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Friday, January 16

Click on Instructor's Name for a Short Bio

Session 1: What Landscapers Are Saying When They Say Nothing at All! – Communication Tips for Effective Leaders
L Talley 
Instructor: Linda Talley, Linda Talley

As a landscaper, you think that people follow you because of what you say, and you would be right. However, what people really follow is your body language because people are always communicating—even when they are saying nothing at all. Actions speak louder than words! Whether you are a business owner, a manager or staff person, there are times when you must be able to establish your leadership skills and lead. Make sure you know how to do that effectively. Learn key actions that leaders do to mis-communicate and the “fixes” they can make in order to be a congruent leader.

Learning objectives:
1. Learn techniques to improve your self-confidence, energy, and enthusiasm.
2. Learn how to re-align your thoughts/words/actions to get what you really want in your business!
3. Learn how to get rid of the little things that make you “invisible.”
4. Create a framework to put your experience, know-how, character, and unique new skills to work.
5. Learn how perception and reality are both critical to your leadership and how to influence others to respond positively to you!
This seminar qualifies for 1.5 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Concrete Paver Business Professional Program.

Session 2: Boost Your Bottom Line
G. Hedley
Instructor: George Hedley, HARDHAT Presentations

Business owners leave lots of money on the table by not using all the tools available to maximize their bottom-line. This program will give you big business tools that you can implement and use to make more money and immediately boost your net profit margin. You will receive strategies, tactics, tricks, tips, and step by step methods that professional business owners use. You will learn how to sell at a higher price, take advantage of every discount, buy materials cheaper, get a double markup, improve field crew efficiency, maximize your tools and equipment, finish jobs faster, get rid of poor performers, use variable markup techniques, increase change order pricing, get people to make better decisions, stop losing money in the field, and add incentives that work. A fast paced, no nonsense, fun program with lots of lots of practical action steps presented by a George Hedley, builder of a $50 million business.  This seminar qualifies for 1.5 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Concrete Paver Business Professional Program.

Session 3: Strategies For Success In a Slower Market
M Porter
Instructor: Monroe Porter, PROOF Management

The goal of this program is to offer realistic and usable tips a contractor can implement in a slower market.   This presentation highlights fatal flaws with input on how to correct the situation. Some of the topics included are ways to lower costs, the importance of maintaining margins, why a new market may not help you, pricing strategies and much more.  Participants will immediately understand why hard work alone will not save their business.  This seminar qualifies for 1.5 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Concrete Paver Business Professional Program.

Session 4: Developing a Site Safety Plan
M. Jacobs
Instructor: Milton Jacobs, Safety-Solutions Consultants

At the end of this interactive workshop you will have completed Basic safety plan for your organization.  Handouts will include a model safety plan that can be customized to your operation.

Presentation highlights include:

This seminar qualifies for 1.5 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Level II Concrete Paver Installer Program.

Session 5: What's a Body To Say?  Successful Business Negotiation Is All About Interpretation!
B Menard
Instructor: Bob Menard, Robert Menard: The Voice of the Customer

Body Language is an arcane study that intrigues us all.  We tend to focus on the message being sent to us while disregarding the messages we send to others.  The mastery of Body Language interpretation of others and control of our own messages leads to greater success in business negotiation. 

This presentation will be highly visual, interactive and participatory.  The duel goals are entertainment and education.  Come prepared to enjoy and participate in this session.  You'll be amazed!  Click here for additional information on "What's a Body to Say?  Successful Business Negotiation Is All About Interpretation!"  This seminar qualifies for 1.5 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Concrete Paver Business Professional Program.

Session 6: How To Find and Hire the Best Workers
B. Dusin
Instructor: Bob Dusin, Gangbox, Inc.

In this session, we’ll discuss where to find today’s “winners” and how to recruit them.  You will also learn valuable interviewing questions and techniques to find out the most about your candidates in the short amount of time we have to talk with them.  Making the final hiring decision must be more than a “gut” reaction.  Let’s get it right the first time!  This seminar qualifies for 1.5 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Concrete Paver Business Professional Program.

