Market buzz

ONLA launches Regional Education Series

Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) Board of Directors and Staff announced the launch of the ONLA Regional Education Series, designed to provide green industry professionals local options for hands-on education.

The Regional Education Series offers 11 options to learn new skills and earn certification credits in a collaborative environment. Expert educators facilitate hands-on training using the tools and techniques of the trade while they share lessons learned and best practices for producing results. Program content is practical, transferable and will benefit managers, leaders and crew members.

ONLA’s 2014 Regional Education Series programs include:

• Lighting Installation: wiring, diagnostics and maintenance of low-voltage systems
• Lighting Design: best practices for landscape, architectural and hardscape
• Irrigation Electrical Service : diagnostics, repair and servicing systems
• Tree Climbing: basic and advanced skills development
• Dry-laid Stone: hands-on wall, arch and outcrop construction
• Green Infrastructure: planning, design, build and maintenance best practices

For more, www.onla.org

Garden Center magazine takes home TOCA awards

The GIE Media staff was awarded with more than 20 awards from the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) at its annual meeting, which took place May 8 in New Orleans. Garden Center magazine received two of those honors. Designer Stephanie Antal won first place, two-page design for the 2013 State of the Industry Report, and Michelle Simakis won first place, writing for a series for her soon-to-be-completed series on Bloom! Garden Center.

The 2013 State of the Industry Report can be viewed here:
www.gardencentermag.com/garden1013-state-of-industry-report.aspx

The first two articles in the Bloom! series can be viewed here:
www.gardencentermag.com/gc0813-founded-2013-BLOOM.aspx
www.gardencentermag.com/garden1013-bloom-garden-center.aspx
 

Water gardening trade show expands

Aquascape, Inc. has expanded Pondemonium for 2014, with first-time ever Foreman/Rookie Pondemonium from August 18 to 21, followed by the traditional Pondemonium format for owners and managers August 21 to 23 in St. Charles, Ill.

Pondemonium is now in its 14th season as a business and networking event for pond industry distributors, contractors and retailers. Pondemonium 2014 events and workshops focus on helping pond business owners increase their exposure and success with water features.

This year’s events include:

• Classroom sessions taught by leading experts in the industry
• Valuable hands-on training at Build-a-Pond events
• Network opportunities with hundreds of successful pond builders and retailers
• Pond construction techniques
• Overview of the latest pond product offerings
• Today’s marketing techniques to increase sales
• Sessions on finance and business operations

For more, www.pondemonium.com
 

AmericanHort selects 2014 HortScholars

Columbus, Ohio – AmericanHort has selected six students to serve as the year’s HortScholars. The application process identifies some of the industry’s brightest young professionals and helps to launch their careers in horticulture by providing education and networking opportunities. The goal of the HortScholars program is to provide students with an enriching professional development experience that increases their knowledge, industry awareness, and career enthusiasm.

2014 HortScholars:

• Marie Arnold, The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
• Nicholas Flax, Iowa State University
• Jessica Kivett, Kansas State University
• Justin Kondrat, Cornell University
• Katie Nickolaus, Michigan State University
• James Sacco, University of Massachusetts Amherst

HortScholars will be on-site at Cultivate’14 (July 12 to 15 in Columbus, Ohio) and receive complimentary Cultivate registration, lodging, and meals. Additionally, they will receive a complimentary one-year AmericanHort membership. HortScholars will assist the Generation Next Community with events, conduct presentations that share their insight into industry issues, attend the exhibitions and educational sessions, meet with industry mentors, and network at various social events.

More information on this year’s HortScholars, including biographies and photos, are available at  www.AmericanHort.org/HortScholars