GIE+EXPO Show Information

Louisville, Ky., October 23-25

What sets GIE+EXPO apart from all other shows for your industry? The 20-acre outdoor demonstration area! It is adjacent to the indoor exhibits, within easy walking distance and open throughout the show. About 150 of the show’s 650 exhibiting companies will supplement their indoor booths with three days of demos. Inside the Kentucky Exposition Center, the show will cover 500,000 square feet.

GIE Workshops

Enjoy a special introduction to education sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network. You can hear three outstanding speakers and have additional networking opportunities for only $20 per session.

Preregistration is required.

Thursday, October 23 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Session A

“Pricing and Profitability”

Kevin Kehoe, Kehoe & Co., Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Although this session is directed at contractors, you will benefit from the concepts covered:

• Establishing a general pricing model and price levels
• Determining labor and materials for estimating
• Establishing service line pricing to maximize sales and profits
• Establishing a flexible job-size pricing structure with differential rates
• Determining total customer profit model
• Using price as a marketing weapon

Friday, October 24 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Session B

“Building Leadership Through Personal Power”

Chuck Zamora, Zamora Training, Inc., Mequon, Wis.

Would you like to be better at leading and managing your people? Would you like to have the most powerful tool for becoming a sales pro? If so, you can’t afford to miss this session. Chuck will explore the three major components of personal power: communication, attitude and self-image, followed by goal setting. He will also drill down on the art of communication and teach you the power of a good self-image and how important attitude is in achieving your goals.

Saturday, October 25 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Session C

“Make Friends, Make Sales, The Art of Relationship Selling”

Marty Grunder, Marty Grunder! Inc., Miamisburg, Ohio

The most successful sales professionals are those who understand the value of relationships. In this fun, fast-paced session, you will learn how to improve your selling efforts immediately by learning how to make friends and influence people, making money in the process.

CGM Exam

If you’re interested in pursuing the Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) designation, you’re in luck. Developed and offered by PGMS, it is the premier program of its type in the green industry. With CGM certification, your presentations, requests for funds and equipment, and recommendations carry more weight. PGMS will be offering a reduced $100 testing fee for all of those who are prequalified for the CGM exam by October 1, and registered for the PGMS School of Grounds Management. For further information on the CGM program, visit PGMS online at www.pgms.org.

Daily Schedule

PGMS Offers School of Grounds Management at GIE+EXPO

The Professional Grounds Management Society has announced its faculty and curriculum for the 2008 School of Grounds Management. The event is scheduled for October 23-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

Thursday, October 23

Morning Education
7 – 9 a.m. Breakfast of Champions, Galt House, Daisy Sunflower Room
7:30 am. – 4:30 p.m. PGMS Registration Desk Open, Kentucky Expo Center
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Green Industry Expo, Kentucky Expo Center

This is a three-day showcase of more than 650 exhibitors. You are able to talk to suppliers and network with fellow landscape professionals.

10 – 11:30 a.m. Sustainable Design of the Mixed Garden – Part 1, Kentucky Expo Center

Tracy DiSabato-Aust
One of America’s most entertaining and knowledgeable garden writers and professional speakers, Tracy DiSabato-Aust will help establish you as a valuable go-to source when it comes to sustainable landscape design and maintenance.

The lecture discusses the design fundamentals of border building using a wide palette of plant material. Design steps, color, texture, form, design principles of order, unity and rhythm, garden art, maintenance of the mixed garden, as well as mixed garden designs, vignettes and combinations will be highlighted.

10 – 11:30 a.m. New Concepts in Irrigation Design, Kentucky Expo Center

Warren S. Gorowitz, Ewing Irrigation
Drought, legislative restraints and the push for green practices present a tremendous opportunity for grounds management professionals with a firm grasp on new technologies and concepts in irrigation water management. This course will review the latest water conservation trends happening throughout the country and will highlight the latest water management technology and how you can use it at your facility.

Afternoon Education
2 – 3:30 p.m. Sustainable Design of the Mixed Garden – Part 2, Kentucky Expo Center

Tracy DiSabato-Aust
The second installment of this lecture discussing the design fundamentals of border building using a wide palette of plant material. Learn from an artist and keen plantswoman about creating a gorgeous and environmentally sound mixed garden.

