July 15, 2012
By Kristen McIntyre CHT

It’s July. It’s hot. You are tired and your staff needs motivation. Look no further! Give them something to look forward to – sign up for Expo and get tickets for everyone to Planning for Profit!

Fabulous professional development opportunities await LO members and their staff. Prepare to maximize your profit through innovative sales and marketing initiatives with containers and plant material at a special ticketed event on Oct. 18 at Expo.

Expo is your destination to re-energize your staff and celebrate the great world of retailing and design.  Canada’s premier fall show for the floral and garden industry, Expo 2012 will take place in the stylish new North Building of the Toronto Congress Centre on Wed., Oct. 17, and Thurs., Oct. 18.

“It has been a great season to date and the prevailing positive mood has been contagious,” notes Heather MacRae, Expo 2012 show manager. “We are all looking forward to a new energy at the show.”

A great deal of time has been spent ensuring events are relevant and will help you and your staff take away usable ideas to implement in your business after the show. The second day of the show kicks off with the power breakfast event, ‘Planning for Profit,’ hosted by Landscape Ontario’s Interior Plantscape Sector Group. The event will feature an interactive session led by Jill Jensen of Jill Jensen Botanical Specialties and Sue Blaney from Lechuza Canada.

Jensen specializes in the supply of tropical plants to the interior landscape and retail market in Ontario. She has managed sales and marketing for a Canadian nursery, specializing in interior landscape design, sourcing, installation and maintenance, as well as a tropical plants producer in Florida and worked with the retail market in both the U.S.
and Canada.

Sue Blaney is a lifetime entrepreneur and has traveled internationally for business. She has been owner of a successful graphic design and print production company, Pinnacle Communications, since 1993. Labatt, Sleeman, and Corby Distilleries were among her clients, and she produced POS and business materials; shipping worldwide. Blaney has embraced a career change and is now a sales agent for Lechuza self-watering planters.

 “Business owners are faced with a myriad of issues in today’s financial climate. We need to help each other and share best practices – learn what works,” says Stephen Schell, chair of LO’s Interior Plantscape group, and owner of The Plant Lady, a Kitchener-based company that creates interior tropical plant installations. “This session will provide the opportunity to learn from two talented and successful business women who will offer some real ideas to implement in your business.”

This interactive session will drill-out solutions and is a must-attend event for retailers and interior, floral and landscape designers. Ticket price includes a breakfast and an Expo 2012 trade show badge. Attendees will enjoy the cost savings; ticket price of $55 for Landscape Ontario members and $75 for non-members who purchase by Oct. 1.  After that date, prices will increase.

Comments, questions or ideas for future Expo sessions and events are welcome. Send them to kristen@landscapeontario.com, or visit www.loexpo.ca to register, or for more information.

 

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