Jun 16, 2016

AAS Summer Summit to Go Local In Madison By Tim Hodson

All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau will host the 2016 AAS Summer Aug. 24-26, in Madison, Wisconsin, aka the “Land of Locally Grown.”

The Summer Summit is the organizations’ annual gathering for growers, judges, breeders, brokers, retailers and anyone who would like to attend to learn more about AAS, meet the NGB members and see several of the many AAS trials locations.

AAS and NGB are both proponents of the locally grown movement and this year’s Summer Summit and Madison provide a great opportunity to shine the spotlight on this initiative.

Wisconsin is ranked #6 state that is most committed to the locavore movement. It is also the #8 state based on the availability of local food to the average citizen, and it is easy to shop and eat locally due to the number of farmers markets, food hubs, farm-to-school programs and community supported agriculture programs.

During the Summit, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the University of Wisconsin’s West Madison Research Station, which is also an AAS Display Garden; and the Allen Centennial Garden, A.P. Whaley Seeds (an AAS Edible Trial site). They will also experience the unique and sustainable landscape of Epic Systems Corp.’s headquarters.

On Day 2, the tours are scheduled to visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery and the Rotary Botanical Gardens (also an AAS Display Garden) in Janesville.

If you would like learn more about the locavore movement then Madison is the place to be this August.

For more information on the 2016 AAS Summer Summit or if you would like to attend this year’s event, just click here. Discounted registration fees are being offered until July 22.

— Tim

Smiley Face Comes Out of Hiding at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart is bringing back its iconic Smiley logo to be featured in TV and digital ads as well as on in-store signage. The company’s chief marketing officer, Tony Rogers, said on the company’s blog that Smiley had been “behind the scenes” in recent years but “we felt like it was time to bring back an old friend, and one of the most-recognized symbols of low prices.” He adds, “Whether we’re talking about a great everyday low price or a new rollback, Smiley’s our man.”

The Right Man (and Dog) for the Job

Owen Lima suffered a brain injury 40 years ago and has had difficulties finding full-time work because employers wouldn’t allow him to bring his service dog to work. The service dog helps keep Lima calm to prevent anxiety attacks when he gets frustrated. That recently changed when Lowe’s store manager Paolo Gallo hired Lima and his service dog Blue to work in his store in Canada. Gallo had the perfect job for the pair as customer service associates who greet shoppers and manage shopping carts. Gallo told CTV the effect on Owen has been priceless. “The engagement he has with our customers (and) staff, it’s given him a new take on life. All the great things that he is, he now can showcase.”

Robotic Shopping Carts on the Horizon?

Wal-Mart is reportedly evaluating a prototype of a robotic shopping cart that will make it easier for shoppers to find the products they are looking for in the store and eliminate the need to push the cart around the store and parking lot during their shopping trips. Wendy Roberts, CEO of Five Elements Robotics, told attendees at the Bloomberg Technology Conference 2016 earlier this week that her company is working with Wal-Mart to develop the cart to help simplify the shopping process for its customers. The retailer is turning to different technological options to compete with online shopping websites as well as deep discount dollar stores.