de los expositores y asistentes a la feria el año pasado. Con ese propósito, el escenario de la feria ha sido trasladado al centro del piso de exhibiciones, lo que permitirá a todos los asistentes ver y escuchar desde cualquier parte del salón, mientras continúan revisando las ofertas de los expositores. (Vea el nuevo plan del piso en las páginas 32 y 33).

Las mujeres se expresan en iLandscape 2016 El acto inaugural incluirá un panel moderado por Ana Belaval de la WGNTV. Los panelistas serán tres mujeres de la industria verde con nombres reconocidos y opiniones muy firmes sobre liderazgo.

Las tres son Anna Ball, Presidenta de Ball Horticultural; Terri The Landscape Contractor January 2016

McEnaney, Presidenta de Bailey Nurseries, y Donna Vignocchi, Presidenta de ILT Vignocchi. Su conversación se titula el Paisaje del Liderazgo y cubrirá temas esenciales para gerentes, desde control del tiempo hasta visión y delegación y escucha activa.

Hay una sorpresa especial el jueves.

Liza Hausman es Vicepresidenta de Relaciones Industriales en Houzz. com. Houzz está revolucionando las ventas de diseño. Bob Hursthouse de Hursthouse, Inc. advirtió que se están convirtiendo en su segundo generador más importante de contactos, después de las referencias. ILCA hizo una encuesta entre sus miembros y descubrió que era el único sitio de medios sociales con un impacto directo en los resultados finales. Liza tiene una amplia visión de las tendencias nacionales en paisajismo y diseño y discutirá cómo una presencia en los medios sociales está dejando de ser algo “ventajoso” para convertirse en una necesidad comercial.

..

Nuevo giro en una actividad popular Este año, el popular recorrido por la feria dirigido por un conferencista, estará a cargo del Dr. Michael Dirr, Horticultor y Catedrático de la Universidad de Georgia.

Dirr dirigirá un paseo entre arbustos (“Shrub Crawl”) desde el Garden Stage.

El más reciente de una serie de paseos con el público, muy populares, el recorrido incluirá plantas leñosas de una variedad de proveedores.

El sonido de la música Una vez más, iLandscape estará llena de música. El miércoles tocará un guitarrista flamenco en el vestíbulo; el jueves, Dave Byron actuará por segundo año consecutivo y el viernes amenizará el evento una banda de mariachis.

“Habrá músicos durante toda la feria”, afirma Tony Lobello, quien, junto con Katrina House, es copresidente del Comité de la Experiencia iLandscape.

Las atracciones no se detienen Si la música no fuese suficiente, Anderson Animal Shelter pondrá algunas adorables mascotas disponibles para adopción y el jueves, el mago Bill Cook saldrá al escenario en el salón de expo-siciones.

Por supuesto que los asistentes podrán festejar el miércoles por la noche, con la música de la Tributosaurus Band. “Es un grupo muy talentoso”, afirma Lobello.

“Tendremos una fiesta muy divertida”.

La Cena anual de Entrega de Premios de ILCA se celebrará el jueves por la noche.

Habrá un jardín de esculturas por el que la gente podrá caminar, así como un área para comer y un punto de reuniones central. “Siempre tratamos de hacer más variada la experiencia”, asegura Grams. “Los artistas y los músicas crean el ambiente adecuado”.

Como respuesta a sugerencias de estudiantes que no estuvieron de acuerdo con el formato del panel de estudiantes el año pasado, el Comité lo ha cambiado totalmente.

En lugar de sentarse y escuchar conferencias, los estudiantes

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Enfoque: Sección en Español serán divididos en grupos e invitados a sentarse alrededor de mesas con jóvenes contratistas de servicios de paisajismo que contestarán sus preguntas y hablarán sobre sus propias experiencias.

“Esperamos ayudarles a comprender mejor la importancia de una red y cómo construirla”, afirma Grams. “Queremos que aprendan las cosas que pueden hacer ahora para tener éxito más adelante”.

Y habrá gnomos. Gnomos ocultos, incluyendo un gnomo de oro que representa $1,000 para quien lo encuentre.

