Our dedicated staff and volunteers are thrilled to present an exceptional lineup of industry experts, engaging sessions, and valuable insights. This year’s event also features the largest industry trade show on the Prairies, promising a wealth of opportunities and discoveries.
Get ready to hear from an impressive roster of speakers who will offer fresh perspectives and actionable strategies. They will challenge you to refine your business approach and expand your vision for the future of our industry. Topics include innovative tips for business growth, disease and pest management, leveraging AI and technology, snow and ice business practices, empowering diversity, tree protection, new plants and so much more!
Whether you’re seeking inspiration for attracting new clients, energizing your team, or enhancing your industry impact, this event is designed to provide the tools and knowledge you need for greater success.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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DATES & TIMES
NOVEMBER 20-21, 2024 Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 7:55 AM – 12:25 PM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024 7:55 AM – 12:25 PM TRADE SHOW
WEDNESDAY 10:30 - 4:30PM
THURSDAY 10:30 - 3:30PM
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
JEFF MCMANUS: GROW: GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE GREAT!
RAYNE GIBSON: PASSION IS NOT LEADERSHIP
Hotel
GISC 2024
2024 CONFERENCE FULL SCHEDULE
PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024
8:30 am - 9:00 am Lookout Room - Registration and Coffee
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
NEXTRA CONSULTING PEER GROUP
9:30 am - 10:00 am Frontier Room - Registration and Coffee
10:00 am - 2:00 pm AGGA DAY OF DISCOVERY
*Lunch included for both events
2024 CONFERENCE FULL SCHEDULE
CONFERENCE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024
7:30 - 7:55 am Registration and Continental Breakfast Room Frontier Room
7:55 am - 8:55 am G.R.O.W: GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE GREAT! Jeff McManus
9:05 am - 10:05 am
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Dutch Elm Disease Threat to Alberta Trees
Ken Fry Growing Diversity: Empowering Women in Green Spaces Carla Bailey Award Winning Projects: Selection, Submission, Reward John van Roessel & Maria Galdon
Soil HealthComprehensive Testing to Inform Soil Management Decisions
Jason Henry From Labourer to Manager: Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders
Grant Harrison
AI in the Green Industry: Leverage Technology to Save Time and Make Money Rayne Gibson
Keeping up with the Jones’: Post Covid Genetics Felicia Vandervelde
Seeing Your Garden Centre Through International Eyes
Ashleigh Munro and Jill Van Duyvendyk
10:30 am - 4:30 pm GREEN INDUSTRY SHOW - STOCKMENS PAVILION
11:25 am - 12:25 pm Advances in Turf Research
Jason Pick It's Not About the Pay Cheque
Jeff McManus Mini Forest Plantings: A Unique Opportunity to Improve Urban Forest Canopy
Jason Henry Garden Center Design Considerations Rayne Gibson
8:30 pm - 11:30 pm AFTER PARTY Garden Terrance Lounge, Red Deer Resort & Casino
2024 CONFERENCE FULL SCHEDULE
CONFERENCE (CONTINUED)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024
7:30 - 7:55 am Registration and Continental Breakfast Room Frontier Room
7:55 am - 8:55 am
9:05 am - 10:05 am Tools & Tech to Drive Efficiency
Christopher Thacker
PASSION IS NOT LEADERSHIP Rayne Gibson
10:15 am - 11:15 am Stability Through the SUB Program
Killer Growth: Avoid Simple Mistakes When Growing Your Company
Peter Guinane Tree Protection During Construction and Picking the Right Tree For Your Location
Carla Bailey Servant Leadership: How to Effectively Lead and Inspire a High Achieving Team
Peter Guinane
Jeff McManus Aphids in the Greenhouse: Identification and Management
Ken Fry
Emerald Ash Borer in Vancouver: Update and Lessons Learned Troy Kimoto Breeding for Garden Centres: The Story of How New Plants Get to Market Anik Graves
10:30 am - 4:30 pm GREEN INDUSTRY SHOW - STOCKMENS PAVILION
11:25 am - 12:25 pm
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
EARN CREDITS
PANEL: Eliminating Winners & Losers in Contracts
Brandon Comstock & Chris Hinton
Speed Round: 60 Ideas For Making Your Company a Place Where People Want to Work
Brad Parker & Grant Harrison Tree Breeding, Trials and Prairie Nursery Innovations
Wilbert Ronald Harnessing Precision LED Lighting Technologies to Impact Plant Growth and Development
SOD GROWER’S MEETING Lookout Room
Many sessions qualify for educational credits for renewing industry designations and certifications including Landscape Industry Certified designations, Alberta Environment’s Pesticide applicator/dispenser license renewal, ISA Continuing Education Units, and others. Information highlighting which sessions will earn credits are listed in the session descriptions and updates will be posted on our website, www.greenindustryshow.com, as they are approved.
