Executive Vice President’s Message

The Sun Never Sets on NCNLA

Richard “Rick” Lawhun

NCNLA Executive Vice President Rick

These past few months have certainly

been busy! NCNLA leadership and staff have been working ’round the clock to provide new opportunities to serve and engage with our members. Here are just a few of our past, present and future events.

On June 23, NCNLA hosted the 2022 Technology Symposium at the McKimmon Center on the North Carolina State University campus. The program, which attracted more than 200 attendees, covered a variety of topics, including digital marketing, pesticides, outdoor power equipment, compact construction equipment and automation. Feedback was extremely positive, as attendees enjoyed the educational sessions and opportunities to interact with exhibiting sponsors. NCNLA will host a slightly modified event in 2023, so be certain to watch for details.

On June 24, Kevin and Robby Cagle hosted the 2022 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament at Riverwood Golf Club in Clayton, NC. Participation in this year’s event was down slightly due to a last-minute change in venue, but we anticipate our usual numbers in 2023 when we return to Lochmere Golf Club in Cary, NC. Proceeds from this event benefit the NCNLA Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to horticulture and landscape students who plan to pursue careers in the industry. Make plans to join us on June 16 next year for an afternoon of fun and prizes.

Also on June 24, the NCNLA Board of Directors met at Riverwood Golf Club, which allowed board members to participate in the golf tournament or just hang around to greet friends and colleagues participating in the event. The outdoor setting made for an extremely enjoyable and productive board meeting.

As a reminder, we have a couple of events coming up on our schedule: • Aug. 31, 2022: Caterpillar will host NCN-

LA Day at its facility in Clayton, NC. The half-day program, which begins at 1:00 p.m., will include a tour of one of the area’s leading equipment facilities and help members learn about the solutions Caterpillar has to offer the green industry. A networking cookout beginning at 3:00 p.m. will complete the afternoon. A $10 registration fee goes to the

NCNLA Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit ncnla.com. • Jan. 16-20, 2023: Green & Growin’ 23 returns to Greensboro, NC. Mark your calendar and plan on joining us at the largest industry trade show in the Southeast. G&G’ 23 includes a few new events that you won’t want to miss. Additional information regarding the education program, marketplace and social events will be available soon at greenandgrowin.com.

On a final note, the NCNLA Board of Directors voted to resign its membership with the North Carolina Green Industry Council, effective April 15, 2022. As NCNLA President Kevin Cagle noted, “the needs of NCNLA members must be a priority, and we feel we can better meet those needs by implementing our own advocacy efforts. In guiding our own advocacy program, we will be able to focus on state and national legislative and regulatory issues critical to our industry, including labor, research, pesticides, safety and transportation.”

As a part of the decision, the board discussed the need to create an active Legislative Committee to develop and effect the association’s initiatives. NCNLA Vice President/Secretary/Treasurer Tim Johnson noted, “In creating an NCNLA Legislative Committee to guide advocacy, we will be able to mobilize more quickly and better control our message. Many of our members are well versed in promoting and protecting the needs of the green industry, and we want to provide an opportunity for them to contribute in a meaningful way.” Matt Hunter of New Garden Landscaping & Nursery agreed to serve as chair of the inaugural NCNLA Legislative Committee. If you would like to serve on the committee, please send your information to info@ncnla.com.

As always, stay well and stay passionate about the industry you love!