10th iLandscape Knocks it Out of the Park!

Record-setting attendance rocks the exhibit halls and education sessions

Nina A. Koziol

Some things like good wine or bourbon just get better with age. That’s true of iLandscape, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last month with exhibits galore, outstanding education opportunities and many festivities. A whopping 7,000 attendees came to meet vendors, network, learn and party during the four-day event.

“I knew it was going to be a big show, but this was much bigger than I expected,” said ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams. “I feel last year was a soft launch with the snow and the lingering effects of the pandemic. But, good things come to those who wait and people were very excited to be back.”

This year’s “Games in the Gardens” carnival theme kicked off with something new—three pre-show workshops on Tuesday followed by Awards Night that evening. It was record attendance for the awards, where the bubbly flowed and music rang out as revelers honored Charlie Keppel, the Person of the Year; Twixwood Nursery, the Distinguished Service Award Winner; the College of DuPage for Special Recognition on the 50th anniversary of its horticulture program, and several young scholarship recipients.

A first-time mobile app, “Whova,” was introduced to help participants track their show schedules, vendors, rate their education sessions, ask questions, and schedule get-togethers with their peers.

There was a constant, positive vibe in the halls, on the trade show floors and in the classes. And, the many young green industry pros present bodes well for the future. “It’s nice that you can have a landscape architect with 30 years experience sitting next to a municipal worker who has one year,” Grams said.

It was a first-time visit to iLandscape for 22-year-old Jane Olsson who’s with the Lombard Park District. “I find the sessions very useful and I really enjoyed the prairie (Pros at Home: Prairie Two Ways) session,” she said. “My background is in crop sciences and I find a lot of value learning about being more natural in the way we approach landscapes. I can make an impact planting prairie.”

Classes Galore

Besides the three pre-show workshops, this year’s event offered 50 educational sessions and continuing education units (CEUs). Landscape architect Susan Kegan of Susan Kill Kegan and Associates in Chicago said, “I come for the CEU’s and to see the products and get the catalogs.” She knows catalogs are available online but enjoys thumbing through the print versions. “Midwest Groundcovers has a catalog that’s a wealth of information. And, I have clients that want lighting, so I’m visiting the vendors.”

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The Landscape Contractor

March 2023