2 – 3:30 p.m. Tree Protection  Kentucky Expo Center

Paul Swartz, Michigan State University
Learn innovative practices to preserve your site’s most valuable resources. Paul Swartz, Michigan State University’s campus arborist, leads a six-person crew in charge of all phases of maintenance and preservation of trees on campus. This includes diagnosis, pruning, removals, insect and disease control, cultural practices, fertilization, hazard tree identification and tree protection in construction zones.

6 – 8 p.m. PGMS Past President’s Dinner TBA

Friday, October 24

Morning Education
7 – 8:15 a.m. PGMS Annual Business Meeting, Galt House / (Continental Breakfast will be Served)

The PGMS Annual Business meeting is held in conjunction with the Annual Conference. This enables as many members as possible a chance to attend. Included in the Annual Business Meeting are the following:

• The election of officers
• Official reporting of the society’s business, fresh from the fall board meeting
• Branch reports
• The chance to ask questions of the officers and board members

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. PGMS Registration Desk Open, Kentucky Expo Center
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Green Industry Expo, Kentucky Expo Center
10 – 11:30 a.m. Take the Mystery Out of Managing and Motivating Employees, Kentucky Expo Center

Melody Templeton
Just as sustainability is an important issue in the green industry, work relationships must be sustainable, too. In this interactive session, we’ll discuss some simple tools for assessing performance and potential of current employees. Participants will also walk away with a simple barometer to measure the relative “health” of their teams,

10 – 11:30 a.m. Managing Green Roofs, Kentucky Expo Center

Bradley Rowe, Michigan State University
You need information on maintaining green roofs and you need it from the best. Look no further, Michigan State University Professor Bradley Rowe is one of the foremost experts on this topic. Learn about the various types of green roofs, how they are constructed, what plant species are suitable, how green roofs impact the environment and how all of these factors influence maintenance.

Afternoon Education
1 – 2:30 p.m. Leading Change from the Front Lines, Kentucky Expo Center

Len Brzozowsk, Xavier Leadership Center
The speed at which the world is spinning doesn’t seem likely to decrease any time soon. Change is all around us. As managers, we must develop the skills to help our teams become not only more comfortable with the idea of change, but to be at its leading edge.

1 – 2:30 p.m. Project Management for “Accidental” Project Managers, Kentucky Expo Center

Melody Templeton
In this session, we’ll identify the knowledge areas and skills that make projects successful, as well as define some basic terms used by project managers around the world. We’ll learn how to apply the universal five-stage project management model and how to develop a project plan and get it started in the right direction.

2:45 – 4:15 p.m. Dealing with Difficult People, Kentucky Expo Center

Tamme Quinn Grzebyk
Some behavioral attributes are hard-wired within each of us. The distinct differences that exist among people, when not understood, can be a source of frustration, team dysfunction and communication breakdown. This program will enable you to understand personality trait differences and to adapt your behaviors in ways that dramatically increase the quality of many forms of human interaction.

2:45 – 4:15 p.m. Building a Customer Service Culture, Kentucky Expo Center

Len Brzozowsk
Delivering WOW customer service is not only about having efficient systems and processes. It requires a deliberate mental attitude among your team members. This program will look at how organizations that deliver great customer service create, implement and reinforce powerful cultures.

Saturday, October 25

Morning Education
7 – 9 a.m. Sustainable Sites Initiative Breakfast, Galt House, Daisy Sunflower Room
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. PGMS Registration Desk Open,  Kentucky Expo Center
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Green Industry Expo
9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Managing Sustainable Sites, Kentucky Expo Center

Tom Flood, Elon University
Sustainability is a topic that’s inescapable. Tom Flood oversees the Grounds Management Course at the APPA Institute for Facilities Management, including a new course about sustainable grounds practices.

9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Effective Management of Snow and Ice Sidewalk Crews Kentucky Expo Center

Denny Baker and Louis Foster, Cincinnati State Tech and Community College
Managing sidewalks and sidewalk crews during a snow and ice event can be challenging for the grounds maintenance manager. Heavy pedestrian traffic and the need for constant, safe access to key areas demands strong and efficient management of sidewalk crews, materials and equipment. Topics of discussion will include:

• Managing a crew: motivating people to do sidewalks
• Sidewalk equipment and deicing/anti-icing materials in the sidewalk application
• Storm response and prioritizing what to do first
• Challenges: thaw/refreeze, steps, heavy foot traffic areas, walking bridges, etc.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CGM Certification: Pathway to Success, Kentucky Expo Center

Monica Higgins, CGM
For over 27 years, grounds managers worldwide have obtained certification through the PGMS Certification Program for Grounds Managers. In today’s competitive world, certification has been a valuable resource for those seeking positions as managers in the green industry. This session describes the how’s and why’s of becoming a certified grounds manager. It also details and shows how one who wishes to become a CGM may do so.

