From business opportunities to education to awards, the latest in new products, networking, environmental information, and just plain partying, Congress 2010 promises to be one of the best shows ever.

Congress takes place at the Toronto Congress Centre from Jan. 12 to 14.

The day before the trade show, on Mon., Jan. 11, a full day of pre-conference specialist symposia takes place. These include the annual landscape designer conference, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) symposium, the irrigation conference and the Certified Landscape Professional seminar on corporate financial management.
 

Prosperity Partners

Congress continues its leadership role with the Landscape Ontario Prosperity Partnership program with a half-day energy workshop on Mon., Jan. 11. Meet and draw advice from the experience of your industry peers and identify your top three ‘must change’ areas to improve your prosperity.

Also on Monday, Congress 2010 will host for the first-time ever, the Ontario Parks Association’s 54th Annual Education Forum. This program is tailored to the professional development needs of both senior parks and public space management and operational staff. Sessions will offer many opportunities to learn and share best practices, expertise and ideas. The highlight of the day’s program is the past presidents’ luncheon and OPA awards presentations.

On Tuesday, the 12th, Congress will open its doors at 9 a.m. with the seminars beginning at 10 a.m. Green Communities and Green Parks runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence gala will take place at 5:15 p.m.
 

Equipment dealers forum

The Canada East Equipment Dealers Association has partnered with Landscape Ontario to present an equipment dealer forum on Wed., Jan. 13. The event is a fantastic learning and networking opportunity for equipment dealer professionals to gain insights in the key areas of sales, marketing and operations. Jim Paluch conducts a three-hour workshop that will help equipment dealers become more effective and profitable. The event is sponsored by Ariens.

Be sure to attend Tailgate Party XIV. One of the most popular events every year, it takes place on Jan. 13, at the Doubletree Hotel, from 5 p.m. to midnight, featuring live music, a buffet dinner and giveaways. It’s a chance for industry members to celebrate in a great relaxed atmosphere.
 

Green for Life Award

The winners of new Green for Life Award will be announced, at the Tailgate Party. The Green for Life Award was created to promote, recognize and reward environmentally responsible professionals in the horticultural, lawn and garden industry. Winners will be drawn from three industry sectors: contractor, landscape design/interior plantscape, and lawn care/maintenance.

Strategies for successful environmental stewardship are detailed in the Environmental Scorecard, a self-evaluation tool developed by Landscape Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Green industry members may take part in a short self-assessment survey to see how their environmental practices measure up. Participants, who complete their scorecards by Dec. 18, will receive a graded report and be eligible to win one of three $1,000 cash prizes courtesy of Turf Revolution. To access the survey go to www.horttrades.com. See the Resources tab, go to Environmental Scorecard.
 

Other highlights

Other show highlights include feature gardens designed by horticultural students, the new product showcase and Landscape Ontario’s annual general meeting.

Top professional speakers on the Conference program include Owen Dell, Jeffrey Scott, Jack Pizzo, Charles Vander Kooi, Claire Sawyers, Joe Uyenaka, Cathy Wall, Roy Prevost, Mark Bradley and Belinda Gallagher.

The sponsors of Congress 2010 and its many different programs are an integral part of the annual event’s success. The sponsors this year are Ariens, Banas Stones, Chrysler Canada, Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport, Turf Revolution, Via Rail Canada, Bobcat of Hamilton, Sittler Environmental and Vermeer Canada.

Visit www.locongress.com for the show’s full list of events and details, and to register online, right up to Jan. 8.