IGIA to the Family brings benefits and much more

advance legislation or provide information on new plants and products. At the same time, we can connect landscape and nursery professionals to training and education in their own parts of the state. The long-term success of this unification will stem from our ability to react both locally and statewide. To accomplish that, we are not only improving our mindset, but our infrastructure as well.”

IGIA’s Kellie Schmidt is now the Statewide Director of Development. “Members will have access to more programs and education than they had before because there are more resources, more structure and more support with a larger association. Sometimes we have a tendency to think that if we’re not in the same geographic area, we don’t have the same issues. When things pop up on the political front — like paid leave for all — we were able to do a webinar in April, which we didn’t have the resources for [as IGIA]. With Scott and I working together on the legislative front with the existing committee it offers stronger coverage for all segments of our industry.”

Carol Rakers, owner of Creative Garden Services in Quincy, Illinois, has been a long-time IGIA member. She and her husband are growers and she does design and installation for residential clients. “I’m all for unification. I’d felt excluded because we’re in this part of the state and I’m thrilled to be part of a bigger organization. I think it will serve our members better. There will be a lot of good things to come out of it. Scott and Kellie are the dynamic duo.”

Grower Becky Thomas of Spring Grove Nursery in Mazon, Illinois, is a past president of IGIA. “When we started our business 24 years ago, the first thing we did was join IGIA and ILCA. I’ve always been a fan of both groups unifying even though they serve different segments of our industry in different ways. But when it comes down to it, we’re all on the same team.” She viewed ILCA members as people she sold to, while IGIA members were people she collaborated with. “Now, we can