It’s About the GIC Experience

Joy Diaz, Land Care, Inc.

“I don’t recall the first year I attended GIC, but I remember being blown away and awestruck by the size of the event! I couldn’t believe how massive the green industry was.”  These comments come from Joyanna “Joy” Diaz who co-owns Land Care, Inc., in Las Vegas.

A PLANET member since 1998, Diaz sits on the PLANET Board and is a longtime volunteer. Her committee assignments have included the Industry Recruitment, Finance and Membership committees, the latter of which she chaired for two years. She has also hosted the Newcomers Rally for the past two years.

When asked which of GIC’s many moving parts, including the seminars, workshops, receptions, and Breakfast with Champions, gives her the most value, Diaz said she couldn't put her finger on one specific thing. 

“Every year my needs shift.  One year a seminar will smack the nail on the head and I won’t be so interested in the topic the following year.  Another year, I will listen to a different speaker or meet someone who changes my business life. It’s about the GIC experience. You cannot go anywhere else in the world that has the ‘touches’ you will have at this event.”

Meeting new industry friends is part of her GIC experience. “I also look forward to the Keynote Address,” she added. “This year’s speaker is Janine Driver. I saw her at Great Escape in Vegas a few years ago and loved her. I love the 4^th Street Live entertainment, too, and look forward to Montgomery Gentry this year.”

Among other highlights, she makes time to meet with vendors, see new products and test the equipment outdoors, and puts a huge premium on the many networking opportunities there. Said Diaz, “Over the years, meeting other industry leaders and sharing ideas with them have helped us save time and money. I ask why reinvent the wheel if someone is willing to share experiences, both those that have been successful and others that have failed. You can use either or both as a springboard to something that will work for your company.”

 This industry veteran is looking forward to attending GIC this year and she’s bringing along a long list of challenges.  In her words, “have no fear, this year once again one or more of those issues will be addressed and I will get to knock them off my to-do list.” 

If Diaz takes along a few team members like in the past, she will sit with them prior to the conference, address goals and highlight what educational sessions and equipment innovations will help to reach them.  Upon returning home, there’s usually a GIC debriefing session, along with a plan to put what they've learned to work, again all part of her GIC experience.