The Give and Take of GIC

Glenn Jacobsen, Landscape Industry Certified, Jacobsen Landscape Design & Construction, Inc.

The Green Industry Conference is a great place for takeaway. It’s where to find out how to market more effectively with social media, dramatically improve you sales process, and find answers to any number of other business-building questions you may have.  But as Glenn Jacobsen, Landscape Industry Certified, pointed out, it’s also a place to give back.

“Of course attendees learn from going to seminars and workshops, but from my experience most of the learning is done by comparing notes and sharing experiences with other landscape professionals. This happens naturally in the hallways, at receptions, over dinner, and at formal networking sessions like the Breakfast with Champions. A willingness to share is something for which this industry has never lacked.” 

 

The president of Jacobsen Landscape Design & Construction in Midland Park, NJ and the Immediate Past President of PLANET, Jacobsen has been going to GIC since 1998, twelve of those years as a member of the GIC committee. Every year he tries to take four members of his staff to the conference, two seasoned veterans and two who are newer to the industry.

“Back when I first started going to GIC I didn’t know many people in the industry,” he recalled.  “So I exchanged several business cards and filed them away. Prior to the next GIC, I referenced the cards, called a few people, and set up a time when we could talk or have dinner.”

Instead of exchanging business cards, the new friends then exchanged ideas. As Jacobsen noted, this is just a small example of how GIC can bring together people and create an environment where attendees learn by giving. 

The “give” part took on new meaning four years ago when the GIC committee unveiled a plan for PLANET to “give back” to host city Louisville.  “We wanted to do something for the city, to help out a nonprofit organization in need,” Jacobsen explained. “We wanted to say thanks to the city for its hospitality and, in the process, show residents what our industry is all about.”

The first year, 35 to 40 industry volunteers worked on three projects. A year later, the number of volunteers grew to 60 and last year 80 volunteers spent the Wednesday afternoon prior to GIC renovating and maintaining landscapes. This year, PLANET expects 100 people to participate, including several students from area colleges.

“Students enjoy working with us,” Jacobsen remarked. “They get a chance to step out of the classroom, work outside, and learn more about the industry -- all the while giving back.”

    

In addition to PLANET and students volunteers, the program involves many other industry representatives such as lead sponsor GIE +EXPO and a long list of vendors who donate money and materials.  The common theme for everyone is helping those in need.

“That’s what our industry is all about,” Jacobsen emphasized. “It’s about giving back. Those who give back to their communities throughout the year, those who share their business experiences at GIC also realize an added bonus -- they always get back far more than they give.”

If GIC’s 25^th anniversary celebration will be your first visit to the event, come prepared.  As this industry veteran knows, the assemblage of industry professionals, seminars and workshops, and suppliers present a great learning opportunity, one that can easily be enhanced by sharing a few experiences with fellow attendees or even lifting a hand at PLANET Gives Back.