NENA Members Discover Emerging Trends & Learn from Innovative Speakers at GROWS
New England GROWS, the Northeast's largest educational conference and green industry exposition, was held November 30 – December 2, 2016 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Thousands attended the conference and exhibition, taking away valuable insight learned at seminars as well as show specials and information provided by vendors.
NENA is a founding partner organization of New England GROWS. As such, NENA receives a grant each year from the proceeds, which the association uses to support regional industry research via the NENA/HRI Industry Growth Fund. Thank you to all who attended! Thanks also to Jake Pierson who represents NENA as a Director on the New England GROWS Board of Directors, Rich Clark, Past President on the GROWS board, and Ed Bemis and Mark Hixson who were NENA’s representatives on the New England GROWS Educational Advisory Committee.
Some of the conference topics at the 2016 show included:
Natural Landscape Design
for New England
Perennials: They May Be New
But Are They Good?
Understanding & Developing
Your Latino Workforce
Native Wildflower Meadows:
Planting for Success
High-Impact, Low-Care Plants
Creating Stunning Plant Communities that Stand the Test of Time
Perspectives on Soil Design
Seven Consumer Trends to Watch in 2017
Featured speakers included:
Rebecca Lindenmeyr of
Linden L.A.N.D. Group
Paul Westervelt of Saunders Brothers, Inc.
Larry Weaner of Larry
Weaner Landscape Associates
Tracy DiSabato-Aust of
DiSabato-Aust Design
Claudia West of North Creek Nurseries
John Swallow of
Pine & Swallow Environmental
Susan McCoy and Katie McCoy-Dubow of The Garden Media Group, among others.
Hundreds of regional and national vendors showed off the latest plants, products and technology for the green industry. Important industry trends like energy efficiency, soil health, water management, lower emissions, and worker safety were addressed by vendors at GROWS. Many suppliers offered substantial discounts to attendees and the show floor was buzzing with commerce.