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FROM THE EDITOR The Bright Future of the Green Industry The future of the Green Industry looks pretty bright. That’s the over- whelming impression provided by the 35th annual Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days (SCD) event March 17-20 in Joliet, Ill. The students in attendance exhibited not only knowledge and skill related to Green Industry topics and practices, but also an overall excite- ment, eagerness and passion for the industry. In addition, the wide range of companies on hand interviewing — and hiring — students is an extremely positive sign for the state of the industry and the continuing growth of landscape and tree care companies. PLANET President David Snodgrass, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, said that he doesn’t often use the label “wild success,” but if anything stands up to that moniker, Student Career Days is it. “These students are the future of the Green Industry, and the passion and determination of these students continues to inspire us year after year,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc., lead sponsor of the event. Sixty college teams, including one from Canada and two FFA high school teams (875 students total) participated in 28 individual and team competitions, including arboriculture techniques, business management, equipment operation, leadership skills, plant problem diagnosis, pest identification, sales presentation, and much more. Awards were given to individual winners, called “Superstars,” as well as to winning teams. The individual winners were, in first place, Kevin Whitaker of the University of Georgia; in second place, Alex Casillas of Cal Poly-Pomona; and in third place, Dallas Gustafson of Colorado State University. Brigham Young University – Provo took first place in the overall competitive event, followed by Michigan State University in second place, and Brigham Young University – Idaho in third. According to Dr. Phil Allen, CLP, professor of the Landscape Management Program at Brigham Young University, professionalism on the part of the students attending Student Career Days has increased tremendously throughout the years, and it pays off for the students. “We continue to place our graduates in excellent positions with top Green Industry companies, and owe much of this success to the great educational and networking opportunities that are available through attending Career Days,” said Allen. “Competitions help prepare students for the real world by motivating them to do their best and learn from successes as well as failures.” According to Allen, there are still plenty of challenges for students entering the Green Industry. The difficult part is that most major Green Industry companies tend to hire students to start at the bottom and work up. He added that SCD and industry leaders would like to see more Green Industry companies bring in qualified students on an internship basis so that they can eventually enter the company at a higher level. That said, SCD continues to be a success and a bright sign for the future of the industry. “We couldn’t have asked for a more energy- John Kmitta Editor 847-720-5613 jkmitta@m2media360.com www.arborage.com charged four days,” said PLANET Student Career Days Subcommittee Chair, Brett Lemcke, Landscape Industry Certified Manager. “The competitive spirit was clearly present, and while I think this year’s events were some of the most challenging we have developed, the students took them on and succeeded.” 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.arborage.com jkmitta@m2media360.com Integrated Content Team Executive Vice President Charles Forman Editor John Kmitta Calendar Editor Steve Noe Editorial Direction Richard Brandes Production Team Art Director Adam Lane Production Manager Karen Kalinyak M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Marion Minor Vice President, Finance and Operations Gerald Winkel Vice President, Circulation and Collateral Services Joanne Juda-Prainito Production and Operations Director Mary Jo Tomei Direct Mail List Sales Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com Reprint Service Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com For Subscription Inquiries and Customer Service Questions Please Call: 845-856-2229; 845-856-5822 (fax) ARBOR AGE SALES TERRITORIES Charles Forman, Executive Vice President Advertising Account Managers Glenn Datz ph: 213-596-7220 fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com 626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Joy Gariepy 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste. 202 Beverly Hills, MI 48025 248-530-0300, ext. 1401 jgariepy@m2media360.com Bruce Loria 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-596-7226 bloria@m2media360.com Publisher’s Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Arbor Age. Reader Service Numbers are given to facilitate further inquiry. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by Arbor Age or Bev-Al Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. 360 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Arbor Age / April 2011 5