Dr. Glen Uhrig
GISC 2024 SESSIONS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024
Frontier Room Education Champion Sponsor
7:55 AM
KEYNOTE: G.R.O.W: GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE GREAT!
Jeff McManus
Based on his book, Growing Weeders into Leaders , this motivational keynote presentation is based on Jeff’s G.R.O.W. theory that explores G reat Teams, R aising Results, O ffense Scores and W inners Win. In this session, Jeff will discuss ways to invest and grow employees and leaders in any organization, which is key to long-term success.
9:05 AM
DUTCH ELM DISEASE THREAT TO ALBERTA TREES
Ken Fry
Dutch Elm Disease has been established in Central and Eastern Canada for many years and has caused millions in losses over this time. Alberta has been fortunate to have had only two minor infections in the past. However, recent expansion in Saskatchewan and a recent detection in the B.C. Interior increase the risk of this disease arriving in Alberta. We will examine the life history and damage of the disease and its vectors, and review what we can do to detect it and what we need to do if we do find it.
10:15 AM
SOIL HEALTHCOMPREHENSIVE TESTING TO INFORM SOIL MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Jason Henry
Soils are the foundation of our urban forestry dreams. Understanding the physical, biological, chemical and hydrological properties of your soils is fundamental to the success of any urban forestry project. Here, Vineland will provide an overview of what we think urban foresters need to know about their soils to improve successful tree establishment and sur-
vival. Drawing on years of experience conducting research across the urban tree value chain, Vineland will highlight a series of key performance indicators that can be used to support more informed decision making as it relates to the management and maintenance of soil in urban settings.
11:25 AM
ADVANCES IN TURF RESEARCH
Jason Pick
Explore the latest breakthroughs in turfgrass science with our in-depth presentation on recent advancements from the Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation. This session is designed for turf care professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of industry knowledge.
Key topics include:
• Optimizing fertility for robust turf growth
• Effective herbicide use for weed management
• Innovative water conservation strategies
• Selecting the best turf species for your needs
• Advanced diagnostic techniques for turf disease identification
We will present summarized research data from 2021-2024, providing evidence-based management strategies, and tips for successful overwintering, tailored specifically for Western Canada.
Trailblazer
9:05 AM
GROWING DIVERSITY: EMPOWERING WOMEN IN GREEN SPACES
Carla Bailey
Elevate your landscaping or horticulture business by embracing diversity and innovation through the empowerment of women in the industry. This compelling presentation is designed for business owners and senior managers seeking to unlock the full potential of their teams and drive forward their companies with fresh perspectives and enhanced creativity. Discover the transformative power of gender diversity in fostering a more dynamic, innovative, and profitable business environment.
10:15 AM FROM LABOURER TO MANAGER: CULTIVATING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
Grant Harrison
As managers, many of us have experienced the disappoint -
ment of investing in employees who initially showed promise but did not meet our expectations. However, it’s important to remember that most of us in this industry began as entrylevel workers and were given responsibilities that allowed us to grow and eventually step into management roles.
