3 minute read
ILCA ventures southwest for contractor event
Putting the Illinois back in ILCA
by Scott Grams
The ILCA held its first co-located educational event in a decade with the Illinois Green Industry Association on March 1, 2022. The event was held at Stoneleaf Nursery in Eureka, IL and welcomed over 300 attendees. This blew past even the most optimistic expectations for the inaugural program.
“Spring Training was an event three years in the making. ILCA and IGIA agreed to conduct a joint training event back in 2019 with a plan to roll it out in 2020,” said Scott Grams, Executive Director of the ILCA. “When the pandemic hit, we had to mothball the planning for a combined program and focus on other efforts. Finally, we settled on spring of 2022 and were prepared to move forward under any circumstances. I am blown away at how successful this partnership was and the desire statewide landscape professionals had for this first year program.”
Both organizations selected the Peoria-area as it had the most ILCA and IGIA members and statewide contractors within an hour’s drive. Kellie Schmidt, Executive Director of the IGIA was familiar with Stoneleaf Nurseries annual kick-off program and felt co-locating with that successful program would be wise. Once the ILCA, IGIA, and Stoneleaf sat down to plan, the event took on a life of its own. No one could have expected the size and support of the local market.
Father John and son Sam Cotrell as well as their personal and professional families were gracious hosts. They not only provided the facility, catering, and marketing assistance, but they also served as speakers and moderators. Stoneleaf employees provided onsite assistance from setting up tables and chairs to coffee service to serving delicious brisket from a local smokehouse.
Attendees came from towns all across central, southern, and western Illinois. The furthest distance traveled clocked in at three hours. Two educational theaters were set up in the immaculate greenhouse and shop.
The program was divided into a Technical track and an Owners and Msanagers track. Members of the ILCA Technical Skills Committee were paired with IGIA members to jointly handle the program development and instruction. This partnership made sure content included local flavor and plant palettes. (continued on page 18)
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Sessions included:
• Math Rules & Plan Reading • What to Expect with Green Goods in 2022 • Woody Plant Identification • Managing Plant Warranty Issues • Tree & Shrub Planting & Pruning Tips • Landscape Business Owner Panel • Job Site Efficiency • Don’t Be that Guy: A Refresher on Etiquette &
Customer Service
The training sessions were just part of the day. Sponsors were provided tables and demonstration spaces to show off products and equipment. Each vendor also supplied raffle prizes that were given out to attendees at the middle and end of the program. These ranged from hand pruners to apparel to equipment to large gift baskets to bratwursts! Spring Training was sponsored by:
• Blunier Implement • Fosters, Inc. • Hoerr Nursery • Illinois Central College • Peoria Brick Company • Power Planter, Inc. • SiteOne Landscape Supply • Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. • Techniseal • Trinity Stone • Vermeer Midwest • Weber MT • The Toro Company DBA Unique Lighting • Foster Brothers Wood Products, Inc.
This wildly successful program bodes well for future partnerships between the ILCA and IGIA. The mission of both organizations is to improve the knowledge and professional practices of members across the state. It felt great to break out of the Chicagoland area and find an audience as hungry for training as they were for the brisket.
