THE NALP EXPERIENCE
NCLC Event Goes Virtual By Jill Odom THE 2020 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE LANDSCAPE COMPETITION WAS held in a markedly different manner this year due to the cancellation of the traditional NCLC event in March at Michigan State University. Rather than not hosting an event at all, NALP developed a virtual event for students, landscape professionals and suppliers to attend and network on April 7-8. along with 33 faculty members, and 100 “Obviously with the current situacareer fair representatives, workshop tion with COVID-19, it was pertinent presenters and sponsor representatives. to cancel the live event,” says Jason “It not only means but shows that Lex, landscape designer and project NALP is dedicated to helping the director for Exscape Designs, based green industry grow even in times of in Novelty, Ohio. “However, I think this offers a great alternative for employers uncertainty,” says Barrett Chow, director to meet with exciting prospects looking of people operations for Lifescape Colorado, based in Denver Colorado. to begin a career within the industry. I “It shows that our industry can and is applaud the organizers for being able willing to adjust to modern times and to pivot and hold this event virtually provide yet another skill set for our with little notice.” future leaders.” A total of 154 students attended,
14 The Landscape Professional //May/June 2020
Platinum sponsor STIHL has been the lead sponsor for 20 years, and Roger Phelps, corporate communications manager for Stihl says whether NCLC is live or virtual they are here to support these students, who are the future of the green industry. “It means so much to me that NALP created this virtual link!” says Callie Roseman, a sophomore from the University of Mount Olive majoring in agriculture education. “My team and I were so excited to compete in Michigan and when our university sent us an email that we were not allowed to go, it really put us down. We had worked so hard and it felt like it was all being taken away from us. Then our professor told us about the virtual tour, and we all got excited again! It means so much that the organizers care so much about us and our futures to put in the time to create this!” The average time students spent at the live virtual event over the two days was five hours and 29 minutes. “I really enjoy how NALP leveraged their resources to still be able to provide students a NCLC experience in the virtual environment,” says Stephen Vaiano, a junior from UMass Amherst majoring in horticulture. “I think that NALP really strives to connect the next generation of green industry professionals and takes a great deal of responsibility to make sure that professional connections are made between students and prospective employers.” At the career fair portion of the event, there were 40 exhibitors. Despite the unique circumstances, both landscape professionals and students attending the career fair went in with a plan to network. “We still wanted to participate because we believe in connecting with the students and keeping our name out there,” says Kathryn McLane, business manager with Green Summit Landscape Management. “Our company is only five years old and we are trying to have students, schools, and professors familiar with our name, values and we would like to create relationships with schools and professors so that we can make connections with their best students. We are in a growing industry and are always looking for top talent and attitude.”
