 Conference Program: Reaching the Techno Kids Generation
Date: TBD .... Time: TBD
You're less likely to bring them into your center, so how do you reach them. Get back to sustainable self reliance with the power of web based apps, including social media, podcasting, video training and product suppliers web based offerings.
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 About "Your Midwest Garden" Podcast!
A casual conversation about gardening in the Midwest with Toledo's Garden Guy, Mike O'Rourke and Rookie Gardener, Scott Sandstrom. Mike interviews various guests, from experts to local DIY gardeners in a relaxed conversation. While Scott keeps the subjects down to the weekend warrior level. We hope you enjoy each podcast episode, as even the most basic topics can reveal a surprise tip or hint you may not know about! Your Midwest Garden is sponsored by Black Diamond Nursery & Lawn Service. Serving Toledo, OH area since 1953! |
Mike O’Rourke, Toledo’s Garden Guy, has been involved in the gardening for more than 35 years. O’Rourke has retired from Black Diamond Garden Centers just last year and still maintains volunteer status in many local agencies and gardening groups in the Toledo, OH area. O’Rourke has hosted many types of electronic media shows and speaking engagements. He has a communications degree and is a natural in front of an audience or camera lens. Mike jumped at the chance to host “Your Midwest Garden Podcast” as a continued way of teaching fellow gardeners through a new technology medium.
Scott Sandstrom is a freelance TV sport audio engineer, whose wife and family own Black Diamond Garden Center & Lawn Service. In the past few years, and especially during the Covid sports shutdown, he has also worked at Black Diamond. Filling a utility role and absorbing the knowledge of plants at the same time, Sandstrom has caught the gardening bug. The mixture of his talents made producing and then co-hosting “Your Midwest Garden Podcast” a common-sense idea. Sandstrom has been in broadcasting for 37 years. He has edited many TV commercials, worked all kinds of sports and mixed shows at the major league level. Networks he has been involved with include: CBS, CBSSN, NBC, FOX, ESPN, BTN and many regional sports networks.
It’s Time To Get Together Again ... A WHOLE NEW TRADE SHOW DESIGNED JUST FOR IGCs
The Garden Center Show for independent garden center (IGC) owners and professionals is the premier event for IGCs. We bring together the brightest minds and hottest products in one place at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a conference and exhibition. All attendees receive access to exhibit hall, keynote sessions and inaugural networking reception on Wednesday, Aug. 10th
The Garden Centers of America (GCA) is the supporting partner of the Garden Center Show.
The Garden Center Show for IGCs brings together thousands of retailers and hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and equipment you need to succeed. Register now to discover your next big seller and your next technological advance. You'll save thousands of dollars or your next pioneering idea to take your business to a higher level.
- Meet with vendors you haven’t seen in two years.
- Add variety to your product mix by finding new vendors.
- Expand your knowledge in peer-to-peer education program sponsored by Garden Centers of America.
- Network with other top IGCs.
The Garden Center Show has everything you need to succeed in 2022!
All attendees receive access to the exhibit hall, keynote sessions and the inaugural networking reception on Wednesday, August 10 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Join fellow attendees and industry leaders for an evening of networking!
A Garden Center Tour
Designed to Inspire
Network with fellow garden center professionals and energize your business with fresh retail strategies from independent garden centers counted among the best in the great Milwaukee market, all while saving $100 per team member. On-board moderators will get the wheels rolling, revealing the best practices that put these IGC retailers on top. Then see firsthand what makes them so special as you explore each location. Watch the ideas spark as you fill your to-do list with new possibilities for profit, then get back to your hotel in plenty of time to enjoy dinner and nightlife in downtown Milwaukee. Transportation and lunch included. Conducted in conjunction with Garden Centers of America. Book early — this tour is a favorite among Garden Center Show-goers and has sold out in previous years!
WISCONSIN CENTER
400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
wisconsincenter.com
SHOW HOURS
Tuesday, Aug. 9: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 10: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 11: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SMARTWORK MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW GARDEN CENTER SHOW FOR IGCs IN AUGUST 2022
SmartWork Media announces the launch of THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs to be held Aug. 9-11, 2022 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee. The three-day national-level event is expected to draw 700 booths and thousands of buyers from across the country. This event will offer special educational opportunities aimed at addressing the most essential purchasing, marketing and management questions that independent garden centers face today.
The show will partner with Garden Centers of America to bring IGCs a day touring local Milwaukee garden centers on Aug. 9, and GCA will help design the show’s conference program, bringing real-life, actionable how-tos that will help IGCs thrive.
SmartWork Media CEO Matthijs Braakman explains why this show was created: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there were no Midwest garden center shows in 2020, and at this time, we don’t see any scheduled for 2021 either. The industry needs to have an opportunity to get together to conduct business in 2021,” Braakman said. “With our many years of expertise in producing B2B magazines and shows focused on the retail industry, the new GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs fits well into our model, and we look forward to sharing this expertise with the independent garden center industry.”
THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs is being directed by Rob Bailey, who has more than 35 years of trade show experience. From 2015 to 2020, Bailey was the show manager for the IGC Show, and he will be bringing his leadership, expertise and knowledge of the industry to the show. “Over the past five years, I have enjoyed working with thousands of independent garden center owners, building relationships and helping to grow their businesses,” Bailey said. “I am thrilled that SmartWork Media has provided an opportunity to continue that work with the new Garden Center Show. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces in August!”
Bailey’s co-director will be Jim Reed, a trade show veteran of 30-plus years as well, with 20 of those year spent in the management of B2B retail industry shows and two years with the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, a consumer show. Reed sees THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs as an opportunity to educate retailers in new ways. “We’re looking to focus on some new educational topics targeting the interaction between the IGC and their customers,” Reed said. “We don’t want to just give them ideas but to also give them time to develop these ideas at the show. When they leave, they will have a plan in hand that will allow them to implement what they learned immediately.”
For more information on THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW for IGCs, visit gardencentershow.com or contact Rob Bailey at (224) 355-6947, rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com, or Jim Reed at (224) 688-0858, jim.reed@gardencentershow.com.