This session is designed to equip your management team with the tools and systems necessary to identify and develop promising employees who are ready to take on more responsibilities. Additionally, it will provide details on how to foster a culture that promotes employee growth and development. This seminar will help you invest in the next generation and cultivate the future leaders of our industry.
11:25 AM
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE PAYCHECK
Jeff McManus
Of course the paycheck is important, but breaking through to passion and purpose only happens when we rethink conventional business wisdom. But how do you re-train yourself, your organization, to think differently?
How do you foster an environment where it’s safe to do it, where purpose and passion can thrive without destroying your
business? How do the world’s most clever companies manage to not only endure change but encourage it, harnessing it to climb to new heights? How do chickens cook and universities stay alive in the face of market shifts and competitive challenges? What can established businesses learn from their own people about purpose? What can we learn about ourselves by talking about leaders we’ve seen or know who display the 4 most admired leadership qualities? And how can developing landscape weeders into strong, individual team members help an organization grow their purpose or passion?
In this clever and engaging session, Jeff debunks myths about success, shares unforgettable stories and research, and rouses an audience up, preparing them to actively consider their own passion and purpose. How you think about success will never be the same. Leave this session knowing how to:
• Inspire leadership in each team member while creating an environment that encourages purposeful thinking;
• Unleash the power of creative and innovative processes and procedures that can cultivate a passion for new ideas;
• Leverage your unique framework for breakthrough buyin from your team.
9:05 AM
AWARD WINNING
PROJECTS: SELECTION, SUBMISSION, REWARD
John van Roessel & Maria Galdon
Unlock the Secrets of Award-Winning Projects: Insights from Judges and Past Winners. Discover how to select the perfect project for submission, create compelling submissions, and avoid common pitfalls. Dive into real-world case studies of successful designs, builds, and maintenance. Plus, explore the tangible benefits of winning awards, from marketing advantages to team morale. Join us for an illuminating session!
10:15 AM
AI IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY: LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO SAVE TIME AND MAKE MONEY
Rayne Gibson
In a rapidly evolving world, embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a choice, but a strategic advantage for nursery owners and managers. Join us to explore how AI can supercharge your sales and sharpen your skills in the nursery business. This
session is designed to provide actionable insights, inspiring you to reimagine your data utilization.
As you step into the AI-powered future of the nursery industry, remember that the integration of AI isn’t just about data – it’s about reimagining possibilities. Embrace the potential of AI to revolutionize your sales, refine your skills, and lead your nursery into a prosperous tomorrow. Start your journey by implementing even one AI-driven strategy discussed and witness the transformation it brings to your business.
11:25 AM
MINI FOREST PLANTINGS: A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE URBAN FOREST CANOPY
Jason Henry
Miyawaki Forests, also known and Mini or Tiny Forests, are small-scale, densely planted urban forests that focus on planting native trees and shrubs in small urban areas. This method emphasizes the improvement of the soil health prior to planting, and then focuses on densely planted, diverse, locally adapted forest species to mimic the design of complex native forest ecosystems. These small forests, typically the size of a tennis court (200m2), have many environmental and social benefits that include but are not limited to carbon sequestration, improved tree growth, increased biodiversity by providing necessary habitat for wildlife and expand green spaces. In this session you will learn about Mini Forests and the unique opportunity they possess to improve your urban forest canopy.
9:05 AM
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’: POST COVID GENETICS
Felicia Vandervelde
Join Felicia as she speaks about plants new to the market and how they will perform in the Prairies! She will discuss top performers from a wide array of international breeders. Don’t miss out on hearing about the who’s who? Or what’s what? of the plant world.
10:15 AM
GARDEN CENTRE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Rayne Gibson
Join us for an insightful and engaging session on optimizing the design and layout of your garden center to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. This workshop will provide you with practical strategies to improve traffic flow, product displays, and overall functionality of your nursery or garden center.
