2023 Indiana Green Expo

New Educational Sessions

If this is your first experience of planning to attend the Indiana Green Expo, please read the next few sentences and follow the next pages of the Education Schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday Educational Tracks. I am excited to announce some new sessions and talks, as well as an additional workshop that was not included in the original IGE Registration, that will be happening at the 2023 Indiana Green Expo.

First off, you might want to look at the original workshops hosted Monday January 30, 2023 on the IGE 2023 Agenda, which is actually a 2-day event offering an initial concrete paver installer certification course regarding commercial and residential installation offered on behalf of the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI). Donny Duke is an authorized and talented instructor, in which last year, over 80% became certified installers upon completion of the course. Also offered on Monday, is a review and test session for Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) certification, which is the only state of Indiana certified accreditation. If these are not your cup of tea, there are many other industry specific problem areas that will be offered.

On the trade show floor both

Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, there will several topics discussed, with a few having hands-on training along with question-and-answer sessions. These are hosted by industry specialist that you might find beneficial and alleviate questions that keep you up at night.

Regarding the educational session tracks, a few that I personally am very excited about on Tuesday is the General Session Talk regarding Stress, Burnout, and Mental Health at Work, plus tying in Common Problems and Management of Landscape Plants. I you read the article in the January – February 2023 edition regarding Governor Holcomb’s proposed budget it appears as though it is a larger more prevalent linger- ing issue that some thought post-COVID. Also, naturally the Grand Opening of the Trade Show, as representatives from our 4 Corporate Sponsors, Blue Grass farms of Indiana. Brehob Nurseries, Schuetz Insurance Services/Frankenmuth Insurance and Townsend Arborcare will ask the attendees a question, prior to ribbon cutting and the correct answer will garner a $100.00 Gift Card. The trade show floor near the Landscape Challenge area will also host trade show talks from 1:30 –4:00 pm.

Wednesday February 1, Highlights I found intriguing is the Core Training Workshop H from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please note this workshop was added post – education and must be Signed Up separately here: https://cventme/IEvbam. One of the session tracks on Wednesday afternoon, I feel would be worth sending a member from your company to would be the Women @ IGE. I am amazed at how many Women Business Enterprises (WBE) are members of our association. While I know many member company names, not knowing that many were WBE’s.

As always, I am always astonished by the number of companies from out-of-state that remark our education and the consistency of vendors attending our trade show, rivals what use to be produced at Mid-Am, CENTS and National Shows. Especially considering the cost to attend this event in comparison to other venues.

Humbled to be a partner with our friends and colleagues at Purdue and MRTF!

Rick Haggard INLA Executive Director

A Game Plan for Rising Costs

As the cost of inputs such as labor, green goods, soils, and fertilizers continues to rise, landscape companies are faced with the challenge of finding ways to reduce costs and increase profit. Here are five recommendations for general practices and ideas that landscape and lawn care owners can consider implementing as part of their game plan for rising costs in the year ahead:

Optimize your pricing strategy: Carefully review your pricing strategy to ensure that you are charging enough to cover your costs and generate a profit. You may also want to consider offering package deals or bundled services to increase your revenue.

Streamline your operations: Look for ways to streamline your operations and reduce waste, such as by automating tasks or eliminating unnecessary steps. This can help to lower your costs and increase your efficiency.

Negotiate with suppliers:

Don't be afraid to negotiate with your suppliers for better prices or terms. By building strong relationships with your suppliers, you may be able to secure discounts or other favorable terms that can help to reduce your costs.

Offer virtual consultations:

In the age of technology, many customers are open to receiving services and advice remotely. Consider offering virtual consultations to your customers to reduce the need for in-person visits and save on travel costs.

Partner with other businesses: Look for opportunities to partner with other businesses or organizations in your area. This could involve co-marketing or cross-selling, or even sharing resources such as equipment or office space.

By implementing these recommendations and thinking creatively, landscape business owners in Indiana can develop a game plan for rising costs and find ways to reduce costs and increase profit. Remember to stay positive and believe in your ability to overcome challenges and succeed.

INDIANA OUTDOOR MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE