The Porcelain Masterclass: Challenging Landscape Design & Installation FAQ's

Aayush Goel - Porcea Stone Inc.

Understand the future of outdoor porcelain with an in-depth masterclass covering how the product is manufactured, technical advantages and limitations of the product, installation best practices & FAQs. Whether you're a novice or a pro, gain invaluable insights to elevate your outdoor projects by incorporating a new landscape material into your project designs to enhance outdoor spaces. 

Growing trees for the landscape - The importance of water, air and nutrients 

Ryan Munroe - NVK Nurseries

Ryan will summarize some of the trials the Plant Health Team has conducted at NVK Nurseries, with a focus on water, aeration and fertility requirements for different species and stock types grown in the field and containers. In 2024 we will conduct a wide range of trialing to help us determine the efficacy of different irrigation systems, the benefit of different fertilizers and the importance of providing adequate aeration to tree root systems in containers and in the field. Ryan will interpret what we have learned at the nursery and provide practical recommendations for other nursery growers, horticulturalists, urban foresters and landscapers. The goal of the presentation would be to take universal 'tree growing principles' and provide plenty of flexible tools that can be used to help achieve these conditions in landscape.

Beyond the Green: Growing Your Social Media Presence and Reputation - How to Use Social Media to (Actually) Grow Your Business

Diego Lopez - Compass Creative

The Compost Council of Canada serves as the national advocacy and infrastructure development organization dedicated to advancing organics recycling and the return of organic matter back to our soils for ongoing health and vitality as well as a front-line offence/defence to climate change and resiliency. From their Soil Safari to multiple reports, communication initiatives and research programs, the Council has created partnerships with multiple groups and organizations to advance collective missions and causes including the many self-interests to be attained by paying better attention to the care and management of our soils.

The Two Profit Killers for Contractors

Weston Zimmerman - SynkedUP.com

Profit is ultimately the output of a healthy business. And there are a ton of ways to lose it, causing a lot of stress and frustration. That said, I have found that you can simplify the profit suckers down to 2 main categories, which helps clarify your vision for planning for profitability and ensure you don't fall into the common pitfalls that suck your business dry of profits.

We're going to deep dive into each of those two profit killers, and share a game plan for how to overcome them. And, ultimately, ACHIEVE the profits of a healthy business.

Exactly How am I Suppose to Build These Walls

Glenn Herold - Oaks Landscape Products

 Segmental Retaining Walls appear as lines on a site plan with the notation “Designed by Others.” Unfortunately, little consideration is often given to constructability, surrounding conditions (fences/guards, plantings), or final aesthetics. Because the final designs are not completed until just before construction, estimating the unknown is left to the contractor.

This presentation discusses things to consider when tendering wall projects, including tools available to assist with creating an accurate materials estimate, which can make or break your project. We will also look at some of the most common “oversights” that can come back and haunt the contractor when trying to build, obtain certification on, and receive final payment for the wall—the devil is in the details.

What you need to know about Spotted Lanternfly

Cassie Russell - OMAFRA

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species that has spread throughout the Eastern US. SLF feeds on over 70 known host plants many of which are commonly found in our natural and cultivated landscapes and has the potential to be a widespread community pest. While it has not yet been detected in Canada, there have been numerous interceptions of this invasive insects in Ontario. As we prepare for it's eventual arrival, this presentation will cover what folks working in the horiticultural trades should know about this invasive pest in order to properly identify it, report it, and share information with clients and customers. 

Leadership

Peter Guinane - Knowledge Tree Consulting.

"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence." - Sheryl Sandberg    

Better is a direction not a destination, the skill of leadership can be learned, practiced and shared your entire career. 

Fungamentals of Mushroom Identification: Ecology and Basic Fungal ID Skills

Kyle McLoughlin - Ironwood Arboriculture Solutions Inc.

Much like the fruits that trees produce, fungal fruiting bodies are helpful indicators of the species, life cycle and ecological niche that an organism lives in. Beginning to develop skills for ID of plants and fungi often starts with parts of the fruit or fruiting body. Although there are over fifteen different types of fungal fruiting bodies, this workshop will focus on ID skills for fruiting bodies that have the classic agaricoid aka mushroom shape. 

• ID tips for two species of deadly fungi

• Insight into the sheer volume of fruits and fruiting bodies produced in the plant and fungal kingdoms 

• ID skills for three species of fungi that produce mushroom fruiting bodies 

• Discussion of the taxonomic place for ‘mushrooms’ in the fungi kingdom and what proper identification can tell you about the rest of the mushroom 

• Methods for assessing and communicating details about mushroom fruiting body anatomy 

• Review of various gill attachment types 

• Improving recognition skills for good diagnosis 

• An industry case for raising the standard of fungal knowledge for everyone who deals with plants and nature, indoors and out. 