11:25 AM
SEEING YOUR GARDEN CENTRE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL EYES
Ashleigh Munro & Jill Van Duyvendyk
Join two champions of the Prairie garden centre world on a journey through the International Garden Centre Association’s annual tour.
Ashleigh and Jill will share their top picks from this year’s garden centre tour in Quebec, including innovative ideas, what worked, what didn’t, and what they would change if they had only $10,000 to spend at each stop. This session promises to inspire with the freshest ideas from the garden retailing world.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024
Frontier Room Education Sponsor
7:55 AM
PASSION IS NOT LEADERSHIP
Rayne Gibson
In this thought-provoking keynote, we will debunk the myth and delve into the intricate layers that truly define exceptional leadership.
Embark on a Paradigm-Shift Journey: Discover the power of passion as a driving force but go beyond the surface to explore why it’s not the sole ingredient for effective leadership.
Illuminate the Pitfalls: Explore the limitations of passion-driven leadership and learn from real-world examples where passion alone fell short in the face of leadership challenges.
Unlock the Components of True Leadership: Dive deep into the essential qualities of successful leaders, from emotional intelligence to strategic vision and team collaboration.
Nurture Your Leadership Growth: Walk away with practical insights and actionable strategies to develop and enhance your leadership skills, ensuring you are equipped to lead with purpose and impact.
Ignite Your Leadership Potential: This keynote isn’t just a speech; it’s a call to action! Be inspired to transcend the passion paradigm and embrace the multifaceted dimensions of true leadership.
9:05 AM
TOOLS & TECH TO DRIVE EFFICIENCY
Christopher Thacker
With changing weather patterns, higher costs and the constant drive to do more with less, utilizing tools and technology that can drive efficiency is essential. This session will look at tools like site cameras, liquids and more that can be used to save money, labor and time.
This session brought to you in partnership with:
CARRIERS CANADA
10:15 AM
STABILITY THROUGH THE SUB PROGRAM
Carla Bailey
In this session, we will explore the significance of Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB) programs in the context of today’s ever-evolving workforce. We will delve into the mechanics of SUB programs, their benefits for both employers and employees, and their pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of economic uncertainty. Through real-world case studies, we will examine how SUB programs have been successfully leveraged to bolster workforce stability and enhance employer-employee relationships.
11:25 AM
PANEL: ELIMINATING WINNERS & LOSERS IN CONTRACTS
Brandon Comstock, Chris Hinton
With most snow and ice contract models, there is almost always a perceived winner and loser. Therefore, contractors and their clients are positioned at opposite ends of the success spectrum. Instead, implementing contract structures and terms that even the playing field can ensure everyone wins
ing company expansion. Explore the fine line between strategic growth and potential pitfalls, shedding light on the critical consequences of premature expansion. Understand why timing and thoughtful planning are essential to ensure sustained success in the landscaping industry.
10:15 AM
SERVANT LEADERSHIP: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD AND INSPIRE A HIGH ACHIEVING TEAM
Peter Guinane
Unlock the power of Servant Leadership in this lecture on guiding high-achieving landscape professionals. Discover the importance of leading with humility and empathy, fostering a culture of collaboration and motivation. Explore why servant leadership is the key to unlocking the full potential of your team, creating a harmonious and high-performance work environment in the dynamic landscape industry.
11:25 AM
SPEED ROUND: 60 IDEAS FOR MAKING YOUR COMPANY A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK
Dutch elm disease (DED), black knot of cherries (BKC), bronze leaf disease of aspens (BLD) and Emerald ash borer (EAB). Prairie tree growers are searching for new trees to diversify tree production; however this search has not been easy in the cold prairie zones. Tree improvement research will be discussed in a wide range of species. Nursery innovations for prairie growers and garden centres will be discussed that could add to your productivity and profitability.
10:15 AM
EMERALD ASH BORER IN VANCOUVER: UPDATE AND LESSONS LEARNED
Troy Kimoto
Troy has been working in Vancouver once EAB was identified. He will discuss the EAB interception in 2023 that triggered branch sampling this spring of 2024. Troy will also discuss how the City of Vancouver is approaching the EAB infested area and give a few recommendations about EAB surveillance.
