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/96774
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Higgins Road, Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 720-5600 • Fax: (847) 720-5601 Account Representatives: Bruce Loria 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 500,Los Angeles, CA 90017 Ph: 213-596-7226 • bloria@m2media360.com Leslie Palmer 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste 202, Beverly Hills, MI 48025 Ph: 248-530-0300, ext. 1401 • lpalmer@m2media360.com Classified Sales / Marketplace: Glenn Datz Phone: 213-596-7220 Fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com www.landscapeirrigation.com John Kmitta Irrigation and Inspiration T ony Robbins, the famous self-help author and motivational speaker, headlined an event Nov. 4 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. I was only passing the Robbins' event on my way to the 2012 Irrigation Show & Education Conference, but just walking by the auditorium provided a glimpse of the energy contained within that room and the enthusiasm of those in attendance. On Nov. 5, irrigation industry professionals showed that they can be just as passionate and exuberant. Only minutes into the Irrigation Show General Session, Emcee Desi Williamson had pumped up the energy inside the Chapin Theater to the point that he was able to elicit repeated cheers of "super fantastic." "Super fantastic" became the go-to buzzwords throughout the general session and keynote, and I'm certain the phrase will have some long-term retention value among attendees as well. But the sentiment was not unfounded, as industry professionals came together that week not only to meet and learn and grow, but to celebrate the industry. At the forefront of the general session was the Irrigation Association's (IA's) recognition of the 2012 IA Award Winners, which were as follows: Excellence in Education Award — Greg Farrens, Walla Walla Community College Person of the Year — Dr. Freddie Lamm, PE, Kansas State University Partner of the Year — North Carolina Green Industry Council Crawford Reid Memorial Award — Chris Le Conte, CIC, CLIA, Smart Watering Systems National Energy and Conservation Award — Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County Industry Achievement Award — Ray and Sue York, Ewing Irrigation Products During the general session, IA President-elect Bob Dobson, CIC, CID, shared his comments via video. Dobson could not be in attendance at the show, because he was busy tending to his business and his employees, which had been ravaged just days prior to the show by Hurricane Sandy. Seeing Dobson share his foresight about the industry while dealing with such devastation resonated with attendees, and showed the commitment and dedication of association leaders to this industry. Other comments that resonated during the event were those of keynote speaker, Charlie Hall, Ph.D., professor of horticulture, Ellison Chair in international floriculture, Texas A&M University. Hall's keynote focused on economic factors and how they impact the irrigation industry. He urged attendees to pay attention to the Leading Economic Index (LEI) as providing the best indication of the economy months in advance. He also indicated that the 2013 home improvement market is forecast to grow by 5 percent; gas prices are forecast to drop to an average of $3.43 per gallon in 2013 (down from $3.58 per gallon); and real personal consumption expenditures will be up."People want things that enhance their quality of life," said Hall. "Do people want the services we offer?" Hall added that water quality, water quantity and water conservation must remain the focus. He applauded industry professionals for coming together for the Education Conference. Hall also urged attendees to continue down the road to being irrigation experts, but reminded everyone that, "Education has got to be not only educating ourselves, but educating our end users." In the end, if all irrigation industry professionals — including those not at the show — can take those examples and those messages to heart, it would indeed be "super LI fantastic." Landscape and Irrigation 5