10 minute read
CONGRESS PREVIEW
PREVIEW
COME HOME TO
Canada’s premier green industry trade show returns as an in-person event
LLandscape Ontario Congress is coming back as a live and in-person event. Returning as Congress Redefined, the annual trade show takes place at the Toronto
Congress Centre on Jan. 11-13. Rated as one of North America’s top rated shows for the green industry, Congress is celebrating its 49th year in 2022, and will once again prove why it is the definitive trade show for Canadian landscape and horticulture professionals. Tony DiGiovanni, executive director of
Landscape Ontario, describes the show as
“a homecoming” for all green professionals, from students to seasoned industry veterans. “The value is within the relationship building that defines a community. It is also exciting to see the diversity and size of our sector under one roof,” DiGiovanni said. “Congress is community-building accelerated. Attendees learn new things, meet others in the same profession, renew old friendships, enhance their financial position and in many cases build a legacy.” The trade show element of Congress, which is expected to welcome more than 10,000 green professionals, will feature more than 400 exhibitors from various sectors that fall under the landscape profession’s umbrella, including everything from hardscape to softscape and nurseries to snow and ice management. “We are beyond excited to bring our community back together safely at LO
Congress,” said Heather MacRae, Landscape
Ontario’s director of events and trade shows. “The support from the suppliers to the landscape profession have made it an absolute pleasure to re-create the new version of Congress.” Alongside exhibitors on the trade show floor, Landscape Ontario has created several feature events to ensure Congress attendees have the best show experience possible.
SAFETY
AT CONGRESS
For the 2022 instalment of Landscape Ontario Congress, numerous protocols will be in place to prioritize the health and safety of all that attend.
“I want to assure you, we will be taking every step recommended by public health professionals to ensure Congress is a safe event,” said Joe Salemi, deputy executive director of Landscape Ontario.
PROOF OF VACCINATION
Proof of vaccination and identification is required to enter the Toronto Congress Centre. The show is unable to accept proof of a negative COVID-19 test for admittance.
A verified medical exemption will be accepted, in the form of a written document from a physician or nurse practitioner. The medical exemption must include the name and contact information of the physician or nurse practitioner, a logo or letterhead identifying the physician or nurse practitioner and a statement explaining there is a medical reason for your exemption from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Children who are 11 years of age and younger are exempt from proof of vaccine and testing requirements.
As well, the show asks that all attendees complete a self-screening assessment for COVID-19 symptoms before arriving at the show.
FACE MASKS
Face masks are mandatory for all guests ages two and up. Neck gaiters are not permitted. The City of Toronto has passed a bylaw requiring everyone to wear a mask or face covering in all indoor public settings.
Congress attendees are also asked to maintain a safe distance from one another, as per rules and regulations.
NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE
The New Product Showcase will offer Congress attendees the opportunity to see the latest product releases from exhibitors. Located at the trade show entrance in Hall D, the New Product Showcase highlights new equipment, technology and plants introduced since last year’s Congress. The showcase will feature images of the new product, as well as the exhibitor’s booth number, to serve as a trade show roadmap.
LIVE STAGE
Congress previously hosted live demonstrations at three locations throughout the show. Now, the LIVE Stage in Hall F will serve as a hub for all demos and feature various industry sectors.
PATIO LOUNGE
The Patio Lounge offers attendees a place to take a break, recharge or chat with colleagues. Located near the LIVE Stage in Hall F, the lounge offers seating, charging stations and free Wi-Fi.
RECRUIT LIVE
Recruit LIVE will connect employers with prospective new employees right on the show floor. Located in Hall F, Landscape Ontario’s Recruit LIVE is an opportunity for employers and future employees to network, conduct interviews and hire candidates right at the show.
CONGRESS CONFERENCE
The Congress Conference will take place online via Zoom Jan. 18-20, 2022. The conference has established a name for itself as Canada’s top professional development event for horticulture, and this year is no different. Conference attendees will be able to virtually attend 36 sessions, led by industry experts covering horticulture, business and special interests.
