GIC: Industry Big Picture

David Snodgrass, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Dennis' 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers

“I like traveling and seeing the world. It’s not only fun to see different things and experience different cultures, but traveling also broadens one’s horizons.  Going to GIC is similar from a professional perspective. It gives attendees the industry big picture. You discover there are other ways to conduct business, take advantage of opportunities, and grow your company.“Stay at home, don’t go to GIC and your benchmark is only as big as your local competition. Go to GIC and your benchmark suddenly expands, and you naturally think bigger.”

This former PLANET president and president of Dennis’ Seven Dees in Portland, OR, has attended GIC for nearly 25 years. “It was a stretch for us to attend in the beginning. Our company was small. We were very busy and wearing several hats. Yet even back then the biggest event in the industry was a requisite for us. I don’t believe our success was dependent on going to GIC; our family has the work ethic and desire to be successful. But for sure, we would not be nearly as successful as we are today if we failed to put GIC on our agenda."

Before every GIC, Snodgrass makes a note of specific company issues or concerns. As he pointed out, there are always struggles. Maybe it’s how to deal with succession or find a better way to pay for performance or share profits.

“Someone at the conference has found a better way to deal with issues you may be having, and there’s plenty of opportunities to bring them up for discussion. Some of the best ideas, however, are often totally unsolicited.  I remember one conversation with a PLANET member who told me a rather dramatic story about his tub grinder.  A sledge hammer, mixed in with the debris, was launched through the air during the grinding operation. It ended up crashing through the roof of a neighbor’s house. The accident and story aside, I was intrigued by the machine.  

We purchased one and it has become a lucrative profit center for us. ”Big company, small company it doesn’t make any difference, said this industry veteran. The reality is that small companies naturally have the most to gain from attending the conference, but large companies, even the biggest companies can find value.  You will never outgrow GIC, sharing new industry trends and ideas, and seeing the new products on display there.”

Snodgrass’ GIC experience evolved over the years. He now takes several team members with him, and attending PLANET Leadership meetings has recently monopolized a bigger share of his GIC time. “Sending a team has an exponential impact on a company. The knowledge and enthusiasm associates bring back spreads to all corners of your company. You become involved in Leadership because you want to engage at a higher level and help improve the industry you care so much about.  On the committees and in the meetings you meet new people, develop new relationships, and continue to learn and grow. 

There is no question that our green industry is special. It is made up of ‘salt of the earth’ people. They are very generous and willing to share best practices and tricks of the trade, and you always receive an unguarded response to a question you may have. There is not another industry like ours nor is there another event like GIC.”