I plug the CanWest Horticulture Expo every year because it’s a fun multi-day event. It’s also the premier horticulture event in British Columbia. Mark September 26-28, 2017 on your calendar.
Sponsorship
Personally, I think it’s a great investment of time and money. I am actually very fortunate because my employer budgets for the event. Both my seminars and time off were covered. Ask your employer to do the same. I walked out with eight (8) important CEU credits that count for both ISA and Landscape Industry Certified.
Seminars
The Urban Forester’s Symposium is a full-day, $300+ event; lunch included. Good for five (5) ISA CEUs. Note: trade show pass comes free with the symposium registration. Most lectures are awesome and you’ll be surprised at the people you run into. Former bosses and co-workers, some shocked because they’ve been told there is no life after company XY. Then they see Vas! Now a proud Red Seal Journeyman Horticulturist.
Shorter lectures are also available. Pick what interests you and go. Bring a notebook. Do some networking. Ask questions. Steal candy like me.
Trade floor booths
This is every landscape blogger’s heaven. You can check out new products, plants on display, there are people to befriend and business cards to collect, questions to ask, candy and pens to steal. I love it. I tested my plant ID skills just by visiting nursery booths.
By far the most popular place to visit is the plant ID booth. I am very happy to report that I scored 100% last year. As Red Seal Journeyman Horticulturist I expect no less. Winning one of the gift baskets is a nasty lottery. Do not leave your plant ID skills to chance. Work on it. This kind of work never ends.
It is not all work
It is not all work, of course. People come to enjoy food and the beer gardens. If you are brave enough, you can go outside and test out landscape machines. I just took pictures and bought coffee from a mobile restaurant. I remember the lovely barista behind the counter more than the machines.
There is also a job board with postings from slightly desperate landscape companies. Post a job or find a new job.
Many times I hear from landscape bosses that they are too busy to attend the show. I believe it is a mistake. This is a premier horticulture event in British Columbia. Yes, having a mid-week event is not very convenient but I say do it. See you there this fall!