Session 7: Hardscape Distributors: How to Thrive in Challenging Times
S Hedberg  F Nicolia  J Levy 
Panel: (from left to right) Bill Burke, Arizona Stone & Architectural Products, Steve Hedberg (pictured), Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supplies, Frank Nicolia (pictured), State Material Mason Supply and Jon Levy (pictured), Stone Forest Materials.

Join the leaders in hardscape products distribution and learn how to increase profits by improving the sales and operations side of your business. This 4-hour program is designed for distribution owners, managers, and staff.  This session is co-sponsored by Brickstop Corporation, Seal 'n LockTM System Corporation, Snap Edge Corporation, SRW Products and TenCate Geosynthetics. 

E Fioroni
Participants will hear how to thrive in a down economy in a keynote address by Ed Fioroni, Chairman of the Board, ICPI, and a 30 year veteran of work in distribution channels.

The program also features roundtable workshops with these timely topics:

1. Growing your business with contractors
2. Where and when to spend advertising dollars
3. Best Practices: Operations
4. Best Practices: Inventory Control
5. Sales floor training
6. Strategic planning 
7. Effective collections
8. Working effectively with manufacturers

Distributors will leave the program with a clear understanding of the needs of contractor customers, specific challenges distributors are facing in a down economy, and practical, low-cost solutions that can be implemented for a successful 2009 and beyond.  Click here for additional information on "Hardscape Distributors: How to Thrive in Challenging Times."

Hands-On Best Practices for Segmental Paver Installation
K Roessger
Instructor: Kevin Roessger, School for Advanced Segmental Paving

Developed for the Hardscape North America show by the School for Advanced Segmental Paving, the Hands-on Best Practices for Segmental Paver Installation course provides attendees with a typical sand-set paver project. Both concrete and clay paver installation techniques will be included in the course.  During the outdoor class, students will have the opportunity to practice the techniques taught by the instructor.  The hands-on outdoor activities will be a majority of the training with the indoor portion providing the background and framework for the outdoor class.  This class is excellent for anyone wishing to refresh or learn new job site skills.  To ensure quality training and a true hands-on experience, register early!  Only 16 students will be allowed in each class.  This program is co-sponsored by ICPI and BIA.  This program qualifies for 8 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Level II Concrete Paver Installer Program.

NCMA SRW Hands-On Installation Basic Course
T Huiniker
Instructor: Tim Huinker, Anchor Wall Systems, NCMA SRW Trainer

Get hands-on training on how to install a concrete segmental retaining wall (SRW) – this course is a must for hardscape installers of all experience levels! Participants will be guided by a seasoned expert through the critical steps of an actual SRW installation, including:

Participants receive an NCMA Certificate of Completion.  Please come prepared to work!  Boots and work clothes are strongly suggested.  NCMA will provide safety glasses and gloves.  This program qualifies for 7 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Level II Concrete Paver Installer Program.

NCMA SRW Hands-On Installation Advanced Course
R Birdwell
Instructor: Ronnie H. Birdwell, Sims Stone, NCMA SRW Trainer, Certified SRWI Installer, NCMA SRW Contractor Task Force Member, NCMA AIA/CES Continuing Education Facilitator, NAHB Concrete Hardscaping Course Instructor, ICPI Paver Installer Trainer

Take your hardscape installation skills to the next level!  This hands-on training increases your value to your customers by teaching you advanced segmental retaining wall (SRW) applications and installation techniques.  A nationally recognized trainer with 25 years of contracting experience will guide you through these advanced topics, including:

Participants receive an NCMA Certificate of Completion.  Please come prepared to work!  Boots and work clothes are strongly suggested.  NCMA will provide safety glasses and gloves.  This program qualifies for 7 CEU credit hours towards the ICPI Level II Concrete Paver Installer Program.