LM education returns for 2023 Equip Exposition show

We couldn’t help but smile when LM columnist and longtime industry consultant Jeffrey Scott flashed the cover of our August 2018 cover featuring Drost Landscape during his seminar. (Photo: LM Staff)

Following the success of the inaugural yearlong partnership, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and Landscape Management will again work together to provide top-level educational seminars at Equip Expo 2023.

“We’re excited to move forward with Landscape Management and our Equip education sessions … year one was a success and we foresee year two going even better,” Kris Kiser, CEO of OPEI and Equip Expo, told LM. “Part of the success comes from listening to the feedback of what attendees want. We listened, and LM listened. The success of the show requires us to listen to the attendees and tailor it to the needs of the landscapers.”

Bill Roddy, publisher of LM, said he’s thrilled with the success of the inaugural year and looks forward to having the extra experience to build on in year two.

“We were already in the business of educating and assisting our readers,” Roddy said. “We present education in every issue of the magazine, on our website, on our various social media channels and at our LM Growth Summit. With the addition of Equip Expo, we’ve added another way to help spread education and insights to our readership.”

The 2023 Equip Expo takes place Oct. 17-20 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. 

To register for all Equip Expo educational sessions, you’ll first need to register to attend the show. Register for Equip Expo by following this link to get a 50 percent discount on your Equip Education registration. During the registration process, you’ll be prompted to add educational sessions. 

List of courses for 2023: 

Growing Profitability Using Open Book Management and KPIs: For a company to succeed, a business owner needs employees to buy-in to the company’s goals. Being transparent and sharing key performance indicators takes courage but can take a company from good to great. Learn how open book management can maximize the performance of your sales team, your crews and even yourself. Hosted by Jeffrey Scott, Wednesday, 12:30-2 p.m.

Don’t Just Think, Know the Value of Your Business: Owners think they know what their business is worth until they go to sell it … and then they get a rude awakening. Avoid that moment and know exactly what your business is worth. This session covers business valuation methods and how to build value in a business to sell it at a higher price. Presented by Phil Harwood, Wednesday, 2-3 p.m.

How to Exit with Style: You’ve worked your butt off, risked everything and made lifelong sacrifices to grow your business. And now you’ve decided it’s time to leave. But is this going to be the highest, or lowest moment of your professional life? What has caught other business owners by surprise? This panel helps make sure you exit the company with grace and style and most of all, as a winner. Moderated by Judy Guido, panelists include: Ed Bates, BrightView Don Winsett, Davey Tree Expert Co. Evan Shufflebarger, HeartLand, Wednesday, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Your Company, Your Culture: Back by popular demand! In a time in America dubbed ‘The Great Resignation,’ what are you doing to keep employees from seeking greener pastures? It goes beyond hiring the occasional food truck or hosting a killer holiday party. Panelists discuss what they do to make their company a place where employees not only go to work but want to work. Moderated by Seth Jones, panelists include: Larry Ryan, Ryan Lawn & Tree Brian Brueggeman, Bruce Wilson & Co. Taylor Milliken, Milosi, Wednesday, 4-5 p.m.

Electric and Alternative Fuels — Are You In?: So much of the equipment at Equip Expo trends toward battery power and alternative fuels. Is this the time for your company to buy-in, or is it best to quietly observe for another few seasons? This panel of experts will convince you one way or the other. Moderated by Christina Herrick, panelists include: Joel Honeyman, Bobcat Charles Brian Quinn, Greenzie Michael Bedell, Bedell Property Management Steven Zbrozek, Oregon Tool, Wednesday, 4-5 p.m.

Strategies for Supply Chain Success: A supply chain strategy and reliable partners have never been so important to the success of a landscaping company. Learn how to create a Supply Chain Management (SCM) strategy and build a team of leading suppliers to help reduce costs, maximize efficiencies and get the greatest return on investment from your supply chain partners. Moderated by Judy Guido, panelists include: Dan Wurgler, Ewing Outdoor Solutions Anthony Luciano, Central Turf & Irrigation Supply, Thursday, 9-10 a.m. 

