Association News

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ANLA Announces Clinic Sponsors, Hosts Blog Spectacular

The American Nursery & Landscape Association announced the sponsors for the 2009 ANLA Management Clinic. Novalis continued its platinum sponsorship and was joined by returning sponsors Master Nursery Garden Centers/New Growth Marketing, Border Concepts, the Independent Garden Center Show and Yamaha’s golf car division.

ANLA hosted the Clinic Early Bird Blog Spectacular, posting a new entry on the 2009 Management Clinic blog every hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on December 18, 2008. Industry leaders, including business owners, consultants and editors, provided ideas for managing costs, driving sales, targeting new customers and motivating staff in the midst of strong economic concerns.

IA Offers Point of Connection

The Irrigation Association introduced a new networking and educational conference designed for owners and managers of irrigation contracting and service companies. Point of Connection was held at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Jekyll Island, Ga., January 28-30. John Eggleston and Kurt Thompson, IA instructors, presented technical sessions focused on enhancing revenue streams.

News from PLANET

The Professional Landcare Network held a three-day Crystal Ball meeting at Hunter Industries in San Marcos, Calif., to discuss “Innovating Toward a Sustainable & Profitable Future.” The purpose of the meeting was to develop a better understanding of business models that work productively with sustainability and balance profitability; to begin drafting a statement of intent and a plan for follow-through to create positive momentum among industry stakeholders; and to work to align or surpass standards of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. The group plans to establish a sustainable task force and have a follow-up meeting and an online forum to continue discussions.

PLANET has launched the Lawn & Landscape Issues Communication Toolkit, an online information center containing resources and Web sites related to timely green industry legislative issues. The toolkit is available in the legislative section of PLANET’s Web site, www.landcarenetwork.org, and will be updated as additional material becomes available to address new issues and concerns.

To support its new program called PLANET Day of Service, set for April 22, 2009, PLANET has launched a Web site, http://www.planetdayofservice.org. The annual event is an opportunity for PLANET members, state associations, supplier members and other PLANET partners to come together across the country for a day of giving back to their communities through volunteer landscape, lawn care or tree care projects. The Web site is a one-stop shop for members organizing their Day of Service events. They can register their company and project, see the locations of other events and get project ideas and tips for planning and running events.