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. What it Means to be “Green” Today, Kentucky Expo Center

Patrick Loaney
In this session, we will explore current trends and emerging technologies in the turfgrass maintenance industry. We will look at: water management; productivity vs. cost savings; environment; energy; alternative fuels; sustainability; and health & safety.

6 – 7 p.m. PGMS Awards/Installation Dinner Reception, Galt House, Couchran Overflow
7 – 9:30 p.m. PGMS Awards/Installation Dinner, Galt House, Couchran Overflow

Separate Ticket Required
9:30 p.m. Post Awards Reception in President’s Suite, Galt House

2008 Green Star Recipients

At the conclusion of the program on the evening of Saturday, October 25, PGMS will announce its 2008 Green Star Award recipients. The Green Star Awards program complements other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction by saluting the grounds superintendent and staff responsible for maintaining a well-manicured landscape year-round.

Sites will be honored in 15 categories: small sites; residential landscapes; public works sites; shopping areas; hospitals or institutions; government buildings or complexes; cemeteries or memorial parks; industrial, commercial sites or office parks; parks, recreation areas or playgrounds; multiple sites under management companies; condominium or apartment complexes; hotel, motel or resorts; amusement parks, theme parks or zoos; athletic fields, professional fields or golf courses; and school grounds, university and college grounds or urban university grounds.

DiSabato-Aust Headlines Education Schedule on Sustainability at PGMS School of Grounds Management

One of America’s most entertaining and knowledgeable green industry experts will be presenting at the 2008 Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) School of Grounds Mangement and GIE+EXPO. Tracy DiSabao-Aust, who has over 30 years of experience, will present a two-part lecture “Sustainable Design of the Mixed Garden,” that will focus on sustainability issues on Thursday, October 23.

With sustainability being such a hot issue in the grounds profession right now, her program will focus on such issues including design fundamentals of border building using a wide palette of plant material and will strive to answer the question, “How do we effectively combine the plethora of woody and herbaceous plants available today?” In regards to sustainable references, she will stress selecting the proper plants for designs, including:

• Long life span (five or more years)
• Tolerant of heat and humidity and drought tolerant
• Cold-hardy
• Deer-proof
• Pesticide and insecticide free
• No heavy fertilizing
• Required infrequent pruning
• Not invasive or overly aggressive

Having earned an M.S. in horticulture from The Ohio State University, DiSabato-Aust’s broad career has included stints such as Longwood Gardens in the U.S., The Montreal Botanical Garden in Canada, the Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium and Knightshayes Court in England.

Additional information, such as online registration, an informational brochure, a full schedule of events, list of faculty and hotel registration materials are available online at www.PGMS.org/2008school.htm, or by calling 800-609-PGMS.

The Dealer Experience—A Guide to Profitability

Benefits for dealers of all sizes:

• Education that provides take-home solutions
• Insights from a petroleum-industry insider
• A Dealer Club for relaxing, checking e-mail, enjoying refreshments and networking
• Networking opportunities with dealers from around the world
• Lunches and other networking opportunities with dealers from around the world
• Be among the best in the industry at the Yard & Garden Dealers in Excellence awards ceremony
• Make your voice heard in the annual Dealers’ Choice Awards, sponsored by Power Equipment Trade magazine

Preregistration is required for all educational sessions.

Obtain expert advice on streamlining your brands, building margins, writing a budget, planning for the next generation, competing with the “big boxes,” utilizing resources available to dealers, providing services that will result in larger profits and much more.

Thursday, October 23
12 – 1:30 p.m. Session 1: Build Beneficial Relationships with Contractors to Build Your Bottom Line
Jeremy Eck, Spruce It Up, Inc., Springfield, Mo.
Todd Reinhart, Reinhart Grounds Maintenance, Inc., Bloomington, Ill.
Juan Vila, Vila & Son, Miami, Fla.
Kurt Bland, Bland Landscaping Co., Inc., Apex, N.C.