Brad Parker & Grant Harrison
This session brought to you in
Trailblazer I
Education Champion Sponsor
9:05 AM
KILLER GROWTH: AVOID SIMPLE MISTAKES WHEN GROWING YOUR COMPANY
Peter Guinane
‘Killer Growth,’ a lecture dissecting the delicate balance in landscap-
Join Brad and Grant for this fastpaced discussion about things you can do to make yourself an employer of choice with the 50 best ideas in 50 minutes to attract and retain talent to your small business.
Trailblazer II
Education Champion Sponsor
9:05 AM
TREE BREEDING, TRIALS AND PRAIRIE NURSERY INNOVATIONS
Wilbert Ronald
The past 50 years have seen major new diseases and pests come to western Canada. These include
The recent finding of EAB in City of Vancouver is a great concern for Alberta since the number of ash trees growing in Alberta municipalities can reach as high as 40% of the urban forest. EAB is a highly invasive species and is catastrophically destructive to all ash trees in North America which have little or no natural resistance to the EAB attacks. In 2017, EAB was confirmed in Winnipeg. This was a huge jump from CFIA quarantined areas in Ontario and Quebec.
11:25 AM
TREE PROTECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION AND PICKING THE RIGHT TREE FOR YOUR LOCATION
Jeff McManus
Proper trees add value to a landscape while incorrect trees take away value. Across the board, people are very quick to plant any tree versus planting the right tree. In this session, participants will be guided through the factors to consider when picking the tree and the location, including climate, soil type, and space constraints. In addition, Jeff will cover the fundamental principles of protecting trees
during construction. He will explore the common threats to trees on construction sites and introduce basic strategies and guidelines for effective tree protection.
Takeaways:
1. Key factors to consider when selecting a tree species for a specific location.
2. Strategies for ensuring the long-term health and growth of newly planted trees.
3. Understanding the common threats to trees during construction.
4. Basic strategies for protecting trees on construction sites.
Lookout Room Education Trailblazer Sponsor
9:05 AM
APHIDS IN THE GREENHOUSE: IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT
Ken Fry
Aphids are a common pest of vegetables and ornamentals. We will examine the different species of aphids, their habits, what dam-
age they do and how to manage them. There are many different species of aphid so it is important to determine which species you have to optimize detection and in deciding which management tools are best to use.
10:15
AM
BREEDING FOR GARDEN CENTRES: THE STORY OF HOW NEW PLANTS GET TO MARKET
Anik Graves
Every plant you pick up at your local garden centre has a story, and has come a surprisingly long way to end up in your garden. From the breeders who create beautiful new varieties, to suppliers, to the vast amount of trials and testing each plant undergoes, it is no easy task to bring new perennials to market.
This session is sponsored by
11:25 AM
HARNESSING PRECISION LED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPACT PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Glen Uhrig
Light is essential to plant growth and development. It is required
to drive CO2 assimilation from the atmosphere into the building blocks of life required by plants, while also being a key trigger for important plant responses such as shade avoidance, developmental programs and seed / fruit production. In countries such as Canada, horticulture is an important component of the food production landscape. An important component of horticultural food production is the application of artificial light to facilitate plant growth.
Light technologies typically deployed in horticultural plant growth include high-pressure sodium, metal halide or fluorescent lights which are both energetically and economically expensive, in addition to being technologically limited (e.g. producing excess light and heat). Modern light emitting diode (LED) technologies however, represent an exciting, more cost effective and precise lighting alternative.
Therefore, implementation of precision LED light technologies for increased horticulture output represents a timely opportunity given the increasing unpredictability of weather and climate. Using a fully programmable LED light system, we have generated a multi-faceted understanding of how plants respond to different LED-lighting regimens, with our findings demonstrating a clear utility for precision LED technologies in effectively advancing horticultural crop growth into a new paradigm.