“The speaker lineup is truly remarkable, and the range of topics covered has something for just about every green professional,” said Joe Salemi, deputy executive director of Landscape Ontario.
SEE YOU AT THE SHOW
While Congress will look somewhat different in 2022, the event has existed for as long as Landscape Ontario has been an association. DiGiovanni recalls attending the event just as he entered the profession.
“When I was a horticulture student wondering if this industry was really for me, visiting Congress reinforced that I had made the right choice and that there was a life after college,” DiGiovanni said.
“Whether this is your first congress or your 40th, we can’t wait to see you at the Toronto Congress Centre,” Salemi said.
Early bird discounts for Congress are in effect until Dec. 17, 2021, and Landscape Ontario members qualify for additional savings. To register for the show, visit congressredefined.com.
LANDSCAPE TRADES IS THE PROUD MEDIA PARTNER OF CONGRESS REDEFINED. STOP BY BOOTH #1219 AT THE SHOW TO MEET THE LANDSCAPE TRADES TEAM!
AS A PROUD SHOW PARTNER, LANDSCAPE TRADES IS EXCITED TO OFFER READERS FREE PASSES TO THE SHOW.
USE PROMO CODE
LAN3320
WHEN REGISTERING TO REDEEM YOUR FREE PASS.
EVENT SCHEDULE
While the trade show is in-person, a number of partner events remain virtual for 2022, providing accessibility for landscape professionals all across Canada.
JAN. 11, 12, 13
CONGRESS TRADE SHOW | Toronto Congress Centre
Your trade show pass provides access to more than 400 exhibitors as well as live demos and recruitment opportunities in the Patio lounge. The show floor is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 11-12, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 13. Parking onsite is free.
congressredefined.com
JAN. 18, 19, 20
CONGRESS CONFERENCE | Virtual conference via Zoom
Landscape Ontario’s virtual Congress Conference will offer attendees the opportunity to learn from experts from around the world. The annual seminar series returns Jan. 18-20, via Zoom, and delivers 36 sessions featuring 47 leading experts from across the various sectors of horticulture and landscaping. congressredefined.com/conference
THURSDAY, JAN. 6
IPM SYMPOSIUM | Virtual conference via Zoom
Landscape Ontario’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Symposium includes seven seminars covering a range of topics from applied research for turfgrass management to common disease identification and treatment to an overview of MECP’s pesticide program along with inspection and compliance updates. Symposium attendees earn six Continuing Education Credits (CECs) from the IPM Council of Canada upon completion of an online exam. landscapeontario.com/ipm-symposium-2022
TUESDAY, JAN. 25
An initiative of Landscape Ontario’s Landscape Designer Sector Group, the conference delivers a full day of seminars created for landscape designers and landscape architects. Throughout the day, 16 industry experts will deliver six seminars covering a variety of topics from selecting the right plants based on home, style and environmental conditions to using drones in landscape design. The 2022 edition is presented with recognition of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA). Sessions qualify for OALA CECs. landscapeontario.com/landscape-designer-conference-2022
CONGRESS CONFERENCE PREVIEW
Held Jan. 18-20, 2022, Congress Conference delivers 36 virtual sessions featuring 47 leading experts from across the various sectors of horticulture and landscaping. For more information on sessions, or to register, visit congressredefined.com/conference.