Ocultos en diferentes lugares del piso de exhibiciones de la feria, asomándose por varios despliegues de proveedores, cada gnomo regular tendrá un valor de $200.

Encuentre el gnomo, llévelo al puesto de exhibición de ILCA y reclame su premio.

Así de sencillo.

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Por supuesto que el Comité de la Experiencia también presta atención a los detalles. Respondiendo igualmente a sugerencias del año pasado, habrá letreros más claros para estacionamiento, así como en las áreas para abordar el autobús de ida y regreso. Y, asegura Lobello, tendremos más espacios para estacionamiento cercanos que en el pasado.

Los planes presagian muchas cosas más, pero hasta que todo esté finalizado, Lobello y su equipo guardan silencio.

Mientras tanto, promete que la experiencia será diferente. “No piensen que lo vieron todo el año pasado”, afirma Lobello.

“Vengan a la feria. Será un fabuloso evento social y de aprendizaje”.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Reorientando la educación en una nueva y audaz dirección Por Meta L. Levin

“Nos sentimos

muy sugerencia de arquitectos paisajistas animados por la diversidad de los que asistieron al evento el año pasado, conferencistas”, afirma Kim Hartmann, las clases elegibles para obtener Presidenta del Comité de Educación de créditos de Educación Continua iLandscape 2016. Esa diversidad incluye durarán 90 minutos. ¡Esto permitirá pollos, pero hablaremos de esto más a los arquitectos paisajistas ganar 12 adelante. Y sí… hay un permiso para créditos en Educación Continua en animales de granja involucrado. iLandscape por solo $78!

Los miembros del Comité de Se agruparán las áreas de estudio, Educación de iLandscape volvieron a por ej., todo lo de interés para prestar mucha atención a los comentarios arboricultores se concentrará el mismo de los asistentes al evento el año pasado, El gurú de las plantas día. Igual la nieve y otros temas. enriqueciendo el programa de 2016 con De esta forma, si alguien únicamente puede sesiones educativas para contratistas de asistir un día, tiene garantizado recibir todo lo que se ofrece servicios de paisajismo, representantes de municipalidades, con respecto a un tema específico y maximizar los créditos dueños de negocios, cultivadores, diseñadores e instaladores necesarios para la educación continua. de hardscape (elementos de concreto), peritos tasadores, Oh, ¿y mencionamos que la educación el viernes es capataces, superintendentes, operarios de máquinas gratuita? No habrá cargo por asistir a clases el viernes, con quitanieve, arboricultores, arquitectos y diseñadores el propósito de poner la educación a disposición de más paisajistas y mucho más. asistentes.

“Reconocemos que contamos con un público muy amplio Los asistentes podrán aprender sobre temas de recursos en la industria verde y queremos asegurarnos de cubrir a humanos como qué hacer cuando se recibe una llamada todos los interesados”, afirma Hartmann. Esto significa que del Departamento del Trabajo, el mismo día que pueden habrá clases sobre plantas/horticultura, administración y aprender sobre atracción, motivación y retención del personal. operaciones, ventas y marketing, arquitectura paisajista y La experiencia ha enseñado al comité que los asistentes diseño y mantenimiento de jardines, así como remoción de con frecuencia están interesados en diferentes áreas de nieve y control de hielo. El Comité también ha continuado la aprendizaje. Debido a esto, pueden mezclar clases, asistir a tradición de ofrecer varias clases en español con la ayuda del una y después a otra.

Comité de Relaciones con los Latinos.

Por consiguiente, una persona puede aprender sobre “El año pasado, algunas personas nos preguntaron si “Pre-construcción, estimado y planificación en paisajismo” podíamos ofrecer también en inglés algunas de las clases con Matt Drauss y luego asistir a la clase sobre “Ecología e impartidas únicamente en español”, dijo Hartmann. insectos” impartida por Scott Stewart.

Están programadas cerca de 25 clases, cada una de Los favoritos de siempre, como plantas perennes, árboles 75 minutos de duración. Y habrá sesiones educativas los y arbustos y otros temas de horticultura que atraen a grandes tres días, a diferencia del año pasado, durante el cual solo cantidades de asistentes, no han sido olvidados. El gurú de hubo sesiones el primero y el segundo día. Tomando una The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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Enfoque: Sección en Español las plantas, Dan Heims, plantador, orador, coleccionista y criador, además de ser uno de los propietarios de Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. en Canby, Oregon, hará su presentación, “Plantas que pagan la renta” ante los asistentes a iLandscape este año.

“Siempre está al tanto de las plantas más novedosas”, afirma Hartmann.

“Pero en esta presentación hablará sobre plantas que añaden valor intrínseco a la vida y a las propiedades de los clientes”.

Esto incluye utilizar plantas que ayudan a ahorrar energía, aumentan el valor de la propiedad y benefician la salud.

De regreso al piso de exposiciones de iLandscape, Michael Dirr, Horticultor y Profesor de Horticultura,

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dirigirá un paseo entre arbustos, visitando puestos de exhibición cuidadosamente seleccionados para hablar sobre plantas leñosas. “Los paseos con el público han sido muy populares”, afirma Hartmann. Usualmente atraen de 80 a 100 participantes.

Dirr, catedrático de la Universidad de Georgia y reconocido experto en plantas leñosas, tiene una Licenciatura y una Maestría en Ciencias con especialidad en fisiología de plantas, de la Universidad Estatal de Ohio, y un Doctorado en la misma materia de la Universidad de Massachusetts en Amherst. Es autor de más de 300 publicaciones científicas y populares, así como siete libros. Además, Dirr ha sido reconocido ampliamente por sus escritos sobre horticultura y propagación de plantas, y su libro, Manual de Plantas Leñosas en Paisajismo: Su identificación, características ornamentales, cultivo y propagación y usos, ha sido adoptado ampliamente como texto de referencia en cursos de horticultura y arquitectura paisajista.

Hay una sesión educativa programada para cada mañana (incluyendo el viernes), seguida de tiempo suficiente para examinar la feria y relacionarse con otros participantes, además de dos sesiones por las tardes. Hartmann señala que a diferencia del año pasado, habrá únicamente un conferencista inaugural que hablará desde un escenario en el salón de exposiciones. “La feria y las sesiones educativas se enriquecerán mutuamente”, comenta.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Los créditos de educación continua estarán disponibles para una amplia variedad de profesionales y disciplinas, incluyendo arquitectos paisajistas, arboricultores certificados, técnicos paisajistas certificados/ certificados por la industria paisajista y Profesionales de Viveros Certificados por Illinois (ICN Pros).

El Comité de Educación de iLandscape se ha concentrado en la visión de conjunto, mirando tanto el bosque como los árboles, según el dicho popular. Por ejemplo, el “Panel 606” presentará el “606”, el nuevo sistema de parques y senderos de Chicago, desde una variedad de ángulos. El panel estará compuesto por arquitectos paisajistas y contratistas de servicios de paisajismo, representantes del Distrito de Parques de Chicago, contratistas de hardscape (elementos de concreto), planificadores de obras públicas - “todo el equipo funcional”, asegura Hartmann. “Quisimos mostrar el sistema desde el diseño hasta la inauguración”.

El proyecto utilizó una antigua servidumbre de paso para trenes y la convirtió en espacio verde, lleno de hierba, árboles nativos y plantas perennes. Más de una década en construcción y ubicado a lo largo de la antigua Línea Bloomingdale, el sistema fue diseñado para unir las artes, la historia y el diseño, con senderos para ciclistas, corredores y caminadores. Incluye áreas para eventos especiales, avenidas para transporte alternativo, espacio verde y abierto. Fue inaugurado en junio.

En su continuo esfuerzo por mantenerse adelante o al menos a tono con las últimas tendencias, iLandscape se está concentrando en el movimiento denominado, “de la granja a la mesa”, especialmente el crecimiento de la demanda de huertos en el patio. Los clientes están cultivando plantas comestibles, pero también se están diversificando hacia ciertos tipos de animales de granja y polinizadores domesticados, como las abejas.

