Chris Heiler | November 4, 2010

I returned from Louisville, Kentucky this past Saturday with my head spinning and a bit exhausted. The reason? My very first PLANET Green Industry Conference and GIE+Expo!

I have to say: I was blown away and thoroughly impressed with the event.

Now that I've had a few days to wrap my head around the experience I'd like to share some take aways with you.

#1 Get involved

Even in a bleak economy, now is not the time to watch from the sideline. Now more than ever we need all the benefits our industry trade associations offer us.

I was so impressed with the peer to peer networking at this event and the genuine relationships many of these professionals have forged over the years. I truly felt privileged to be a part of it.

I was impressed with PLANET--the Professional Landcare Network. The educational tracts they offer are second to none and the member benefits are extremely valuable (learn more in this interview with Shaine Anderson, VP of Membership and Services, and Jason Cupp and myself).

#2 Genuine optimism

My good friend Jason Cupp and I, in collaboration with Lawn & Landscape magazine, had the privilege to interview almost 20 Green Industry leaders, executives, contractors, and suppliers on Thursday on the GIE+Expo floor.

Almost all of these folks shared a genuine sense of optimism about what the future holds for our industry. It was hard not to feel optimistic with a record number of attendees at the trade show.

#3 Sustainability matters

I was impressed--and surprised--by how much attention is being paid to sustaiability issues. A majority of the people Jason and I spoke with described what their companies are doing as it relates to sustainability.

Bill Harley and Kris Kiser of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) discussed the measures that manufacturers are taking on the path to greater sustainability, as did Bill Engler of Ariens and Roger Phelps from Stihl.

It's nice to know that everyone from designers and contractors to equipment manufacturers are moving in the same positive direction.

#4 Keep it lean

A lot of people Jason and I spoke with mentioned how this economy has forced them to become leaner companies.

They've cut wasteful spending and processes. They've made their businesses more efficient to keep up with a decline in sales and growth.

What can you do to become a leaner company?

#5 Social media and relationships

I'm an even bigger fan of social media now than before I left for Louisville.

It's amazing how many people I was able to meet up with at GIC because we built a relationship previously through social media. I was never bored, that's for sure!

Social media is all about relationships. I love how you can begin a relationship online and then seemlessly transition offline and build an even stronger bond with someone.

#6 Our Green Industry

We work in an incredible industry.

There are some truly inspiring professionals doing amazing work in every segment of the Green Industry. Design, construction, maintenance, suppliers, manufacturers, there are big time leaders in our industry--some real super stars.

#7 Embracing technology

Everyone has an iPhone evidently--except me.

I was mocked constantly. I was harassed each time I pulled my twelve pound Nextel from my pocket (not an easy task by the way). "Do you have a Twitter app on that thing?" I was asked. Of course not, it doesn't even have text!

Technology is rapidly changing everything--the way we communicate, how we meet people, how we learn, and how we market our businesses.

It's time we embrace it.

Therefore, I'll be sure to have a shiny new smart phone before next year's conference :-)

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