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In this issue ...
 GIC draws large number of green industry professionals
This year’s Green Industry Conference (GIC) and the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky, drew green industry professionals from across the country.
In a press conference at the GIC, PLANET President Jason Cupp, CLP, acknowledged the success of the event and the fact that “together we have created the largest green industry show ever.” The show is ranked 16th in the nation in size.
To effectively comprehend the scope of this annual event, consider some of the statistics from the week — more than 180,000 business cards were traded, more than 92 hours of educational sessions and 75 hours of leadership meetings took place, and more than 4,000 room nights were booked. PLANET’s Live Auction on Wednesday night included 71 items donated by 40 companies, resulting in more than $40,000 for the PLANET AEF and/or PLANET’s legislative activities.
“GIC and GIE+EXPO provide the venue for an exceptional, must-attend industry meeting where PLANET has been able to successfully take the exceptional networking and educational seminars that have become hallmarks of PLANET’s GIC, and then add the dealer networking component,” says Cupp. “The result was the best possible industry event ever.” More about the event.
Your input is very important as we begin planning for the 2009 GIC. Please take a few minutes to complete the following interactive online forms — Call for Topics and Submit an Idea — by December 19, 2008.
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 Congratulations to leadership award recipients
At the Green Industry Conference Awards Banquet, several members were presented with an award for their commitment to PLANET and the industry.
The following individuals and organizations are the recipients of PLANET’s 2008 leadership awards:
Lifetime Leadership Award:
Phil Fogarty of Weed Man/Lake County, Euclid, Ohio
PLANET Promise Award:
John van Roessel, CLP, JVR Landscape, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Partner in Success Award:
Husqvarna
Association Partner of the Year Award:
Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado
Association Executive Partner of the Year Award:
Kristen Fefes, CAE, executive director of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado
PLANET’s awards programs serve to further professional excellence and widely publicize the positive contributions of green industry individuals and organizations. Find out more about the awards programs.
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 PLANET presents Environmental Improvement Judges’ Awards
The judging panel of PLANET’s Environmental Improvement Awards Program recognized three exceptional projects from this year’s award entries with the prestigious Judges’ Award.
Lambert Landscape Co. of Dallas, Texas, received the Judges’ Award for its beautiful residential landscape management project, “A French Neoclassical Garden.” Antique statues, commissioned artwork, upholstered outdoor furniture, elegant water features, and more than 80 containerized plantings are meticulously maintained year-round by Lambert’s crew of gardeners.
Two spectacular ValleyCrest projects also received the award — the commercial landscape contracting project, “Garden of Flowering Fragrance,” the largest private Chinese garden outside of China, and “The Spring Preserve,” an erosion control/ecological restoration project, a 180-acre site featuring eight acres of restored habitat and wetlands, colorful botanical gardens, living exhibits, and more than 2.5 miles of walking trails.
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 Safety superstars announced at GIC
As part of PLANET’s annual Safety Recognition Awards Program, sponsored by CNA, PLANET recognizes those companies with an overall high-performing safety program by presenting them with Overall Safety Achievement Awards.
Criteria for the award includes evaluation of a company’s combined fleet and employee incident rates, as well as a checklist to rate the company’s complete safety program. Three levels of awards — gold, silver, and bronze — were given based on performance to the award recipients.
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 PLANET leadership pledges $25,000 to PLANET AEF
The PLANET 2008/2009 Board of Directors and the Chief Operating Officer have donated $25,000 to the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF) scholarship fund.
This contribution distinguishes the group as a PLANET AEF Ambassador. Members of the group are:
President Jason Cupp, CLP, Highland Outdoor
President Elect William Hildebolt, Ph.D., CTP, CTP-CSL, Nature’s Select Premium Turf Services, Inc.
Directors-at-Large:
Phil Allen, Ph.D., Brigham Young University, Provo
Norman Goldenberg, The TruGreen Companies
Gerald Grossi, ArborLawn, Inc.
Fred Haskett, CTP, U.S. Lawns of West and St. Charles County
Ron Johnson, Syngenta
Joe Kujawa, CLP, Kujawa Enterprises, Inc.
Miles Kuperus Jr., CLP, Farmside Landscape & Design, Inc.
Jennifer Lemcke, Weed Man USA/Turf Holdings, Inc.
Barbara Scheibe, Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association
David Snodgrass, CLP, Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers
Ken Taylor, CLP, John Deere Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division
Richard Wilbert, CLP, Robert Howard Associates, Inc.
PLANET COO Sabeena Hickman
Learn more about PLANET AEF and pledge your support to the educational advancement of the green industry.
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 Plans underway for day of service
PLANET announced a new volunteer initiative called PLANET Day of Service.
The annual day of service will allow PLANET members, state associations, supplier members, and other PLANET partners to create volunteer landscape, lawn care, lighting, or tree projects that benefit their own communities.
