NALP Experience: NCLC

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.

“Obviously with the current situaalong with 33 faculty members, and 100 tion with COVID-19, it was pertinent career fair representatives, workshop to cancel the live event,” says Jason presenters and sponsor representatives. Lex, landscape designer and project “It not only means but shows that director for Exscape Designs, based NALP is dedicated to helping the in Novelty, Ohio. “However, I think this green industry grow even in times of offers a great alternative for employers uncertainty,” says Barrett Chow, director to meet with exciting prospects looking of people operations for Lifescape to begin a career within the industry. I Colorado, based in Denver Colorado. applaud the organizers for being able “It shows that our industry can and is to pivot and hold this event virtually willing to adjust to modern times and with little notice.” provide yet another skill set for our

A total of 154 students attended, future leaders.”

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.”

Many of the exhibitors, like The Greenery, Inc. based on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, had the goal to virtually connect with as many students as possible and let them know more about their company.

“We felt that it was important to continue to be a part of this as we have been over the past few years,” says Jerry Ashmore, director of workforce development and safety for The Greenery. “This is a great opportunity to meet, talk and discuss with the graduates and future leaders of the green industry. We have jobs available and we want them to know we are here for them.”

Chow says aside from chatting with students interested in internships with the company, he also used the event to network and send positive messages to the people he has met and normally interacts with at NCLC.

For Erick Kennedy, a student at Pennsylvania College of Technology studying plant production and landscape technologies, this is his first time attending NCLC.

“My goal for today was to search internship opportunities for this upcoming summer as well as to get a feel for how the next summer’s market is looking, as I will be graduating next May and searching for my next career,” Kennedy says. “I will be attending next year’s NCLC event in Virginia so I will meet many of these companies at that point as well.”

Jade Russell, a senior from Brigham Young University – Idaho who is majoring in horticulture says she wanted to explore the companies she was interested in and talk to representatives from companies she had researched beforehand.

“I want to get a feel for the culture of the companies and narrow them down to see which ones are the best fit for me,” Russell says. “I am primarily here to look at internships because I am interested in completing one this summer.”

The virtual event also featured 12 workshops and educational sessions that students could watch including arboriculture, the power of 3D modeling and a look at robotics and technology. The sessions on green roofs and sales were the most popular workshops attended during the event.

Kennedy says he attended the arboriculture demonstration, the tree inspection protocol, green roofing and 3D modeling workshops.

“I like what they have done with the virtual event, because I get to learn a lot more in one place,” says Devon Smith, a student with Sandhills Community College majoring in landscape and gardening.

The virtual event also featured 12 workshops and educational sessions that students could watch including arboriculture, the power of 3D modeling and a look at robotics and technology.

The sessions on green roofs and sales were the most popular workshops attended during the event.

ÒTHE NEXT NCLC WILL BE HELD MARCH 10-13, 2021, AT VIRGINIA TECH.

At the NALP Resource Center, students could look at various content, including the Women in Landscape network and how to become Landscape Industry Certified. At the Major Sponsor Showcase, visitors could check out information on the platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsors.

“I can’t think of a more resilient, creative, resourceful group of people than landscapers,” Phelps says. “The fact that the association lived up to the expectations of its members by saying ‘Look, we’re not just going to roll over, but let’s get creative here,’ really impressed me. I think it shows exactly what the green industry and what the landscape profession and landscapers and the association is all about.”

For those who couldn’t attend the live virtual event, the content from the event is available on demand until June 30. TLP