TUESDAY, JAN. 18
POND MANAGEMENT - THE OPPORTUNITY AND NECESSITY David Sim 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
EMBRACE YOUR INNER GEEK Grant Harrison 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
GARDEN CENTRES AROUND THE WORLD Paul Cooling, Rachel Doyle, Nick Stodel, Leanne Johnson, Karen Moad 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
SUSTAINABILITY - BUZZ WORD OR BUZZ KILL? John Bladon 11 a.m. to noon
INNOVATIVE SOILS IN THE MODERN CONSTRUCTION LANDSCAPE Jose Haig 11 a.m. to noon
SUCCESSFULLY RECRUITING AND RETAINING LABOUR Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Christine Moffit, Kathy Thomas, Scott Wentworth 11 a.m. to noon
GET SMOOTH OPERATIONS WITH REPEATABLE SYSTEMS Jacki Hart 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
2021 TRIAL GARDEN RESULTS Rodger Tschanz 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE IN GREEN PROFESSIONS Jeanette Barber 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
TUESDAY, JAN. 18
PROTECTING FRUIT TREES FROM PESTS AND DISEASES Susan Poizner 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19
GARDEN SPOTLIGHT: ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS KEW (London, UK) Richard Barley 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
THE COOKIE HAS CRUMBLED: CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIGITAL ADVERTISING WITHOUT THE COOKIE Zachary O’Connor 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
BUILDING WINNING TEAMS: KEEP THEM AND TRAIN THEM TO SUCCEED Rob Redden 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
HIGH LEVEL ESTIMATING: STRATEGIC VS. TACTICAL THINKING George Urvari 11 a.m. to noon
ESTIMATE AND LEARN TO USE IT LIKE A PRO! THE INTERNET OF NATURE Nadina Galle 11 a.m. to noon
CONTAINER GARDENING FOR FOUR SEASONS Catherine Karpman 11 am to noon
CURRENT SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND FORECASTS FOR 2022/2023 Jamie Riddell, Jeff Olsen, Mike Schiedel, Jason Ireton, Jason Vettese 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
RECOMMENDED REPERTOIRE OF RESPECTABLE PLANTS 4.0 Jon Peter, Colleen Cirillo, Darrell Bley 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
OPTIMAL RECOVERY, SLEEP AND ENERGY FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH Dr. Matthew Posa 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
FIVE SEASONS: THE GARDENS OF PIET OUDOLF (VIRTUAL SCREENING) 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
THREE REPORTS EVERY LANDSCAPE BUSINESS NEEDS TO GROW PROFITABILITY Greg Herring 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
TREES AND CONSTRUCTION DAMAGE Kyle McLoughlin 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
SENIORS GARDENS: A GROWING MARKET WITH HIGH PROFIT POTENTIAL Ron Koudys 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
PROFITING FROM SAYING “NO” Haig Seferian, Beth Edney, Frank Ferragine, Jim Mosher, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
THURSDAY, JAN. 20
PREPARING THE GROUND FOR HEALTHY SOIL Glenn Munroe, |Greg Patterson, Jon Durzi 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
COLLABORATION WITH MUNICIPALITIES & CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES Paul Brydges 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS WITH STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS Jacki Hart 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
BUDGETING DURING AND POST PANDEMIC Peter Guinane 11 a.m. to noon
INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE TECHNIQUES Isaac Crosby 11 a.m. to noon
THE PLANT PARENTING REVOLUTION: CONNECT & CULTIVATE HOUSEPLANTS TRENDS TO MAXIMIZE RETAIL SALES Leslie Halleck 11 a.m. to noon
ARE YOU DIGITALLY RELEVANT? FACE THE NEW WORLD OF ONLINE COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATIONS HEAD ON Leslie Halleck 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
PARX: A PRESCRIPTION FOR NATURE AND HEALTH Dr. Melissa Lem, Jennie McCaffrey 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
INVASIVE SPECIES FOR CAROLINIAN TREES Kyle McLoughlin 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
HELP YOUR LANDSCAPE SHINE WITH PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Stacy Bass, Jeff McNeill, Joel Hordyk 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
RESTORING ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY AND BIODIVERSITY Heather Holm 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
SUCCESSION PLANNING - THE GOOD, BAD, & UGLY Nathan Helder 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SAFETY AT
BY SPONSORING MASKS AND HAND SANITIZER
VISIT BANAS STONES AT THE SHOW: BOOTH 1850