Note: Saturday is the Interiorscape Expo, an all-day event that includes interior plantscape seminars (listed below), lunch, Expo venders, reception, and a copy of Tips on Managing Problems in Interior Plantscapes. The pre-registration price is $155; the OFA and ANLA discount price is $130.

 

Interioscape Expo Exhibitors:

Bernecker’s Nursery	Michael’s Nursery
Cal-Palm Growers Inc	NewPro Corp
Hawaii Export Nursery Association	Tournesol Siteworks
Kaddy Products	Plants in Design
Kraft Gardens	Primescape Products
Living Colors	Tropical Computers

 

 

Interiorscape Expo Seminars:

9am-9:30am
Techs - No More! It's an Industry of Customer Service
Knowledge leaders: MJ Gilhooley
Sponsored by Tropical Computers
The “front line” of any interiorscape company are the technicians. While their technician knowledge is critical, how they handle that regular interaction can make or break the company’s contract with that client. Therefore, they are what makes this a customer service industry! Participants will learn the importance of being customer service agents, and will get the methods to polish up customer service

9:40am-10:40am
G-Forces at Work - Exploring Generations in the Workforce
Knowledge leaders: Jill Silman
Sponsored by Cal-Palm Growers Inc A phenomenon never experienced before - there are four different generations in our workforce. Learn what motivates each generation, what will attract them to your company, and what will keep them there to achieve business success. After this session, you will be able to understand generational values, uncover generational motivations, and manage each generational force more effectively.

9:40am-12pm
Got Plant Problems? Hands-On Seminar
Knowledge leaders: Ken Brewer, Lynn Griffith
Sponsored by Bernecker's Nursery
Get "down and dirty" with this hands-on seminar. After the hands-on portion, Lynn and Ken will discuss the identified disorders of tropical foliage plants, including nutritional, disease, insect and physiological disorders, with emphasis on interiorscape situations. The causes, physiological effects, treatment options, and prevention will be covered. (1 hour 6B)

10:45am-12pm
Exteriors - From Containers to Streetscapes
Knowledge leaders: David Gianneschi
Sponsored by Primescape Products
Learn from various projects this firm has done regarding streetscape design, installation, and planning for implementation of successful maintenance programs. Grace will use real examples to share details of what works and what doesn’t in successful streetscape programs. A focus on containers will include plant material selection and ways to enhance efficiency with maintenance and change-out

12pm-1:30pm
Lunch & Interiorscape Expo
Lunch and this unique opportunity to visit with vendors is included in your registration. Attend lunch to receive your copy of Tips on Managing Problems in Interior Plantscapes. This will surely be the buzz the rest of the day.

1:40pm-2:40pm
Plants not Performing? Who's to Blame?
Knowledge leaders: Judi Wolf, Gina Moore, Alex Fell, Lynn Griffith
Sponsored by Living Colors Nursery Inc
In the last 10 years, Florida growers have invested a lot of time and resources into better growing facilities and advanced improvements in growing skills/technology to produce a "better" product. Yes, interiorscapers complain that the plant material they install today on their jobs does not perform as well as the plant material did 10 years ago. Two leading Florida nurseries/growers (note: mg still confirming 2nd grower speaker) and two regional interiorscape company representatives will try to answer this question. Dan Johnston, a local tropical foliage wholesaler, will facilitate this question and answer session.

2:45pm-3:30pm
Hawaiian Tropicals: Say Aloha and Get a (Orchid) Lei
Knowledge leaders: Paul Needleman
Sponsored by Hawaii Export Nursery Association
Learn from an industry expert about the value of tropicals. Discover if they are really worth the extra money; tips to help them perform better on the interior job; and how to test lava soil for moisture.

3:30pm-4pm
Gnats! The Final Resolutions
Knowledge leaders: Lynn Griffith
Sponsored by Ipm Laboratories Inc
Get up-to-date information on fungus gnats and shore flies. Learn about their biology, the problems they create, and treatment strategies. Find out the cultural, chemical, and biological options available.

4pm-5pm
Interiorscape Expo & Reception
UNWIND WITH YOUR OWN KIND! This reception is YOUR time to relax with your peers and key suppliers. Come have some fun while networking.

 
Sunday, July 13

9am-1pm
PLANET Exams
PLANET will offer four written exams at the OFA Short Course. If you want to earn a credential in some aspect of interiorscaping, landscaping, or turf care, select one of these programs. All exams are multiple-choice format and candidates are allowed four hours to complete the exam.

CLP – Certified Landscape Professional – is a program for business owners or managers and covers business management topics. All new exam and study material was developed in 2005.

 

CLT-I – Certified Landscape Technician – Interior – is a program for interior technicians who service accounts. The study material covers horticulture, maintenance, pesticide usage, plant ID, and customer service.

 

COLP – Certified Ornamental Landscape Professional – emphasizes tree and shrub maintenance procedures with a concentration on landscape trees and ornamental woody plant physiology, health care management, and establishment.

 

CTP-CSL – Certified Turfgrass Professional – Cool Season Lawns – covers essential knowledge needed by a turfgrass manager in northern growing zones.

 

The study material includes weed, insect, and disease identification/control. PLANET Exam Registration: A separate registration fee is required for these exams. Order study material and download registration forms at the PLANET web site, www.landcarenetwork.org. Contact PLANET at 800-395-2522 with questions or assistance in registering. All exam registrations should be received by PLANET no later than June 23, 2008.

 
Monday, July 14

9:15am-10:30am
Retaining and Motivating Employees in Small Businesses
Knowledge leaders: Roy Prevost
“I QUIT!” Do these words strike fear in your heart or make your stomach sink? They should -- especially if they’re coming from your key employees. You need to protect yourself! Learn to motivate without speding a time; top reasons why employees learn their jobs and how to preven it; motivating different generations; and how to make your business the best place to work.

5pm-10pm
Shuttles to Easton Town Center
Want to get away from the Convention Center for the evening? Easton Town Center has unique dining, entertainment, and shopping areas. For more information, visit www.eastontowncenter.com. Complimentatry shuttle service will run from the Convention Center connector to Easton Town Center on a continual basis. The last shuttle will leave Easton at 10 p.m. You do not need to register for this

6:30pm-8:30pm
OSU Annuals and Mixed Container Trials
Board a shuttle bus at the Convention Center Connector beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a short ride to The Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens to view the Annual Cultivar Trials and Mixed Container Trials. Heavy refreshments, jazzy entertainment, and guided tours of the trials and gardens will be provided. This venue is the perfect place to network with clients, relax with friends, or simply meander through the gardens. Be sure to bring your camera and business cards! Shuttles will depart the Convention Center Connector and OSU every 30 minutes. Final departure from OSU will be at 8:30 p.m. Return trips will drop off at the OFA short course hotels. This garden tour/networking opportunity is open to anyone with a badge.

8pm-10pm
Unplugged
Sponsored by BASF Turf and Ornamentals Back by popular demand! A cool networking event for young industry professionals! Looking to connect with peers and see what other young professionals are doing in the industry? Stop by “Unplugged,” a casual and fun networking event for young industry professionals. Hang out with your peers at the Spice Bar (note the new location) near the Convention Center for food, drinks, and LIVE music. OFA Short Course badge and ID required for entrance. The Generation Next committee, sponsors of “Unplugged,” is dedicated to the development of young and new horticulture professionals. We believe that personal relationships and contacts are the keys to a successful long-term career and future involvement in OFA. “Unplugged” will provide younger industry professionals new opportunities while having a great time in the process.

 
Tuesday, July 15, 2008