PLANET has created a Web site, planetdayofservice.org, which will be a one-stop shop for conceiving, registering, planning, and carrying out a service project. Currently, you can log on to the site for basic information. The full Web site is expected to be up and running by December 2008.
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 PLANET and OSHA sign new alliance
A new Alliance between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and PLANET will address vehicle safety issues and provide employers and employees in the landscape services industry with information on reducing and preventing exposure to material handling, slips, trips, and fall hazards.
Through the Alliance, OSHA and PLANET will collaborate on developing training resources for industry employers and employees, including youth and those with low literacy levels and limited English-speaking abilities. Information will be disseminated through electronic media and assistance tools, OSHA’s and PLANET’s Web sites, and other events such as the Green Industry Conference, GIE+EXPO, and Student Career Days.
The PLANET online Safety Page contains information on OSHA safety programs and PLANET safety resources.
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 New online toolkit addresses industry issues
PLANET has developed a Lawn and Landscape Issues Communication Toolkit that is available on the PLANET Web site in the Member Center.
“The toolkit will be updated as additional material becomes available and as new issues become hot and need new responses and fresh references,” says PLANET Government Affairs Director Tom Delaney. “The toolkit will also grow and become more useful with your feedback. If you know of additional material that is available and should be listed, please contact PLANET with your ideas and suggestions. If a Web link is listed, visit that Web site and explore the material there. The toolkit lists many resources for you to find what you need.” Check it out.
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 Make the Executive Forum a family affair
The magic of Disney awaits business owners, managers, and their families at the PLANET’s 2009 Executive Forum in February at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort.
As a leader, you work hard and strive to be the most effective, inspirational leader you can be, and this year’s Forum — Executive Magic: The Balance of Life, Work & Health — will continue to focus on your well-being. But, along with the opportunity to be enlightened, you’ll also have loads of fun with your family all in one place — Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Make plans to attend today!
Image © Disney
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 Supporting Student Career Days
A big part of Student Career Days (SCD) success can be attributed to the support of the event’s sponsors.
The following sponsors have stepped up to the plate to sponsor the upcoming SCD, March 26–29, 2009, at Cal Poly Pomona, in Pomona, California:
Platinum Sponsor — STIHL Inc.
Gold Sponsor — Ariens/Gravely
Silver Sponsors — Caterpillar, John Deere
Bronze Sponsors — Husqvarna, The Toro Company
Additional sponsorships are still available. For more information on major sponsorships, contact Dina Wiley. For competitive event sponsorships, contact Anna Walraven. Information about Student Career Days is available at StudentCareerDays.org or by calling (800) 395-2522.
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 Certification testing available at hundreds of computer-based testing centers
Move your career up a notch by becoming certified.
PLANET members now have access to hundreds of computer-based testing centers located throughout the United States and Canada and at 30 international sites, through the association's partnership with LaserGrade/PSI. Candace McKeone, CLP, of Patriot Landscape & Arboriculture, Inc., tested for her Certified Landscape Professional designation at a testing center. “This is a great alternative to waiting for testing at an industry event in my area,” says McKeone. “The testing center was both professional and efficient and getting my (unofficial) results on the spot was incredibly satisfying.”
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 A message from your PLANET President
In his latest “From the President” message, PLANET President Jason Cupp, CLP, Highland Outdoor, highlights the myriad PLANET safety programs and resources.
“Frankly, talking about safety is less exciting for me than discussing some of PLANET’s other, more high-profile initiatives,” says PLANET President Jason Cupp, CLP, of Highland Outdoor. “But when you get right down to it, few topics are as important and relate to as many companies as safety does.”
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 Be a part of growing the PLANET network
Time is running out to participate in the GROW the NETWORK campaign and the chance to win a 42-inch Plasma HDTV.
PLANET needs your help and enthusiasm to GROW THE NETWORK by getting your friends and colleagues to JOIN THE NETWORK. For every new Green Industry Service Provider member you refer, you receive a $25 American Express gift card (no limit on winnings), a free safety program CD, and an entry in a drawing for a 42-inch Plasma HDTV. PLANET wins with a stronger voice for you and your industry.
Deadline: December 31, 2008
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 Important deadlines
PLANET AEF scholarship and Outstanding Educator of the Year applications are now being accepted.
2009 PLANET AEF Scholarship Program applications are due by December 1, 2008, and nomination forms for the 2009 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award are due by February 2, 2009. Presentation of the scholarships and the educator award will take place at Student Career Days at Cal Poly Pomona, in Pomona, California, March 26–29, 2009. For more information, visit StudentCareerDays.org or send an e-mail to Kristen Nolton.
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 Inside PLANET
PLANET is working hard to deliver on the five strategic goals of the PLANET Promise and would like to share those achievements with its members on a monthly basis in this e-newsletter. Find out the latest, by clicking here.
| | | | | | | Safety Made Simple 
The purpose of the Safety Made Simple: Low-Budget Tools for Green Industry Companies CD is to provide simple, low-cost tools you can use—no matter what your company’s size. . .
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