Entra “Fowl Profits/Petscaping” (Beneficios con aves de corral/Jardinería y mascotas) con Tim Kline, seguido a poca distancia de pollos, cubiertos con un permiso oficial para animales de granja de Schaumburg – probablemente el primero para iLandscape. No obstante, los pollos estarán ahí, vivos y en persona.

Sin embargo, no se hizo lo mismo con las abejas. El Comité pensó que no sería buena idea traerlas, afirma Hartmann. En lugar de eso, los polinizadores zumbadores serán objeto de discusión.

Por consiguiente, no importa cuál sea su interés específico, iLandscape ofrece educación para todos.

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Enfoque: Sección en Español

iLandscape

TM

the illinois + wisconsin Landscape Show

Conferencistas inaugurales destacan las oportunidades

por Meta Levin

La industria del paisajismo avanza a velocidad de curvatura. Es emocionante. Desafiante. Maravilloso. Pero, ¿cómo podrá mantenerse a flote cuando el aspecto comercial de su negocio le ocupa el tiempo que quisiera dedicar a las innovaciones y, especialmente, a su visión? ¿Le suena familiar? iLandscape lo tiene cubierto.

A las 10:15 a.m., el miércoles, 3 de febrero, visite el escenario principal del salón de exposiciones de iLandscape para explorar, “El Paisaje del Liderazgo” con Ana Belaval, personalidad de WGN en el aire, y tres estrellas del paisajismo: Terri McEnaney, Presidenta de Bailey Nurseries; Ana Ball, Presidenta y Directora Ejecutiva de Ball Horticulture Company; y Donna Vignocchi-Zych, Presidenta de ILC Vignocchi.

Aprenda cómo han hecho frente a los desafíos del control del tiempo, la delegación y la necesidad de identificar una

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dirección estratégica, mientras la industria cambia alrededor de y junto con ellas. Estas profesionales han maximizado los esfuerzos del personal y sus colegas para lograr objetivos comunes, aprender a enfocarse, escuchar, delegar y evitar el agotamiento.

El jueves, 4 de febrero de 2016, regrese para otra presentación de alto calibre: “Houzz y el Cliente Empoderado: Cómo la tecnología está transformando la renovación de exteriores” con la propia Liza Hausman, Vicepresidenta de Relaciones Industriales de Houzz.com.

Houzz.com es parte de la revolución tecnológica que está empoderando a sus clientes, permitiéndoles educarse, así como elegir a profesionales del diseño y la construcción de jardines ornamentales. Excelente, pero ¿qué significa esto para usted y su negocio?

Los miembros de ILCA están señalando a Houzz.com

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

como la mejor plataforma de tecnología para llevar clientes a sus puertas. Dejemos que Liza Housman le diga cómo lo hacen y cómo puede beneficiarse.

Terri McEnaney

Perteneciente a la cuarta generación de Bailey Nurseries, Terri McEnaney asumió la presidencia de la Compañía en 2001.

Aunque creció en el negocio familiar, primero trabajó para Terri McEnaney 3M Co., antes de regresar a Bailey Nurseries. Desde que Terri ocupa la presidencia, la compañía ha ampliado sus asociaciones internacionales y creado y lanzado tres nuevas marcas de

plantas, además de crecer en términos de ganancias, personal y desarrollo de marca.

Terri se enorgullece de dedicar tiempo a aprender y recordar el nombre de cada empleado y mantiene una política de puertas abiertas en su oficina.

Anna Ball

Anna Ball es Presidenta y Directora Ejecutiva de Ball Horticultural Company, una compañía privada con 110 años de existencia, especializada en cultivo, biotecnología, producción Anna Ball y comercialización de semillas de flores híbridas y otros cultivos floriculturales. También es administradora

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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Enfoque: Sección en Español fiduciaria del Arboreto Morton, Choose DuPage y directora de la Junta de Career Vision.

