Marketplace News

New research sheds light on social media use
The Retail Advertising and Marketing Association (www.rama-nrf.org), a division of National Retail Federation, released new research on the habits of social media users. Survey highlights include:
 

• Seven out of 10 social media users between the ages of 18-34 regularly use Facebook more than other sites.
   
• 71.8 percent of social media users say that after an online search, they communicate with others about a product or service with face-to-face communication.
   
• More people who use social media prefer to give advice about a product/service rather than receive it.
   
• 70.6 percent of female social media users regularly use Facebook, compared to 61 percent of males.

Horticulture-plastic recycler running at capacity around the clock
East Jordan Plastics (EJP) in South Haven, Mich., announced that its new recycling facility is now recycling plastic horticultural containers 24 hours a day. The facility is equipped to recycle in excess of 10 million pounds of used horticultural containers annually. The 130,000-square-foot facility’s location is central to major markets that East Jordan Plastics serves, and is also convenient to both its production facilities in Beaverton and East Jordan, Mich. Cal Diller, president of East Jordan Plastics Inc., is pleased with the progress. “We exceeded expectations in 2009, the first year our facility was open,” he said. “Presently, we are operating at full capacity and making plans to purchase additional equipment to increase that capacity. We will continue to accept horticultural scrap and are always looking for additional sources of supply.” For more information on how garden centers can take part in the recycling process, visit www.eastjordanplastics.com.


New $100 note will be unveiled April 21
The new design for the $100 note will make its debut on Wednesday, April 21 during a ceremony at the Department of the Treasury's Cash Room. The $100 note is the highest value denomination of U.S. currency in general circulation, and it circulates broadly around the world. Free training materials for cash handlers as well as other public education resources will be available in 25 languages at www.newmoney.gov beginning on April 21.

Who's News?

New positions
Anthony Warren to purchasing manager, KIOTI Tractor, Wendell, N.C.
Tom Stutzman to edible plant and inventory manager, Agri-Starts, Apopka, Fla.
Mike Proffitt to representative for California, Arizona and Nevada, Proptek, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Tom Lemke to president and CEO, Trackwell ADS, Houston.
Edward J. Weisberg to director of business development, Keyword Connects, Waltham, Mass.

Business changes
Athens Select, Athens, Ga., has added Magnolia Gardens, Magnolia, Texas, as a licensed propagator.
MasterBlend, Elwood, Ill., has moved to a larger, expanded facility in Morris, Ill.
Valent USA Corp., Walnut Creek, Calif., formed a new biorational business unit, a team focused on delivering effective biorational crop protection and crop enhancement products to Valent customers.
Anthony Shepherd, Verde Solutions, Silverton, Ore., has partnered with Natural Forces, Davidson, N.C., as northwest region spokesperson.

Associations
Ed Tankard, Tankard Enterprises, Exmore, Va., to president; Mark Maslow, Southern Landscape Group, Evington, Va., to vice president; Steve Grigg, Grigg Landscape Design, Manassas Park, Va., to secretary/treasurer & education; Duane Shumaker, RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care, Concord, Va., to past president, Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association.

Honors
Jeff Miller was recognized for his 25 years of service as executive director, Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association, Christiansburg, Va.
David Austin honored as 2010 Great Rosarian of the World by the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif., and Manhattan Rose Society, New York.
Eastern Shore Nursery, Keller, Va., and co-owner Robin Rinaca, received the 2009 ground water award from the Virginia Eastern Shore Regional Ground Water Commission.

Deaths
Dale Bergquist, 91, founder of Green Thumb Nursery in Canoga Park, Calif., died January 5, 2010.  

Calendar

April 2010
10-11, Progressive Gardening Trade Association Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas; www.pgta.org  
10-17, California Spring Trials, various locations; www.ngb.org  
15, Invasive Insect and Disease Program, Germantown, Md.; (301) 590-2807
18-21, National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association Spring Meeting, Kahuku-Oahu, Hawaii, www.ngma.com  
20-23, United Fresh, Las Vegas; www.unitedfresh.org  
24, Proven Winners Outdoor Living Extravaganza, Boston; www.provenwinners.com

May 2010
5-6, Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association 21st Annual Meeting, Tucson, Ariz.; www.toca.org

June 2010
2, California Grown Show, Costa Mesa, Calif.; www.californiagrownshow.com  
6-9, North American Horticulture Supply Association Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, N.M.; www.nahsa.com 
15-17, National Lawn & Garden Show, Colorado Springs, Colo.; www.nlgshow.com  
27-30, Garden Centers of America Summer Tour, Orlando, Fla.; www.gardencentersofamerica.org

July 2010
3-11, Adrian Blooms’ Celebration of English Gardens Tour, England; (866) 642-7120
18-24, Perennial Plant Symposium, Portland, Ore.; www.perennialplant.org  

August 2010
17-19, IGC Show, Chicago; www.igcshow.com  
22-27, International Horticulture Congress, Lisbon, Portugal; www.ihc2010.org

September 2010
10-13, Garden Writer’s Association Symposium, Dallas, Texas; www.gardenwriters.org  
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, America In Bloom Symposium, St. Louis, Mo.; www.americaninbloom.org  
Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 60th Annual meeting of the International Plant Propagators Society Eastern Region, Warwick, R.I.; www.ipps.org/EasternNA

October 2010
28-30, GIE+EXPO, (Green Industry and Equipment Expo) Louisville, Ky.; (800) 558-8767; www.gie-expo.com