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Success in a tough market

Retailing guru Judy Sharpton and veteran greenhouse consultant Melhem Sawaya will be among the presenters at next month’s Alberta Green Industry Show & Conference.

Retailing guru Judy Sharpton and veteran greenhouse consultant Melhem
Sawaya will be among the presenters at next month’s Alberta Green
Industry Show & Conference.

Retailing guru Judy Sharpton will lead “A Merchandising Walk”
New products and varieties are spotlighted in the trade show
Carol Maier, of Country Road Greenhouses in Sherwood Park (left), and AGGA president Rob van Dam, of Westland Greenhouses in Redcliff, presented the association’s 2008 Blossoms for the Cure donation to Michelle Ponich, Annual Fund Development Officer with the Alberta Cancer Foundation. The presentation was made during last year’s AGGA annual general meeting held during the Green Industry Conference. Visit www.agga.ca for more on the annual campaign. Maier launched Blossoms for the Cure in memory of a cousin who died from cancer in December 2006. Some $6,600 was raised last year. Advertisement

The Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA) and Landscape Alberta
Nursery Trades Association are again working together to host the
conference that will be held Nov. 19 to 20 in Edmonton’s Shaw
Conference Centre.

The educational sessions run each day to 12:30 p.m., giving delegates
time to visit the trade show in the afternoon. The trade show opens
each day at 11 a.m.

GROWER AND RETAILER SESSIONS ON NOV. 19
Customer Service Activism, by Roy Prevost of Oakray Marketing Services Ltd.

Setting up a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System, by Jim Brown of Seville, Ohio.

Successful Production of Calibrachoa, Ivy Geraniums and Reiger Begonias, by Melhem Sawaya of Focus Greenhouse Management.

Make Your Merchandise Work for You: Understanding the Principles & Elements of Design, by Kim Wickwire of Olds College.

Weed Control in Nursery Production: Herbicides & Sprayers, by Mario Lanthier of CropHealth Advising & Research.

Diversifying Your Greenhouse Business, by Jim Brown.

Are You Making Money on Mixed Containers? by Melhem Sawaya of Focus Greenhouse Management.

Motivating & Retaining Employees, by Roy Prevost of Oakray Marketing Services Ltd.

Favourite New Plants for the Prairies, by Shane Neufeld of Bron & Sons Nursery Co., and Ken Riske of Millcreek Nursery Ltd.

The Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA) will host its annual
general meeting and luncheon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.  The association
will host its annual awards banquet at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is
required for both events.

GROWER AND RETAILER SESSIONS ON NOV. 20
When Do Production Problems Become Economic Problems?” by industry
consultant Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza, of Edmonton, and Nabi Chaudhary of
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (AARD).

Greenhouse Vegetable Diseases, by Dr. Ron Howard of AARD.

Using Technology to Achieve Total Quality Management (TQM), by Peter Johnston-Berresford of Olds College.

The Store as a Marketing Tool, by Judy Sharpton of Growing Places Marketing.

Biochar: Growing Medium of the Future, by Dr. Nick Savidov of AARD.

Producing Quality Bedding Plants for a Diversified Market, by Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza.

Offering a Garden Centre Diagnostics Service, by Dr. Ken Fry of Olds College.

Developing the Perfect Garden Centre Product Category, by Judy Sharpton.

Business Success in a Tough Market, a panel discussion with Jim Hole of
Hole’s Greenhouses and Gardens Ltd., John Zaplatynsky,of GardenWorks,
Bob Sproule of Salisbury Greenhouses & Landscaping, and Joe Doef of
Doef’s Greenhouses Ltd.

Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza will conduct a conference wrapup from 12:25 to 12:50 p.m.

A special attraction during this year’s show is the opportunity to join
Judy Sharpton, a garden centre design specialist, on A Merchandising
Walk of the trade show floor to identify product placements that can
enhance customer sales. This session sold out last time, so register
early as there are only 15 spaces available.

www.greenindustryshow.com