Attendee Registration is now open! Click here to download the registration form or register online here!

View the two-day schedule here! (subject to change)

Speakers and Topics Include:

Keynote Speaker – Jeff McManus
Director of Landscape, Airport, and Golf Services, University of Mississippi
Best Selling Author
Inspirational Speaker

Growing Weeders Into Leaders

Based on his book, Growing Weeders into Leaders, this motivational keynote presentation is based on Jeff’s G.R.O.W. theory that explores Great Teams, Raising Results, Offense Scores and Winners Win. In this session, Jeff will discuss ways to invest and grow employees and leaders in any organization, which is key to long-term success.

It’s Not About the Paycheck

Of course, the paycheck is important, but breaking through to passion and purpose only happens when we rethink conventional business wisdom. How do you re-train yourself, your organization, to think differently? How do you foster an environment where it’s safe to do it, where purpose and passion can thrive without destroying your business? In this clever and engaging session, Jeff debunks myths about success, shares unforgettable stories and research, and rouses an audience up, preparing them to actively consider their own passion and purpose.

Tim Abbey, Penn State Extension: Emerging Ornamental Plant Pests for Nursery Plants/Landscapes

This presentation will discuss key insect and disease problems that are growing concerns for ornamental plant pests. Some are not new, such as needle cast diseases of needled evergreens, while others are increasing their distribution in the United States, such as crape myrtle bark scale. Identification, biology, damage symptoms and management options will be discussed.

Ariana P Torres, Ph.D., Purdue University: Drive Sales of Native Plants Through Understanding Consumer Perceptions

A presentation that covers the consumers’ perceptions towards native plants. Dr. Torres will also provide the most important factors influencing purchasing of native, including pollinators preferences and perceptions regarding sustainability.

Other Topics

Family Medical Leave Update
Scouting Box Tree Moth and Other Things to Look Out For
Safeguarding Lives: Empowering Individuals with Fundamental Personal Safety Knowledge and Enhanced Situational Awareness
Empowering Change: The Electrification of Tools and Technologies
Pesticide Safety
Storm Water Management in Connecticut: An Update on Efforts to Reduce Impacts and Enhance Resiliency

Registered Exhibitors (1/22/2024)

Aquarius Landscape Supply
AT&T
Ball Seed Company
Big Boy’s Toys, LLC
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Connecticut Green Bank
Connecticut Mulch Distributors, Inc.
Dayton Bag and Burlap
Denali Corp.
Earthlife by Casella
East Coast Nurseries
Green Envy Products, LLC
Griffin Greenhouse Supplies
Harnois Greenhouses
Henry F. Mitchell Co.
Ideal Block
Integrity Merchant Solutions
Lyman Agency, Farm Family Insurance
MB Tractor and Equipment
Northern Nurseries
Pierson Nurseries
Planters’ Choice, LLC
Prides Corner Farms, Inc.
Prosource Plus
SiteOne Landscape Supply
Summer Hill Nursery
Supreme Forest Products
Texpak
UCONN Extension
USDA, APHIS, PPQ
USDOL/Wage and Hour Division
Well Lit