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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/103454
According to Arlington, knowledge is only valuable when it's taught to others; and if you keep it to yourself, it's worthless. "There's no such thing as a stupid question, except the one you keep to yourself," he added. "There are thousands of us in the industry who are willing to share — you just have to ask. Seek out the knowledge, and you will find it." Arlington said education is the key, and it needs to continue to improve. He urges industry professionals to seek out education and become involved with industry associations. "Anybody who takes their business seriously is willing to listen to others," he said. "They value the sharing of knowledge; they value the networking that can take place." And although Arlington's seminars are all different and cover a vast range of industry topics, he tries to convey two core messages. The first is, "You can do it, do not give up, and keep fighting the fight," he said. "Where I came from, by all rights, I should not have been successful, but I did it anyway. So anyone out there can do it." The second message is to reach out and realize that there are a lot of people in the industry who are willing to share and willing to help. "Don't be afraid to walk up to some of the big players in the business and ask if you can sit down and have a cup of coffee," said Arlington. "It's amazing how many people in this industry are willing to share if people would just ask." For more information about Rich Arlington's book, "Why Not You?" visit www.avtt.org/ arlingtoninfo.html. www.landscapeirrigation.com "I'm gung ho about professionalizing our industry, and making it so that we are recognized as those who add value to our industry and add value to people's lives." — Jerry Grossi Gerald "Jerry" Grossi Owner and COO of Arborlawn Jerry Grossi is unique. He is the only person to have served as president of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) and the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).* This distinction is just one example among many of Grossi's dedication to the Green Industry and the leadership role he has embraced throughout his career. "I'm hoping that I have been most influential in this industry by sharing whatever knowledge or information that I have with others," he said. "And whatever leadership abilities I have, I have been able to share them with the industry and promote our industry in a way that will add professionalism. I'm gung ho about professionalizing our industry, and making it so that we are recognized as those who add value to our industry and add value to people's lives." Grossi served as PLCAA president in 2000, and president of PLANET during the 2011-2012 term. According to Grossi, during the PLCAA period, the biggest challenges he faced were legislative and regulatory issues, and those are many of the same issues that continue today. "At PLANET, I came at a unique time when our industry was flourishing, and then we got into a period where the economy weighed us down," he said. "We've had a lot of challenges to keep our mem- bers — and the industry — fresh and current and moving forward." Grossi said the difference between the two eras is that the industry is now a lot more sophisticated. "We are much more process oriented," he said. "Our industry is becoming more complex. Our businesses are becoming more complex. What you were able to do 10 to 20 years ago, you are not able to do today.You have to be a much better businessperson.You have to have a lot more knowledge today to succeed." Taking the lead Grossi's leadership was also instrumental in the agreement between PLANET and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) to merge PLANET's Green Industry Conference and Expo (GIC/GIE) with OPEI's International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo (EXPO) to form GIE+EXPO. According to Grossi, the biggest challenge in forming the partnership to create GIE+EXPO was the organizations themselves. "They were both independent with respect to having their own shows," he said. "PLANET and OPEI each had ownership, and they were proud of what they put together as their own show. It was their branding, their time to shine, their time to show to the industry and the public what they have to offer. We first had to overcome having to share a show rather than own a show. That was a big hurdle." Another challenge was the fact that combining shows increased the size of the event (which is now the ninth largest trade show in the country). Because of that size, and because of the format (having an outdoor and indoor demonstration area at the same time), the show has become pigeonholed into Louisville, Ky., said Grossi. "We're limited on where we can take the show, because of its size and the model we have built," he added. "Not that we can't offer a lot, but there is one item we can't offer and that is the rotation [to different cities]." Despite the challenges, the combined event has been a success. "Even in the toughest times, we are still growing the show," he said. "This year, attendance was up dramatically. For PLANET, attendance was up 20 to 40 percent. There was a similar number for some of our other partners, such as Hardscape North America, and dealer and distributor attendance was up. So, whichever stakeholder was involved, there has been good growth. I think we have the right combination here. I think it's a real showcase for the industry." With regard to the future of the show, Grossi said it must continue to offer the "wow" factor. "We have to continue to Landscape and Irrigation 11