New England Grows’ Educational Programs
New learning opportunities will again be offered at the 14th annual New England Grows, held Tuesday, Jan. 31 through Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass. Last winter’s conference attracted 14,000 participants and more than 600 exhibitors in 1,400 booths.
“New England Grows 2006 provides a learning experience for everyone,” said president John Filias, MCLP of Jeffrey’s Creek Land Contractors, Inc. in Manchester, Mass. “We are confident this February’s gathering will deliver the top-notch education that participants have come to rely on, whether they are landscape professionals, arborists, garden center or nursery owners, or other members of the green industry.”
More than 30 educational sessions are planned with topics ranging from timely technical issues to marketing solutions, as well as new answers to horticultural concerns specific to New England. Topics include : Lessons Learned from the Great New England Ice Storm; Perennials & Shrubs for Extreme Urban Conditions; Winter Moth & Other Emerging Plant Pests; Green Roofs: A Primer for New England; Organics Going Mainstream; Use of Structure in the Garden; Moving Your Garden Center from Good to Great; The American Elm; and Northern Gardening Options for Four Seasons.
Industry professionals, academics, researchers and marketing gurus from across the country and around the globe will lead the sessions. Speakers include : Allan Armitage, University of Georgia; South Dakota State University’s John Ball; Art Cameron, Michigan State University; University of North Carolina’s Tom Campanella; Joe Eck and Wayne Winterowd of Vermont-based North Hill Garden Design; Gert Fortgens of the Netherlands’ Trombenburg Arboretum; Ed Gilman, University of Florida; Marty Grunder, a landscape marketing expert from Miamisburg, Ohio; Brian Minter of B.C., Canada; and Joe Skelton of Roswell, Ga.
New England Grows 2006 will also feature three learning centers right on the trade show floor. Arbor Park, Fieldstone Park and Garden Park were new additions to last winter’s show. These interactive parks include live, hands-on demonstrations where participants can learn about skills such as tree climbing; drum lacing; wall, walk and patio building; plant identification; and shrub pruning.
Complete program information for New England Grows 2006 will be available in October 2005. Expanded exposition hours, improved parking and shuttle bus schedules are also planned. Interested exhibitors are encouraged to contact New England Grows at info@negrows.org or (508) 653-3009.
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