Aug. 25, 2011, Toronto — “A tough economy and stiff competition makes for a challenging time in retail garden centres, but the pathway to success lies in getting back to basics and offering what today’s guests are looking for,” says Karl Stensson, president of Sheridan Nurseries.
Stensson, a third-generation nurseryman, has a lifetime of experience building a successful garden centre business. He has toured the world looking for what works – and what doesn’t – in building Canada’s largest, multi-branch garden centre business.
He will share those secrets in the keynote address kicking off Landscape Ontario’s Expo, Canada’s fall trade show for the garden and floral industry, on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
“The only constant in gardening retail is change,” says Stensson. “Being successful means more than stocking the latest trends in plants and accessories. Success comes from every aspect of the business, ensuring your guests have an enlightening and educational shopping experience.”
The lessons Stensson has learned have helped him grow Sheridan Nurseries into a grower-retailer operation that produces more than 700 varieties of plants on 400 hectares of land in Halton Hills and sells hardy ornamental plants, annuals, house plants, garden supplies, furniture, home décor and giftware at nine outlets in the Greater Toronto Area and Waterloo Region.
The registration fee for Karl Stensson’s presentation includes breakfast and an EXPO 2011 trade show badge. The Awards of Excellence Ceremony for the Garden Centre and Grower Programs, held during breakfast, is included. Tickets for Taking a Good Garden Centre and Making it GREAT are $55 for Landscape Ontario members and $75 for non-members. The early-bird pricing is in effect until Oct. 7, after which time prices will increase.
For industry professionals interested in the Expo 2011 trade show only, the registration fees for Landscape Ontario members are $10 and $15 for non-members until Oct. 7, with prices rising after that. Registration is now open. Visit www.loexpoca for details.
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