En su tercera generación de administración familiar, Ball Horticultural tiene actualmente más de 20 locales alrededor del mundo.

Donna Vignocchi-Zych

Donna Vignocchi-Zych entró en la industria del paisajismo por conexiones familiares y un poco de suerte. Cuando no le fue posible encontrar una pasantía en el campo que había elegido – transmisiones radiotelevisivas -, aceptó la oferta de su padre de trabajar con él. Le encantaron las personas que conoció y con el tiempo aprendió el negocio familiar comenzando desde abajo y dedicándole todo el tiempo necesario.

Donna Vignocchi-Zych Utilizando sus antecedentes académicos, elaboró un plan de comercialización para su padre, que tuvo mucho éxito.

Como su madre, es ávida jardinera, pero ha descubierto que por naturaleza tiende hacia las ventas, campo al que se ha dedicado con éxito hasta el presente.

Forma parte de la Junta Directiva de ILCA y se ha mantenido activa en PLANET/ALCA.

Liza Hausman

Vicepresidenta de Marketing de Productos Industriales y Relaciones con la Comunidad para la aplicación Houzz. com, Liza Hausman tiene un largo historial en marketing y negocios, con experiencia en el negocio de ventas en la web a consumidores y B2B (negocio a negocio). Sus especialidades

incluyen desarrollo de marca, definición y desarrollo de nuevos mercados, estrategias y tácticas de marketing, marketing de respuesta directa en Internet, optimización del rendimiento de la inversión (ROI) en sitios web, compra de medios, desarrollo e infraestructura de equipos, creación y distribución de contenido de liderazgo reflexivo, Relaciones Públicas creativas y relaciones analíticas, así como marketing social y comunitario.

Liza Hausman

Ana Belaval

Ana Belaval es la reportera “por la ciudad” del noticiero matutino de WGN, ganadora de tres premios Emmy (nominada seis veces) y ha trabajado como presentadora sustituta en el noticiero matutino y en el del mediodía, así como reportera de asignaciones generales.

En su tiempo libre, es comediante de micrófono en varios locales del área de Chicago, trabajando frecuentemente con sus colegas de la WGN, Pat Tomasulo Ana Belaval y Mike Toomey, y en el Show de Mikey O Comedy. Belaval también es presentadora del Proyecto “Chicago Stand Up” de WTTW y recientemente fue invitada al programa “The View” de la ABC. También es autora de un blog, “Ay Mama,” basado en sus experiencias como madre, el cual actualmente presenta las reflexiones de otras siete madres.

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The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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Member Profile Tentinger Landscapes, Inc. 1290 Molitor Road Aurora, IL 60505 (630) 913-5100 www.tentinger.com

by Meta Levin

Zack Tentinger

has been working in gardens since he was 12 years old. The experience led him to Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture, with a minor in horticulture. It also led to the establishment of Tentinger Landscapes, Inc. The company has grown since its inception in 2012, now offering landscape design and construction, as well as maintenance and snow removal to both residential and commercial clients.

His landscape construction clients range throughout the western suburbs, but maintenance is pretty much limited to an area bounded by Elgin, Yorkville, Naperville and Geneva.

“The year we started we went from four properties to about 30,” says Tentinger. While his design skills came in large part from his formal education, the rest of his skills – maintenance and construction – are the result of experience. As a youngster, his landscape maintenance business grew until he had 25 regular customers in high school.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with living things, the environment and making beautiful spaces.”

Tentinger started his company with a friend, but within two months he had enough work to hire two more full time employees. By the next year he had six full time employees and now he has 12. “I’m fortunate to have a great group of employees,” he says. “They are dedicated to the company and the end product. Combined with their experience and depth of knowledge, we are able to handle any project that we take on. They have a great passion for the industry.”

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Along with his employees, Tentinger pays close attention to trends in the industry. His residential clients are interested in outdoor kitchens, but fire pits continue to be popular, as well. “They want a connection between their interior environment and the exterior landscape,” he says.

