Sessions - Retail

Is Sustainability Really a Consumer Trend?

Joe Lamp’l, Joe Gardener

Like it or not, sustainability is a trend that is here to stay. It is becoming a way of life that we all need to grab hold of. The big boxes and famous brand retailers have recognized the trend and have positioned their product lines and marketing messages to incorporate sustainability. Hear this perspective on what the true “green” industry needs to be doing. 

Just How Much Sustainability Makes Cents & Sense?

Nathan Campbell, Danville Gardens Inc; Matt Horn, Matterhorn Nursery Inc; Stan Pohmer, Pohmer Consulting Group; Jennifer Schamber, Greenscape Gardens

Sustainability is one of many priorities, with its associated costs and opportunities, that an independent garden center (IGC) operator must balance as he or she plots their business course. Learn how these IGC operators consider the financial aspects and target audience when calculating how much sustainability makes sense for their business.  

How Do We Implement Sensible Sustainability?

Nathan Campbell, Danville Gardens Inc; Leslie Halleck, North Haven Gardens

After the planning comes the execution. Join these IGCers as they share their successes and “learning lessons” in implementing aspects - including structures, systems, procedures, products, and services – of sustainability in their operations.

Learning the Green Language

Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting

Customers are increasingly asking for green answers to their gardening questions. Sustainable recommendations can be more than just organic fertilizers. Get the knowledge to train your employees how to make recommendations with the sustainable products now available to retail garden centers. Real world examples and suggestions will be offered.  

Successful Sustainability Marketing Messages

Gillian Christie, Christie Communications; Leslie Halleck, North Haven Gardens; Jennifer Schamber, Greenscape Gardens

Learn from Gillian, a nationally recognized “green” public relations specialist, what is being done inside and outside our industry and what marketing angles work. Garden center panelists will share specific examples of what they do to market their message.  

Successful Sustainability Marketing Niches

Gillian Christie, Christie Communications; Leslie Halleck, North Haven Gardens; Jennifer Schamber, Greenscape Gardens

Put your company one step ahead of the competition. You heard some new marketing ideas, strategies, and examples during the previous session. Now it’s time to learn how you can use or adapt them to your business. Come prepared to ask questions and share your thoughts as Gillian and a panel of your peers discuss the possibilities and suggest “how to’s” based on the successes (and disappointments) they’ve experienced.  

A Call to Action: Roundup/2020 Vision

Charles Hall, Texas A&M University; Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company; Stan Pohmer, Pohmer Consulting Group

Join Charlie, Marvin, and Stan as they bring the sustainability section of the Retail Experience Conference to a close with a summary of the key points, strategies, sustainability calls to action, and action plans that were presented.  

Reception

Mix and mingle or just unwind after an intense day of educational sessions. Enjoy snacks and drinks while socializing with colleagues, speakers, and exhibitors.

Dinner with Peers

Our wildly successful Dinner with Peers opportunity returns. Join industry experts, fellow growers, and business owners for this unique dine-around event. This is the perfect opportunity to dine with an expert, meet new people, and share ideas in an intimate and relaxed environment. Groups are limited, so sign up early! This event is dutch treat (expect to pay $50 per person).

Retail Live!: Tour to Dallas Area Garden Centers

Terri Coldreck, Color Results; Nancy Durand

Get ready to tour! We’ll visit three stores that represent a diversity of retail concepts. There’s no doubt you’ll find ideas for your store - no matter the size or scope of your business.

Calloway’s Nursery is a Texas-based business that focuses on providing high quality garden products and customer service. There are 600 employees company-wide during the spring and 300 during the fall and winter. The company operates 16 stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and three stores (operating under the Cornelius name) in Houston. www.calloways.com

North Haven Gardens (NHG) has been a top destination for gardeners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1951. They are known for their high quality plant selection, hard-to-find varieties, and expert garden staff. Education is a big focus at NHG, and they provide an extensive calendar of free garden programs year-round. www.nhg.com

Jacksons Home & Garden is one of the most unique sources in Texas for gardeners, designers, architects, and homeowners. Jacksons has the largest pottery selection in the Southwest, and their product lines include outdoor appliances, gas lights and grills, patio furniture, fireplaces, fountains, gazebos, statuary, decorative furnishings for the home, and more. Strolling through the garden areas or the 2-story retail facility is a one-of-a-kind experience. www.thepatiostoreandmore.com

Tours Reloaded!

Terri Coldreck, Color Results; Nancy Durand

Join Nancy and Terri back at the hotel for an interactive show and tell recap (via photos) about the garden centers you visited. You’ll hear their expert opinions and learn several things you overlooked during the morning visits. They promise to send you home with a notebook full of strategies and a new mindset so you can take a fresh look at your operation.

Hot Shots Part 1: Ideas From Traveling Retailers That You Can Use

Lisa Campbell, Danville Gardens Inc; Tom Courtright, Orchard Nursery & Florist; Matt Horn, Matterhorn Nursery Inc; Jacquie Williams-Courtright, Alden Lane Nursery

Can’t afford to travel across the country to visit garden centers for all the great ideas and upcoming trends? This group has done the work for you and is willing to share many of the ideas they have seen while touring other garden centers close to home and around the world.  

Hiring and Firing … HR Issues

Kelly Wenzel, Odyssey OneSource

Get expert practical advice on hiring and firing that you can take home to implement in your business.  

Hot Shots Part 2: Ideas From Traveling Retailers That You Can Use

Lisa Campbell, Danville Gardens Inc; Tom Courtright, Orchard Nursery & Florist; Matt Horn, Matterhorn Nursery Inc; Jacquie Williams-Courtright, Alden Lane Nursery

This is a continuation of Part 1.

Financial Sustainability

Steve Bailey, Garden Center Group

The necessity for profit ensures the longevity (sustainability) of your business. Without financial success, sustainability in other forms will not exist. You’ll discover that sustainable practices have to be efficient and lend themselves to profitability in order to “contribute to the cause.”

2020 Vision: Looking to the Future

Lisa Campbell, Danville Gardens Inc; Jennifer Dennis, Purdue University; Matt Horn, Matterhorn Nursery Inc; Jimmy Turner, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden

Even though the year 2020 seems far away, it is really just around the corner. You have to be forward thinking and plan now for your independent garden center’s ongoing success. In this wrap-up session, the speakers will share conference highlights and more that will be key factors to growing your business.