Conference Program:  Lessons of Decade (so far) & Where They're Taking Us

    Speaker: Susan Markgraf, chief adventurer at GreenMark Media
    Date: August 10, 2022 .... Time | Location: 1:00 - 1:45 p.m., Room 201-C

    Panelists/Guests:

    Lawson Thalmann, Ecommerce & Technology Manager at Chalet Susan Markgraf - chief adventurer at GreenMark Media - has worked for and represented horticulture and agriculture brands for the majority of her career, both as a working journalist and marketing communications strategist. Join her as she moderates a panel that will review the decade of the 2020s (so far) and what unique marketing challenges it has brought. If you're thinking traditional ways of marketing are still effective - you'd better stop that thinking now and get smart about what's here and what's emerging.

    Creative innovation is driving the way IGCs successfully marketed themselves through the first three years of the decade. What we did in 2020, 2021 and in 2022 will continue to evolve, build and thrive. Everyone knows that traditional marketing is dead and has given way to a big rise in content creation and strategic storytelling. Becoming the creator-influencer at your IGC is an essential component of your communications marketing strategy. (Yep, whether you like it or not: you'd better get on TikTok - it's growing by leaps and bounds as a superior targeted marcomm venue and was No. 1 on downloads in 2021.)
    It's also time to prepare for the Metaverse - it's coming and it will impact U.S. independent garden center brands. Hearing from  other IGC professionals, they'll share what lessons we want to take with us into 2023 and which ones we want to leave in the rearview mirror.



    Susan Markgraf is chief adventurer at GreenMark Media
    Susan has worked for and represented horticulture and agriculture brands for the majority of her career, both as a working journalist and marketing communications strategist. Called a "visionary" among her employers and clients in the sustainable industry, Susan is a greenpreneur, brand builder, strategic storyteller and message strategist whose skill includes extensive background as a media relations professional and decades of leadership in traditional and new marketing communications.

    Her company, GreenMark Media, exclusively represents brands in horticulture, agriculture and environmental sciences.

    GreenMark Media .... Specializing in green spaces, places & issues.™  
    GreenMark Media® - an eco-communications firm - is dedicated exclusively to helping sustainable businesses grow and to increasing awareness about our natural resources, the environment and sustainable communities. Our green PR firm delivers impactful communications through message development, content creation, digital marketing, earned media, public relations and strategic social media. GreenMark Media has an intense belief in teamwork, decades of branding experience and a commitment to building successful business relationships that yield exceptional results. Customized services help our sustainable clients make their green mark by effectively reaching intended audiences, resulting in impactful communications in the marketplace.

    Why GreenMark? Because "green" is all we do.
    From the environment, resiliency and climate change to green building, eco-tourism and outdoor living, strategic storytelling is GreenMark's specialty and caring for the Earth is our passion. GreenMark's clients represent the pillars of the sustainable industry. This provides networking and cross-promotable synergies that impacts their bottom line and grows their business, while elevating awareness of important sustainable issues. It all works together. Through our proprietary Grow Your Message Workshop™, GreenMark Media helps businesses articulate their values and purpose in the marketplace. Our workshop provides lasting and thorough internal and external communications, with every member of the team on the same page. This offers sustainable benefits and communications results direct to B2B and B2C targets.

    Address:   Chicago IL
    Email:  info@greenmarkpr.com
    Contact:   Susan Markgraf
    Phone:  847-917-9654   FAX: 

                 



    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.

    Registration / Event Directors:
    Rob Bailey:  (224) 355-6947 .... rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com
    Jim Reed:  (224) 688-0858 .... jim.reed@gardencentershow.com   


                     

    • 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.


               

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