My First Conference Paid for Itself

Rod Bailey, Landscape Industry Certified, Alder Springs Enterprises, LLC

Past ALCA president Rod Bailey, Landscape Industry Certified, remembers the early days of GIC. In fact, he was immediate past president when the first conference was held. “The catalyst for getting together the three major association players and forming GIC was the trade show,” he recalled. “I ran the trade show for the Green Team (ALCA and PGMS) a couple of years prior to  GIC and frankly I got tired of hearing suppliers complain about the lack of floor traffic and having to travel to a more than one trade show.

 

“Ron Kujawa was ALCA president in 1996 and it was through his efforts that ALCA, PGMS, and PLCAA joined together to create the precursor to not only what has become the industry’s premier educational conference but also its largest trade show.

At the time, Bailey was partners in Washington-based Evergreen Services, Inc. Both he and his partner had worked for a consulting firm for five years before deciding it would be interesting to actually run a company for just a few years. Those “few” years turned into 30 after which Bailey sold his company to True Green.

 

“For thirty years it was the most fun thing I could think of to do next,” he said. “Getting involved in this industry was the best decision I ever made.  There’s such great diversity and opportunity, not to mention it’s exciting to run your own company.”  

Having a background in finance and business management, the new owner lacked industry knowledge. So when friends encouraged him to attend an ALCA meeting, he obliged them. Added Bailey, “The first educational symposium I attended was several years before GIC, but it just blew me away with all the information.  While there, I learned how to save $7,000 a year on maintenance equipment alone, which was several times more than I paid for my trip.  That was the year I joined ALCA.  As a young owner, it was the best move I could have made.”

Bailey sold his company 15 years ago and resumed his consulting. “I still go to GIC,” he emphasized, “and I do for several reasons.  I enjoy seeing friends I’ve made over the years and if you’re involved in any way with the industry, GIC is where it’s at. I’m still learning, going to seminars, and attending the Breakfast with Champions.  It’s a way of keeping my hand in and staying current within the industry”.

He continued, “I remember when the first Breakfast was held. At the time, it was a way for formalize the real value of GIC, to meet new people and toss around ideas. Needless to say, the Breakfast has been and continues to be a prime attraction at the conference.”

Not to forget the catalyst, the trade show.

As he related GIE +EXPO is not only the largest green industry trade show in the country, it happens to be one of the largest shows period.  “The real interesting thing is that GIC, the educational conference, has grown right along with the show,” Bailey noted. “This is has turned into a true dual-sided event. Attendees get a double whammy for going, being able to attend both a first class conference and a first class trade show. It’s one heck of a bargain.” 

First Impressions Count

Kelly Dowell, Dowco Enterprises, Inc.

Kelly Dowell, business development manager for Chesterfield, Missouri-based DOWCO, doesn’t recall her first visit to GIC.  “I was in a stroller,” she laughs.  It wasn’t until she started working for her parents’ company after graduating from high school that her first impression of the event hit home.

“Everyone seemed to know my dad,” said Dowell, who, after graduation, worked four days a week while getting her degree in business administration and marketing.  “He had so many friends and everyone was so nice. Now, I’ve made my own friends there and again everyone is welcoming and willing to share.”

Dowell wears many hats at DOWCO, most of which fit somewhere under the sales and marketing heading.  She manages the sales process, oversees social media, and manages account managers among other responsibilities.  At GIC, you’ll find her at seminars and Breakfast with Champions networking sessions that focus on these topics.

“When I first started to oversee our account managers, I wanted to find out how other companies set sales, retention, and profit margin goals for theirs,” she relates. “So I sat in a couple of seminars and Breakfast with Champions tables that addressed the topic.  All companies operate a little differently, but you can always learn something that’s useful.”

She continues, “At the first of the year, we implemented a new, all-inclusive software program.  We learned about the program at GIC and talked with other PLANET members before implementing it. Getting the software up and running has been a challenge, but it would have been more of a challenge without them sharing their experiences; nobody wants to waste time reinventing the wheel.”

Dowell doesn’t waste any time at GIC either.  In addition to gleaning helpful information for her company, she likes to make new friends and acquaintances.  There’s a method to her approach.  “I meet new people and collect their business cards early on at the Breakfast with Champions and specialty group reception,” she explains.  “Then, I can say hello later during the conference and even compare notes with them.”

She also enjoys getting to know whom she terms “the industry all stars.” “They’re like the industry’s Oscar winners,” said Dowell, as she rattles off more than a half dozen names.  “Even though they’re so successful and so well-know within the industry, they always have time to talk. They offer me their cell phone numbers and encourage me to call with any questions. It’s really quite amazing.”

This willingness to give back is one reason Dowell said her father Maurice has always been and continues to be a big proponent of PLANET. “He tells me that of all his affiliations, PLANET membership is one he would never give up, noting there are three stages to being involved with PLANET and going to GIC.  As a new member, the first year or two you spend time sitting in seminars collecting information.  Then, you meet new people and collect shared experiences.  Finally, after learning and growing you will be able to give back and help other new members grow. I’m looking forward to reaching that point in my career.”