They also want to use more native plants, looking not only at the aesthetic value, but also at the fact that, because they are suited to local conditions, they will last longer. Tentinger notes that using native plants is a “huge push for our company. We educate our customers on their value and implement them in any way possible.” He is working toward establishing a division focused entirely on natural landscapes.

He’s also seeing a demand for more edibles mixed in with other plants in the landscape. Customers are interested not only for their visual appeal, but also because they can eat the plants.

This is a result of his emphasis on close interactions with his clients. “We stress the value of relationships,” he says. “This helps us to provide the environment that they want and need, based, of course, on their sites and the type of project.”

Because he believes in giving back to his community, Tentinger has provided time and labor to offer landscape clean up and sometimes plantings to homeowners’ associations that otherwise would not have the money to get the work done.

In early 2015 Tentinger joined ILCA. “It’s something that we have been considering for a long time,” he says. He was attracted by the support ILCA proThe Landscape Contractor January 2016

vides to the industry and particularly the educational opportunities. This will be the ninth year he has attended the former MidAm, now iLandscape, where he has taken advantage of educational panels and seminars.

When Tentinger has a little free time he likes mountain biking and other outdoor activities, including working in his vegetable garden and a perennial garden that has grown into a test garden for Tentinger Landscapes.

In his work, Tentinger is focused on using industry best practices. He is proud of that. “Our customers know that we will always do things the right way,” he says.

Classified Ads HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

FULL- TIME ENTRY LEVEL LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Kings Landscaping Co. is looking to hire dynamic,highly motivated individuals to our team.

Kings has been a staple in the western suburbs of Chicago since 1959. We are in need of a Landscape Architect and Maintenance Supervisor.

The positions are salaried; pay will be commensurate with experience and education. All Resumes should be sent directly to Noel King,CFO at nkings@kingslandscaping.com

Maintenance Account Manager

Grant & Power Landscaping, a premier contractor in the western suburb, is looking for a creative, efficient and self-motivated designer to add to our team. The ideal candidate has experience with Dynascape and some knowledge of estimating and installation procedures. Experience with Google SketchUp a plus. Prefer a degree in landscape design, horticulture or equivalent industry experience. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Grant & Power Landscaping has been providing outstanding service to our clients for over 35 years. As a design build firm, we specialize in custom residential designs, detailed installations and maintenance. We pride ourselves in providing a quality, full service landscaping experience.

Visit our website at www.grantandpower.com Please contact Sarah Grabowski at 630-2310069 sarahgrabowski@grantandpower.com

Landscape Architect/ Sales: The qualified candidate must have the following: Must be self-motivated and willing to work individually.

• 2-4 years of experience is preferred.

Advanced • Horticultural knowledge is desired.

• 4 year degree minimum in Landscape Architecture or related field.

• The individual will need to help facilitate projects from initial client contact to completion.

• Project management skills are required.

• Customer service skills are mandatory.

• Desired Computer Skills: • Dynascape, Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Sketch up, QuickBooks Maintenance Supervisor/ Sales The qualified candidate must have the following:

FOR RENT 5 ACRES HEADQUARTERS OR SATTELITE SITE Frontage onto Square Barn Road, Algonquin, IL With four Buildings: • Heavy Equipment Barn • Indoor Equipment Storage Area • Fertilizer & Equipment Barn • Small Equipment Barn • Plus 3 acre Gravel Parking Lot Contact: Richard Lamkey 847-878-8228

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•

Must have or be willing to obtain spray operator license Horticultural background 4 year degree is required or experience equivalent Candidate will be supervising the maintenance division Be able to estimate and obtain new maintenance contracts Candidate will be main point of contact for clients and must be able to problem solve.

• • • • •

Irrigation Contractor looking for the following positions: • • •

Service Manager Project Manager Engineer/Designer/Estimator

Immediate openings. CAD drafting abilities a plus.

Please send resume to: service@hyirrigation.com

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

Schmechtig Landscapes in Mundelein, Illinois is hiring. We are looking for a Maintenance Account Manager. This position requires thorough knowledge of landscape maintenance and maintenance enhancement procedures; 5 years minimum experience as a supervisor or foreman overseeing and maintaining high end residential properties managing multiple crews; knowledge of estimating, production rates and job costing; excellent understanding of maintenance and horticultural practices.

