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Contact: Heather Finney
Phone: (800) 395-2522
E-mail: Heather Finney

GARDEN EXPERT, P. ALLEN SMITH, RETURNS TO PRESENT AT PLANET’S 2009 GREEN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

HERNDON, Va., July 1, 2009 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the international association of lawn care and landscape professionals, is pleased to announce that national celebrity garden designer, P. Allen Smith, television host of P. Allen Smith Gardens and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home, will return to present an educational session entitled “Consumer Trends: What to Learn, What to Leave” on October 29, 2009, courtesy of STIHL Inc., at this year’s Green Industry Conference (GIC). The conference, held in Louisville, Kentucky, October 28–31, 2009, offers a wealth of learning opportunities for green industry professionals, ranging from finance/business, leadership, and human resources to landscape management, safety, and industry recruiting. This new economy calls for new answers and new approaches, and PLANET has assembled a roster of experts, like Smith, who will provide information and ideas that will be essential for not only surviving but having a successful business for 2009 and beyond.
“Given the present economic climate, attending the Green Industry Conference has, perhaps, never been more important to a landscape professional’s business. The response to Allen’s sessions last year was extremely positive, so we are pleased to bring him back for this year’s event,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “Allen’s unique insight into what homeowners want and what impacts a pro’s bottom line is especially valuable, and attendees will be able to take away practical ideas to improve their bottom line.” In addition to sponsoring Smith’s seminar and other GIC sessions, STIHL also supports PLANET safety initiatives such as the Preventing Pain & Injury in the Green Industry CD and educational initiatives such as Student Career Days.

Along with the education sessions, GIC attendees also enjoy valuable networking opportunities at events such as Breakfast With Champions and evening receptions, as well as have access to the green industry’s foremost exhibition, the GIE+EXPO, with indoor exhibits and outdoor demonstrations showcasing the newest green industry products and innovations. There’s also a live auction, proceeds from which go to the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF), created to help fund the education of the industry’s future leaders, and PLANET’s legislative initiatives.

Rounding out the GIC experience are free concerts on Thursday and Friday nights in Louisville’s premier dining and entertainment district, 4th Street Live! This year’s lineup features Eddie Money and The Blues Brothers and promises to be a rocking good time.

For more information about the 2009 Green Industry Conference, sponsored by JOHN DEERE at the Platinum level, Bayer Environmental Science at the Gold level, and Ewing Irrigation Products at the Silver level, visit GreenIndustryConference.org or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 3,500 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.