Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/465682
ViewPoint Editor John Kmitta | jkmitta@specialtyim.com EPG Media & Specialty Information, 3300 Fernbrook Ln N, Ste 200, Plymouth MN 55447 Web site: www.landscapeirrigation.com Group Publisher David Voll EdItorIaL StaFF Associate Publisher, editor John Kmitta (847) 720-5613; jkmitta@specialtyim.com Products editor Steve Noe (630) 499-1017; fax (630) 499-1026; snoe@specialtyim.com ProductIoN tEaM Art Director Brian Snook Production Manager Karen Kalinyak dIrEct MaIL LISt SaLES MeritDirect, Jim Scova, (914) 368-1012; e-mail jscova@MeritDirect.com rEPrINt SErvIcE Debra Welter, Circulation and Audience Development Manager, e-mail dwelter@specialtyim.com cIrcuLatIoN For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (847) 763-9565, or fax (847) 763-9569 business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connec- tion with items appearing in this special edition. Commercial product names are used for the con- venience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by EPG Media & Specialty Information, or preference over similar products not mentioned. accouNt rEPrESENtatIvES: EaSt Chris Pelikan Senior Account Manager Phone: (954) 964-8676 cpelikan@epgmediallc.com MIdWESt Peggy Tupper Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4429 ptupper@epgmediallc.com WESt Leslie Palmer Senior Account Manager Phone: (248) 731-7596 lpalmer@specialtyim.com Getting Ready for Spring 6 March 2015 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com Spring is coming. And a big part of this issue is about preparing you for the busy season. Our Mowing Special (beginning on page 12) provides in-depth insights about mower trends and considerations. Our turf disease overview prepares you for six key threats you will face in the landscape. We also delve into fueling issues with features about ethanol, propane, and overall fuel cost management. For information about managing your vehicle fleet, please see the article on "Fleet Cost Management" by the NTEA's Bob Johnson (on page 34). When it comes to preparing your fleet vehicles, there is a big opportunity in early March to examine, in person, a range of fleet management essentials. The Work Truck Show 2015, which will be held March 4-6 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, includes a full slate of educational sessions offered in surrounding meeting rooms. It is during these exclusive sessions that attendees can learn the latest strategies for maximizing return-on- investment, evaluating new technology, controlling costs and better serving customers. (Educational programming, including the Green Truck Summit, begins March 3.) "The Work Truck Show's educational sessions provide opportunities for attendees to learn how to improve their operations using input from work truck industry leaders and experts," said Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. "We've sharpened the focus of many of these sessions to give specific answers to the most pressing challenges faced by fleet managers. By participating in the educational sessions, attendees can learn about the newest strategies fleets are using to improve performance and reduce costs." The new "Fleet Management 101: Fundamentals of Truck Fleet Management" workshop provides a thorough introduction to the most important elements of an effective fleet management program. It highlights outsourcing and supplier management, analytics, benchmarking, vehicle cost and replacement, and safety. This session is led by senior representatives from Mercury Associates, Inc., the largest dedicated fleet management consulting firm in North America. It will be held March 3, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Individual sessions held on March 4 and 5 provide in-depth looks at decision- making processes fleet operators follow to implement changes. These include "Lease or Capital Purchase — Identifying the Best Option for Fleets," "Strategies and Techniques for Rightsizing Your Fleet," "Utilizing Life-Cycle Cost Analysis as a Selling or Purchasing Strategy," and "Fleet Performance Measurement and Benchmarking." Extensive education on clean vehicle topics is offered at the Green Truck Summit, an alternative fuel and technology conference held in conjunction with the largest dedicated vocational truck event in North America. The two-day Green Truck Summit features general and breakout sessions that cover alternative fuel and advanced technology trends and implementation success stories. Conference registration is required to attend concurrent educational sessions. Separate tickets must be purchased for the Green Truck Summit and Special Sessions. Green Truck Summit registration is also included in the Work Truck Show & Green Truck Summit Complete Event Package. The full list of educational sessions is available at www.ntea.com/worktruckshow/ educationalsessions. Best of luck in all your preparations for a busy and prosperous spring. LI