The Ultimate Succession Plan: Setting Up Your Business to Run Itself: So, you were able to take a few weeks away from your business around the holidays? Bravo. But what if you were able to take a month away, or longer? Learn how to manage your numbers, improve your company’s profits and empower your team so you can take more than a few days off every December. Hosted by Jeffrey Scott, Thursday, 10-11:30 a.m.

Mastering the Numbers: Building Business Acumen: Landscape contractors at all levels of the organization will learn the importance of understanding their numbers and how to use them to make informed business decisions. Topics covered will include financial statement analysis, budgeting and forecasting and key performance indicators. How does a company read, understand, position and leverage the market so that it not only survives but thrives? With better business acumen. Presented by Ken Thomas and Ben Gandy, Thursday, 12-1 p.m.

Gen Z and Me — Attracting and Retaining a Young Workforce: There’s good news when it comes to hiring and inspiring younger generations: it can be done. Our panel of landscape business owners and industry insiders discusses how they found a way to bridge the age gap at their companies and get everyone to do more than just get along. Moderated by Seth Jones, panelists include: Larry Ryan, Ryan Lawn & Tree
Tito Caceres, Bloom Partners Talent Solutions Fred Haskett, TrueWinds Consulting Michael Bedell, Bedell Property Management, Thursday, 1-2 p.m.

Scaling for Success: Strategies for Growing Your Landscaping Business: Landscaping business owners will learn key strategies and techniques to scale their businesses and achieve growth. Topics covered will include market analysis, identifying and targeting new customer segments, building a strong team and implementing efficient systems and processes. Attendees will leave with a clear plan to take their business to the next level and achieve long-term success. Presented by Ken Thomas and Ben Gandy, Thursday, 2-3 p.m.

17 Trust-Based Secrets of Closing the Sale: Are you tired of abrupt sales endings and struggling to build trust with potential buyers? Using real-life case studies as examples, this engaging and informative session shows the power of honesty and humor for building trust. Trust is not something to be feared, but embraced. Incorporating it into every aspect of the sales approach gains the respect of buyers and closes more deals. Presented by Jeff Korhan, Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m.

Lead or Get Out of the Way: Keys to Developing Strong Leadership Skills: These panelists wouldn’t be where they are today without strong leadership skills. Learn the essential skills and techniques needed to become effective leaders from some of the best in the business. Topics covered will include communication, motivation, team building, problem-solving and strategic planning. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of their leadership style and the methods to create a positive and productive work environment, that will ultimately drive their business forward. Moderated by Christina Herrick, panelists include: Jackie Gachina, Gachina Landscape Management Denise Mulliken, Hunter Industries Sam Gembel, Atlas Indoor Joshua Malik, Joshua Tree Experts, Friday, 9-10 a.m.

The Easy Button — How Technology is Changing the Way We Do Business: Clients have crossed over from wanting attention and customer service to wanting anonymity and convenience. One-click payments over handshake agreements. And now, new technologies like artificial intelligence tools are becoming an everyday part of life. Experts discuss how companies can embrace new technology to make their customers happy with the added benefit of becoming a more streamlined, efficient operation. Moderated by Seth Jones, panelists include: Mike McCarron, Image Works Landscape Management Scott Horoszewski, Landscapes by Acme Jeff Wraley, Groundwork Utkarsh Sharma, Site Recon, Friday, 10-11 a.m.

Recruit, Retain and Reward a Diversified A-team: Everyone is happy when everyone is making money. The key is building and retaining an A-Team that is aligned, accountable, contributing and sharing in the company’s success. The knowledge and easy-to-implement tools in this panel can be applied tomorrow to scale your team and build a profitable and valuable company. Moderated by Judy Guido, panelists include: Brisa Zamudio, Gachina Landscape Management Katie Veltema, BrightView Shelly Hester, Hunter Industries, Friday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.