How to Make Wood Last Longer Outdoors

Yuill McGregor - North on Sixty

This presentation discusses the science behind modified and pressure-treated woods as well as woods that naturally weather well outdoors. Yuill McGregor is a Toronto-based builder (R-2000, 1988) and one of Canada's foremost authorities on wood. Yuill’s passion for wood began at age four, when he was given a set of Maple building blocks from his grandmother. He’s been building things ever since. Yuill’s expertise on the subject — from forestry through to building applications — is matched only by his passion for sharing that knowledge with his peers as well as the next generation of designers and builders. His company, North on Sixty, takes on ambitious building projects of all types — most employing the unmatched aesthetic and performance characteristics that only his favourite building material can offer. 

The Importance of Priortizing Health and Well Being in Order to Optimize Output as a Contractor/Business Owner

Charlie Kerrigan - V.I.L Landscaping

Among the trades it's quite niglected business owners taking care of themselfs and they don't see the importace of health and personal development then also question why they get burnt out halfway throgh the spring rush. Also looking at the bigger purpose of what really matter opposed to jumping goal to goal is somthing that needs to be said. "my goal is 5 trucks" or "My problems will be solved when i get to $5M" etc. They won't and people why needs to be bigger then a materalistic goal

2025 Garden Trends

Katie Dubow - Garden Media Group

Why should you care about trends? It’s simple. Trends drive consumers and consumers drive sales. Knowing trends helps you stay relevant and make data-driven decisions to grow your business.

Join Katie Dubow, global trendspotter, president of Garden Media Group and QVC guest host, in this informative session. Katie will outline the seven 2025 Garden Trends, including the color of the year, and offer tips on how to apply each trend to your own business. 

Rural Design Crash Course: Drainage, Septic Systems and Landscaping, Oh My!

Michelle Dada - MNT Consulting Group Inc.

For rural landscaping projects, it is important to consider infrastructure on the property as part of any holistic landscape design. Drainage and environmental features are important to consider along with private onsite services such as wells and septics when considering landscaping projects in rural areas. Increasing requirements for design approvals and processes have necessitated additional design and planning in recent years. Michelle Dada, P.Eng., Designated Consulting Engineer, will share insights gained from nearly 20 years in development planning and engineering experience working with many types of rural designs. From basic drainage and stormwater principles to septic design considerations, Michelle will share practical tips and tricks for landscape professionals working in rural areas including shoreline properties, agricultural + equestrian sites and estate custom homes. 

Underrated Plants for the Residential Landscape

Heather Jerrard - My Landscape Artist

Plants that survive, thrive and are low maintenance

Nighttime Photography

John Higo - Illumicare Group Ltd.

Presenting your job in the best possible light.  Nighttime photography is tricky.  Learn about the gear required, settings, and editing tips to make your projects shine!  Explore beyond cell phone photos, and grainy, dark images, to capture scenes that win awards, and future customers!

Using Technology to Grow your Landscape Business

Tom Murphy - EXT

While landscape technology software offers numerous benefits, it's important to acknowledge potential challenges. One of the scary aspects could be the overwhelming nature of transitioning to a new system. Learning curves and initial setup may feel daunting, especially for those less familiar with technology. Additionally, there could be concerns about data security and privacy breaches, particularly if sensitive client information is stored within the software. Furthermore, dependence on technology may lead to a fear of job displacement or reduced human interaction in the industry. However, with proper training, robust security measures, and a focus on augmenting human expertise rather than replacing it, these challenges can be effectively addressed, ensuring a smooth and beneficial integration of landscape technology software into your operations.

Ecological Landscaping

Karina Lapierre McIntosh - Lavish Gardens Inc.

If you are interested in ecologically-focused landscaping, this seminar is for you. Karina will discuss principles of sustainable landscaping, including the use of native plants, water conservation, ecosystem services, regenerative or dynamic landscapes, environmental stewardship and invasive plants. Also subject to discussion will be various challenges to sustainability in landscape construction.

Ecological landscape designs and builds do not preclude contemporary structural elements. It is possible to create impressive contemporary landscapes while also working toward resilience and biodiversity. Learn how to foster resilience in your constructed landscapes by working with nature, developing dynamic plant communities, restoring habitat for pollinators and other wildlife and improving quality of life for people.

Nurturing Talent: Transforming the Landscape through Apprenticeships and Empowerment

Mark Bradley - LMN

Join us for an insightful seminar led by Mark Bradley, CEO of LMN Software, as we delve into a pressing issue facing the landscape industry: the shortage of skilled laborers. In this dynamic session, we'll explore the transformative power of apprenticeships in bridging this gap and revolutionizing the way we approach talent development. Mark built an Industry Top 100 Landscape Company in only 15 years. One of the major reasons for this success was the focus on developing a highly skilled and motivated workforce to solve the needs of the customers better than the competitors.

Big Ideas for Small Spaces to Meet the Needs of Today's Consumers

Jacki Morra - Planting Inspiration.com

Get ideas on how to uncover the unique needs and wants of today’s consumers looking to create an outdoor oasis in small spaces that are multi functional and low maintenance. Learn how Jackie applied various design concepts from her own backyard oasis, that has been featured in media nationally, to connect to homeowners wanting it all, in a small space.

Jackie will also tie in marketing principles on how to create partnerships that provide a “turn key” approach to project management that will make closing sales easier and ultimately increase customer satisfaction and referrals.