2024 NNLA Winter Conference
Jack Parr of the Downtown Lincoln Association catches up with NCNLP certified professional Travis Fricke in the vendor hall in between presentations.
On January 25th and 26th, NNLA hosted its annual Winter Conference at UNL’s Innovation Campus in Lincoln, NE. The vendor hall was full and energized with twenty-five vendors in attendance. Over 180 people enjoyed the day- and-a-half conference full of networking and educational opportunities.
Thursday began with a welcome by NNLA boardpresident, Brett Schroer. Landscape designer, Kelly Norris spoke about site-specific planting design in both commercial and residential settings. He was followed by Riley Johnson, Michigan State University researcher, who informed attendees of the data they collected on remediating circling roots when planting container-grown trees through slicing, shaving and bare-rooting techniques. Lunch was held in the exhibit hall where members were able to catch up with vendors. The annual meeting took place just after lunch.
There was a full house at the NNLA Winter Conference hosted at UNL’s Innovation Campus in Lincoln, with over 25 vendors in attendance.
Mardi Dover, landscape designer out of North Carolina, kicked off the afternoon session with her presentation on how to evaluate if a client is a good fit and how to define an ideal client. With a presentation focusing on four different insects, Jody Green, extension educator and urban entomologist, educated members on what to look for and how to responsibly treat for various insect pests and how to support native bees. Ending the presentations for the day, Scott Searcey shared his expertise on how to successfully start a business or to grow an existing business.
That evening, a reception was held at the Scarlet Hotel. Attendees enjoyed drinks and food and took the opportunity to socialize and relax after a day full of learning and networking.
Friday featured a panel of Women in Landscape moderated by Sheila Schrader. The panel included Mardi Dover, Nancy Sohns, Christine Karloff, and Ashly Neneman. After another break to visit vendors, the raffle drawing was held. All proceeds raised in the raffle go to the NNLA scholarship fund. Through the raffle, the fund raised over $800. Graham Herbst of the Nebraska Forest Service educated attendees on what he calls a “Swiss Army landscape”which includes food, functionality, and fun. Don Josko was slated to speak but was unable to attend. To fill the speaker spot, a panel to discuss supply chain issues in the tree and nursery stock industry was moderated by Jason Kuehl. The panel featured Robert Clark, Jack McCarthy, and Aaron Oltmans. President Brett Schroer concluded the conferencewith a quick thank you to vendors and to endees for making the conference a success.
Christine Karloff of Urban Roots Nursery shares her insight into the challenges and rewards of being a woman in the landscape industry. She was joined by conference presenter Mardi Dover, Nancy Sohns of S&N Landscape Design and Ashly Neneman of Sun Valley Landscaping while Sheila Schrader of Schrader Landscape Design moderated the panel.
When a presenter was unable to attend, a panel discussing supply chain issues in tree and nursery stock production shared their perspectives. Jason Kuehl of Mirage Enterprises moderated the panel which included Robert Clark of Bailey Nurseries, Jack McCarthy of Kaspar Nursery, Aaron Oltmans of Plains Tree Farm and Oak Prairie Nursery.
Scott Searcy, financial advisor and former landscaper, discussed important factors to consider when starting a new business or trying to optimize and grow an existing business.
Extension educator and urban entomologist, Jody Green, shared updates on emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, bag worms and native bees.
Graham Herbst, community forestry specialist with the Nebraska Forest Service, asking the hard questions about typical landscapes: “WTF, where’s the food, functionality, fun?” in his presentation on Swiss army landscapes.
Bob Henrickson of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum asks a question of presenter Kelly Norris.
Kelly Norris, Iowa-based landscape designer and writer, shares photos from a naturalistic landscape he created at the Blank Performing Arts Center at Simpson College south of Des Moines, IA.
NNLA board president, Brett Schroer of Urban Roots Nursery, was all smiles as he and Jennifer Eurek, executive manager of NNLA, drew tickets for raffle items. All proceeds from the raffle go to the NNLA scholarship fund which awards scholarships to students attending a Nebraska college or university pursuing a degree in horticulture.
Riley Johnson, researcher in Michigan State University’s tree physiology lab, shares data on different treatment methods to remediate circling roots when planting container-grown trees.
Mardi Dover, North Carolina based landscape designer and business coach, shared her insights into how to determine if a client is a good fit, defining an ideal client and to look out for red flags.