40 Reasons To Go To GIC

Shayne Newman, Landscape Industry Certified Manager & Technician, YardApes, Inc.

“Before going to GIC, I ask my people, myself included, to bring back 10 ideas they would like to see implemented in our company,” said Shayne Newman, Landscape Industry Certified. “If I take three people, we ultimately have 40 ideas to review.  One certainly cannot act on all of them, but if we can put two or three in place that makes the trip to GIC all the more valuable.”

It’s a trip the owner of Connecticut-based YardApes has been making for the better part of a decade. He started mowing lawns while studying for a degree in finance. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1990, he officially hung his shingle and devoted full time to a new career.

“My first GIC opened my eyes to opportunities,” Newman recalled. “It demonstrated that I not only had plenty of room to grow my business, but there would be several people along the way who could help.  In fact, what makes GIC all the more interesting and valuable is that attendees are passionate about the industry and want to learn, grow, and help. That’s pretty inspiring for owners and their employees.”

Newman, who has chaired the PLANET PR Committee and now sits on the Board, has grown a small startup mowing operation into a $2.5 million, full-service landscape management company.  Two years ago, he moved into a new facility located on a 10-acre property.  He noted that PLANET and GIC have certainly eased growing pains.

“At GIC, two or three educational sessions always target an issue, challenge, or specific question I may have.   When do you hire and office manager? How big should your company be before it can support a full-time mechanic?  Getting answers to seemingly small questions can make a huge difference over time.” Other lessons are learned in less formal settings. He remembered a recent GIC social hour that turned into a several hour discussion.  “I woke up the next morning wondering how this group could have talked so long about landscaping. We did and it was fun and educational.”

Going to GIC can present challenges, he added. The biggest one is being everywhere at once. 

“You want go to go to the educational sessions and the Breakfast.  Last year was the first year for the Learning Lounge, and there’s a kickoff event, along with the specialty group receptions and not to forget the trade show.  There are so many things to do, your schedule can become crazy. That’s another reason why I assign the top 10 list to my employees; it keeps them focused.” If there weren’t enough to do already in Louisville, YardApes’ employees and its owner also volunteer for PLANET Gives Back. Held the Wednesday before GIC, the community service project does two things, said Newman.

“The event helps out nonprofit organizations in Louisville and it gives area business owners another reason to look forward to our arrival every year.”  As he pointed out area hotels, restaurants, and cab companies make money off GIC and GIE+ EXPO, but PLANET Gives Back offers something more permanent: a lasting impression of an industry that leaves behind a city made that much more beautiful.