1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Session 2: What’s Next: A Look at the Future of the OPE Industry and the Current Energy Situation, a conversation with Fred Whyte, president of Stihl, Inc., and Dan Ariens, president of Ariens Co.

John Felmy, chief economist of the American Petroleum Institute will discuss the fuels marketplace, including refining capacity, prices and the current supply/demand situation.

Dealer lunch/$15 per participant
3 – 4:30 p.m. Session 3: Propel Your Company to Success with Value-Driven Marketing Practices
Jeff Smith, Twin City Outdoor, West Monroe, La.
Ralph Helm III, Ralph Helm, Inc. Lawn Equipment Center, Elgin, Ill.
Shaun O’Connor, O’Connor’s Lawn & Garden, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Kevin Hansut, Gulf Coast Tractor & Equipment, Land O’Lakes, Fla.

Friday, October 24

12 – 1:30 p.m. Session 4: Successful Business Planning 101

Win Big at GIE+EXPO

While you are busy browsing the show floor, test-driving the latest equipment in the demonstration area or taking part in one of the many educational sessions, be sure to enter for your chance to win one of the many industry giveaways at GIE+EXPO.

• In the Trucks of the Industry Giveaway, one lucky GIE+EXPO visitor will win $20,000 toward the purchase of a new truck from one of these exhibitors: Dodge; Ford Commercial Truck; Isuzu Commercial Truck America; GM Fleet and Commercial; International Truck & Engine Corp.; Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America; Toyota Motor Sales USA; and Sterling Truck Corp. The Trucks of the Industry Giveaway is sponsored by Power Equipment Trade and Turf magazines.

• New to GIE+EXPO this year is the Total Landscape Care Dream Package giveaway. Stop by the Total Landscape Care booth and enter for your chance to win over $50,000 in products from sponsors Ford Commercial Truck, Dixie Chopper, Tygar Mfg., EZ Trench Mfg., Dolmar Power Products, Quali-Pro and PRO Landscape Software.

• Ariens and American Airlines are teaming up to give one lucky winner the chance to get away with the GIE+EXPO Refer-A-Friend Sweepstakes! The winner will receive two American Airlines tickets to anywhere in the beautiful Caribbean. Entry is easy. Simply register for GIE+EXPO for your chance to win. However, your chances of winning are limitless. Refer a friend or colleague to the show and you will both be entered into the sweepstakes when they register. (Blackout dates and some restrictions may apply.)

GIE+EXPO Offers Mix of Business and Fun

Visitors at the Green Industry & Equipment Expo will have plenty of opportunities to mix a little fun into this business trip. Events planned by exhibitors will keep the show floor exciting throughout the day. Plus, the outdoor demonstration area—as large as 20 football fields—offers a world of outdoor products for test-driving.

STIHL Lumberjack Challenge
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows will be presenting the STIHL Lumberjack Challenge daily at this year’s GIE+EXPO.

Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows have been seen on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, TNN, ESPN Jeep Trails, Discovery Channel’s The Travelers, MTV’s The Real World and Road Rules, the Family Channel and Outdoor Life Network.

Featured events will include axe throwing, chopping, log rolling, cross-cut sawing, hot sawing and chain saw carving. The STIHL Lumberjack Challenge will hold shows Thursday and Friday at 10:30 a.m., 12: 30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the GIE+EXPO’s outdoor demonstration area.

Outdoor Demonstration Area
Just outside GIE+EXPO, visitors will find the world of outdoor products at their feet. The outdoor demonstration area, open all three days, covers 19 acres and is a shopping playground. Visitors can test new products and shop around for the items that will make them more productive and profitable in 2009.

Kohler Brat Fry
Kohler’s Free Brat Fry is a popular feature that makes a trip to the outdoor demo area even more fun. It will be held Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Trucks of the Industry Giveaway
In addition to many exhibitor giveaways, one lucky visitor will win $20,000 toward the purchase of a new truck from one of these exhibitors: Dodge; Ford Commercial Truck; Isuzu Commercial Truck America; GM Fleet and Commercial; International Truck & Engine Corp.; Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America; Toyota Motor Sales USA; and Sterling Truck Corp. Simply atte