Candidates must have a horticulture degree or certificate and driver’s license with a clean record. Landscape industry certified and bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Please send resume to Rob Sizer: rsizer@schmechtiglandscapes.com FIELD SUPERVISOR Garden Prairie Organics; Northern Illinois Compost Facility is seeking for a full time position; FIELD SUPERVISOR Expectations of Position: • • • • • • • • • • •

Supervise and work with team in the field Perform daily tasks in compost operation Work in conjunction with operations manager Heavy equipment experience General equipment maintenance knowledge Work around all types of moving equipment Good communication skills Organized Self starter Enjoys working outside Experience in organic recycling or mulch operation a plus

Please send resume to: mike@gpocompost.com 847-963-6151 fax Account Manager A degree in horticulture is preferred but not required. Clean driving record is required and bilingual is helpful. Friendly and helpful personality is a must. 40-50 hours per week with 30-40 accounts.

Very few Saturdays. Salary, vehicle, benefits, and profit sharing.

Please email resume to: info@suburbanlandscaping.com or fax: 708-756-1122

Classified Ads HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Nursery Foreman A Touch of Green Garden Center located in Homer Glen, IL currently seeks a full time, experienced, and hardworking individual as Nursery Foreman to provide help to customers and staff as well as managing nursery inventory and products.

Candidates should have 2-4 years of experience and excellent communication skills. The right candidate should have experience operating skid steer machines and a fair knowledge of plant materials as well as the ability to provide friendly and courteous attention to all our patrons and staff.

Founded in 1983, A Touch of Green has been on the leading edge of the Garden Center and Landscape Industry within the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

If you wish to apply, please send a resume and/ or completed employment application to Sheryl Ott, Office Manager, at Sheryl@atouchofgreen. net. Please feel free to contact us at 708-301-2090 if you have any questions about the position.

***SOUTH BRANCH NURSERY CAREER OPPORTUNITY***

James Martin Associates Vernon Hills, IL

Part Time Mechanic A Touch of Green Landscaping is currently seeking a qualified truck and small engine mechanic.

Both our landscape and garden center divisions have over 20 trucks, 8 skid steer machines and several small pieces of equipment that require maintenance and repairs throughout the year.

We offer competitive wages and benefits.

Please email resume to: Jimp@atouchofgreen. net or fax to 708-301-2782

***NURSERY MANAGER*** *South Branch Nurseries, Inc., a sister company of Goodmark Nursery, has been in business since 1996 and is looking to expand its production for the future. Looking for a team player to manage growing operation in Union IL. Manage container growing & propagation, field production from start to finish, planning, forecasting, inventory control, budgeting and supervision of team* Join our industry leading team! To view full job description visit us at www.goodmarknurseries.com or contact Amy@ 847-487-5071.

Assistant Maintenance Superintendent ILT VIGNOCCHI, a growing landscape management company, located in Island Lake/Wauconda, IL is accepting resumes for an Assistant Maintenance Superintendent. Responsibilities include supervision of maintenance and enhancement crews, assisting Account Managers with property inspections, quality control, and some customer interaction. English & Spanish fluency is required. Landscape industry experience and/or a horticultural degree is a plus. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer competitive wages and benefits.

Please email resume to: kblock@iltvignocchi.com

We are looking to add to our team of world-class associates. If you are an experienced: • Designer/Salesperson • Residential Maintenance Account Manager • Residential Maintenance Operations Manager • Commercial Maintenance Account • Manager/Business Development Please send resume to: b.mcelroy@jamesmartinassociates.com Draftsman Award-winning swimming pool designer/builder seeking a Draftsman to assist in the design of Outdoor Living spaces that include swimming pools,water features and Landscape Design.

Proficiency in Auto Cad, Sketch Up, Shader Light and Lumion essential. Tasks include: Drafting Master Plans, details, and base plans for 3D models, 3D modeling of residential landscape projects, rendering realistic 3D images and movies from Sketchup models.

