The Empire State Green Industry Show, which will be held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center Jan. 7-9, 2009, will feature many educational sessions and events tailored for those who work in all aspects of the turf industry. Hosted by the New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA), Nursery and Landscape Association (NYSNLA), and New York State Arborists – ISA Chapter, Inc. (NYSA), the show also gives attendees the opportunity to network with professionals from different industry backgrounds. Education tracks, featuring nursery and landscape, arborist and turf sessions, will offer CNLP, ISA, DEC credits and more.
Key green industry vendors will showcase their products and services at the 200 booth trade show. Those interested in exhibiting can view a map of available booth space on the show web site. The 2007 booth price remains in effect for the 2009 show and includes conference registration for two representatives. To reserve exhibit space, contact Jill Cyr at show@nysta.org.
According to Owen Regan, President of the New York State Turfgrass Association, “The Empire State Green Industry Show is unique in that it caters to a wide range of green industry professionals. Those who are looking for information specific to their professions will find a wealth of opportunities here. However, networking with professionals from different backgrounds provides even more prospects for growth and learning. I encourage anyone who has not attended the Empire State Green Industry Show to come to Rochester and see what the buzz is about. And, those that come back each year, we look forward to seeing again in January.”
Many accredited sessions will be presented by prominent turf, nursery and landscape, and arborist industry professionals. Featured speakers include Paul Vincelli, Ph.D., extension professor at the University of Kentucky who will review the role of fungicides in turf disease management and discuss non-fungicidal management options. He’ll also review basic plant diagnostics in the field and laboratory, and the difficulty determining the cause of turfgrass diseases. Marty Petrovic, Ph.D., professor of turfgrass science at Cornell University, will discuss how to add precision to a nutrient management program in order to save money, control turf quality and minimize pest problems. John Ball, Ph.D., professor of forestry at South Dakota State University will discuss all aspects of tree care including transplanting, diagnostics, plant health care and IPM, marketing techniques, tree risk liability and arborist safety. For a full listing of all classes and descriptions, click here.
Round table luncheon discussions, which were introduced at the last show, proved to be very popular with attendees and have been brought back this year. On Jan. 7, from noon–1:30 p.m., registered participants will be given the opportunity to meet with expert facilitators, have lunch, and exchange ideas with colleagues. Sample forums include, “Biological Control,” facilitated by Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, ornamental entomologist and owner, Buglady Consulting; “Solving Nursery and Landcape Tree and Shrub Problems,” facilitated by Brian Eshenaur, Western New York Ornamental IPM Specialist, Cornell University; “Pest Management
Issues in the Landscape,” facilitated by Rick Harper, IPM extension resource educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County; and “Marketing the “Green” in Green Industry Products,” facilitated by Betsy Lamb, Ph.D., Cornell University IPM Program.
Another forum back by popular demand is the “NYSDEC Panel Discussion and Breakfast” scheduled for the morning of Jan. 9. Participants are invited to have breakfast with three New York State Department of Environmental Conservation representatives and have questions answered on a variety of topics including neighbor notification, lawn care contract implementation and fuel tank inspections. There is a $15 fee for the required breakfast portion of this program.
The opening reception of the trade show will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 4:15–7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. Live demonstrations have been scheduled on Thursday including a weed identification at the Cornell University, New York State IPM booth; tree pruning by Rex Bastian, Ph.D., vice president of field education and development, The Care of Trees; and insect identification demonstration at the Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic booth.
The New York State Nursery and Landscape Association will hold their Annual Membership Dinner and Nurserymen’s Foundation Silent Auction Jan.6 at 7 p.m. at the Clarion Riverside Hotel. During this event, the NYSNLA board, staff and members come together to formally induct the 2009 State Board of Directors, recognize the accomplishments of members and honor attendees for their dedication to the green industry. To pre-register or for more information, contact Kim Tiberia at 518/694-4430.
The International Society of Arborists (ISA) exam will be held Jan. 7 from 1–5 p.m. at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Pre-registration is required and available only through ISA. Click here for more information.
On Jan. 8, the NYSA Annual Live Tree Fund Auction, which supports tree research throughout the world, will take place along with a cocktail reception from 5-9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. To pre-register, obtain more information or donate items, contact David Hayner at 845/855-0225.
For students, the NYSTA Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition will be held on Thursday, January 8 from 10 am to 4 pm. The competition is designed to test students’ knowledge of turfgrasses and the weeds, diseases, and insects that affect them. High-scoring teams and individuals are recognized with cash prizes, certificates, a one-year student membership to NYSTA and the honor of taking back to their school the silver Turf Bowl. To pre-register individuals and teams, contact Turf Bowl coordinator, David Chinery, Rensselaer County Cornell Cooperative Extension, at 518/272-4210 by Dec. 15.
The Empire State Green Industry Show has been endorsed by Cornell University, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Cobleskill, New York State Association of Cemeteries, Nassau Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds.
Attendee and exhibitor registration is now available on line. For more information on the 2009 Empire State Green Industry Show, call the show office 800/873-8873, 518/783-1229, or visit www.nysta.org.
