PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 7 SEPTEMBER Plant Geek Day, a first-time event featuring speakers and presentations focused on planting design, plant diseases and new plant applications, went well – for a first run! In 2018, we’ll look to build upon the solid turnout we had this year. The Great Lakes Nursery & Landscape Association’s 2017 Leadership Conference was held in Indianapolis, IN. In attendance were OLA Executive Director (Sandy Munley), President (Cathy Serafin) and President-elect (Marie McConnell). Eight states and one province that border the Great Lakes attended this event to share and discuss problems and solutions shared by landscape professionals in this area. The experience and relationships formed during these two days gave us tools for problem-solving and future growth. OCTOBER This year’s Landscape Facility Tour was held at Brian-Kyles Landscapes of Distinction, in Lorain, OH. Brian’s employees guided the tour through stations which featured facilities, services and employee responsibilities that comprise the overall operation. It was easy to see the pride Brian’s employees take in their roles with the company. All mentioned the huge emphasis Brian places on education as a requirement for advancement. Our second Central Ohio meeting of the year was held at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, OH. The tour covered many areas of the Botanical Gardens, but focused on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Scotts MiracleGro Foundation Children’s Garden. It was a unique opportunity to interact with our Central Ohio membership and see an area not yet open to the general public. NOVEMBER As we wound down our events/education season, all three of our final events were packed! The NE Ohio meeting “Generational Differences in the Workplace” was a highly informative and entertaining look at generational differences through the eyes of a millennial himself, Steve Bench. Steve opened our eyes to the characteristics, flaws and attributes of millennials, and provided a great guide to hiring and working across generations. The “Get Marvinized Sales Training Clinic” was a great success, – to the point that we may have snuck in a few folks over our limit – but don’t tell anyone! Marvin, in only the way Marvin can, helped us learn how to be more than just “a salesperson.” His class really focuses on the skills necessary for building long-
Central Ohio Meeting attendees get a first look at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden, located on the grounds of the Franklin Park Conservatory.
term relationships – useful when creating opportunities for repeat and referral business. And finally, our Dormant Pruning Clinics in both NE Ohio and Central Ohio did very well, again. These half day hands on clinics train crews in the art of pruning, using a step-by-step approach, that provides the basic guidelines of pruning success, while answering all your pruning questions. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR In addition to the events listed above, the OLA and its members have become evermore active in the fight for H-2B reform, taking part in a number of fly-ins to Washington, D.C., in support of the program. For the numerous member companies that use H-2B labor, these workers’ contributions are essential. Sandy was actually part of a very small, hand-picked group of experts asked to meet with the Department of Homeland Security to discuss the topic in July. In closing, I’d like to thank Sandy, our Board of Directors and you – our members – for giving me the opportunity to serve as your president for the past year. The hours and energy spent fulfilling this responsibility have been rewarding and worthwhile. I’ve learned that the landscape profession in Ohio is filled with energetic, hard-working, honest and really funny people. It has been an honor to meet you and share in your membership with the OLA. I wish you all the best in the New Year and hope your days are filled with lots of business and warm laughter! Your president – Cathy Serafin, RLA The Growing Concern | December 2017 | 9