Th e Story of Fire & Ice

as told by... Swaine Nelson, Head Gnome

nce upon a time, in the history of this fine association, two rivals sparred for the members’ attention. They were: FIRE, representing the green side of the industry warmed by the sun and ICE the upstart profit center trying to feed contractors over the winter months.

FIRE and heat had traditionally owned the summer with its long-running Summer Field Day. But as time passed, ICE grew more and more important demanding greater attention before the flakes began to fall.

At first, Summer Field Day and Summer Snow Days existed independently from one another. It did not take long for ILCA to realize Fire and Ice should both be invited to the same party. At that moment, Fire & Ice was born to bring value to landscape and snow professionals, regardless of the season.

The Snow and Summer Field Day committees joined forces to bring us the new event. It is timed perfectly for the beauty of the landscape season, while remembering the necessary midsummer preparations for winter.

Fire & Ice are competitors no longer. They are friends, partners, buddies, and comrades. Their alliance provides the blue flame that keeps this industry burning the entire year round.

And so it is...

by Meta L. Levin

Fire & Ice meet again, on August 3, 2023.

On that day, ILCA members will descend on Ball Horticultural Co. in West Chicago, IL for the Fire & Ice Landscape and Snow Expo, an outdoor trade show for the green industry and snow professionals, where you will find Fire embracing Ice.

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