Send resume to: mhiggins@platinumpoolcare.com, or call Mike Higgins at 847-537-2525.

Full Time Mechanic Beverly Environmental is a South Chicago based landscaping company. We are seeking an experienced equipment and truck mechanic. This is a salaried position with benefits. Please email resume to: astraughn@beverlyenvironmental.com or call 708-516-7826

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES JAMES MARTIN ASSOCIATES, INC. Vernon Hills, IL & Boulder, CO

James Martin Associates, Inc. is a leader in the Landscape and Snow Management industry.

We have been providing services to our customers for over 37 years.

Account Managers

We are seeking candidates for the following positions:

Designer/Sales

Superintendents

Business Development

To be considered for any of these opportunities, please forward your resume and salary history to b.mcelroy@jamesmartinassociates.com or call Beth at 847-876-8052.

Landscape Architecture • Construction • Maintenance • Snow Management

www.jamesmartinassociates.com

The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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Advertisers 1st Choice Equipment ............................................16 Agrecol..............................................................18 Bartlett Tree Experts .............................................20 Beaver Creek Nursery ..........................................51 Cardno ......................................................................7 Carlin Sales...............................................................4 Chicagoland Gardening .........................................61 Contree Sprayer & Equipment ................................54 Doty Nurseries LLC ................................................18

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Pick-up or Delivery Available

21457 Milwaukee Avenue • Deerfield 3100 North Skokie Highway • Lake Bluff 27601 W. Sullivan Lake Road • Volo 2533 Oakton Street • Evanston (Evanston Organics) www.mulchcenter.com

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The Landscape Contractor January 2016

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All-Star Plants

Betula ‘Madison’ — White Satin Birch

Members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois will be the exclusive provider of content for the Plant All-Stars page during 2016.

By Arthur P. Weiler, Inc.

Some plants

— just like All-Star athletes — make everyone around them look better. What’s a plant you can use — and recommend — with confidence? We’ve asked ILCA members—who are also members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois — to share their thoughts on proven performers.

White Satin™birch, a Chicagoland Grows® introduction, is outright beautiful. The white satin bark, attractive foliage and yellow fall color make this plant extremely attractive for any landscape.

White Satin stands out in our yard waiting to be sold. This plant catches your eye, and most people choose it over the standard river birch due to its bright white bark.

Dr. Ed Hasselkus selected this tree from the collections at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Longenecker

Betula ‘Madison’ facts—

Horticultural Gardens. Planted in the mid-1970’s from seed distributed by the USDA, White Satin out-survived all the other seedlings, which were lost to bronze birch borers.

In addition to being borer resistant, White Satin is extremely hardy, a fast grower that transplants well, and it has a uniform, upright pyramidal habit. What’s more, birds love to nest in this tree. When we sell one from our nursery, we have to make sure we are not going to drop unhatched eggs!

White Satin birch grows to be 30-40 feet high and approximately 25 feet wide. At our nursery, we only grow clump forms, and the tree is truly exceptional.

We recommend White Satin birch, a graceful and elegant addition to any landscape.

Arthur Weiler, Inc.

Size:

Foliage

30-40’ tall with spread of 25’

Simple, alternate, dark green leaves turn yellow in fall

Ornamental Features

Culture

Satin-white, slightly peeling bark provides all-season interest.

Full to partial sun in moist, welldrained (preferably acidic) soil.

Tolerant of drought and poor drainage. Intolerant of salt.

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Arthur Weiler, Inc. nursery was established in 1957 by Arthur P. Weiler, who grew up in the nursery business.

Today, his son, Glenn, is president of the company.

Glenn’s wife, Dr. Phaedra Weiler, is the business manager.

Their son, Arthur D. Weiler, is vice president and nursery manager. The Weiler nursery grows an extensive line of trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennials in finished sizes on 200 acres and maintains seven acres of pre-dug plants that are placed on drip irrigation and fertilized to maintain vigor and health.

The Landscape Contractor January 2016