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What happens when winter professionals gather in the summer heat? Magic, connections, and serious business growth.

The Snow & Ice Management Association's annual symposium is just days away, and in this engaging conversation, Martin Tirado shares why "Getting Groovy in Grand Rapids" is the can't-miss industry event of the year. Beyond the impressive equipment displays and educational sessions, the symposium creates a unique ecosystem where professionals of all experience levels exchange knowledge that transforms their operations.

As Martin reveals, the business impact can be extraordinary. One attendee arrived with modest expectations and left with a quarter-million dollars in new business—simply from casual conversations on the trade show floor. These organic networking opportunities allow companies to expand their service reach, overcome regional limitations, and build partnerships that elevate the entire industry.

The trade show this year showcases cutting-edge innovations that are reshaping winter operations. From AI tools that instantly translate content into dozens of languages to robotics that address workforce challenges, the symposium demonstrates how technology enables companies to work smarter rather than harder. These solutions are particularly appealing to younger professionals entering the field, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional operations.

For first-time attendees feeling nervous about what they bring to the table, Martin offers reassuring guidance: come with an open mind, leave fears behind, and focus on finding just three key takeaways. The popular "Snack and Chat" format—featuring table discussions on approximately 50 different topics—creates intimate exchanges where everyone contributes valuable insights, regardless of company size or experience level.

Ready to elevate your snow and ice management operation while connecting with North America's most dedicated winter professionals? Join us in Grand Rapids starting June 16th—where learning, camaraderie, and business opportunities come together in an unforgettable week that will transform how you approach your business when the snow finally falls.

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Greg Thistle, Regional Vice President at SiteOne, brings 25 years of green industry wisdom to this episode, sharing how a curious 21-year-old evolved into a landscape industry leader. His journey reveals the surprising career trajectories available in landscaping—from entry-level positions to executive leadership—challenging the perception that trades offer limited growth compared to college-track careers.

The conversation delves into what truly drives success in the modern landscape business: meaningful relationships. Greg unpacks SiteOne's "customer first" philosophy, explaining how being friendly, respectful, and solution-oriented transforms business interactions from transactional to relational. "When our customers win, we win," Greg emphasizes, highlighting how this partnership approach has become even more crucial in today's budget-conscious market where customers need tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all proposals.

Technology emerges as a critical catalyst for industry evolution. From stone magnets and tree movers that save backs to business management software that elevates professionalism, Greg illustrates how embracing the right tools helps overcome traditional barriers. For an industry where many entrepreneurs lack formal business education, technology now makes sound business decisions possible "without spending 40 hours in a chair." Greg also shares fascinating glimpses into emerging trends, including the shift toward maintenance-friendly landscapes featuring natives and automation, and SiteOne's community outreach efforts that create pathways for future generations. His advice to newcomers? "Be curious about what's out there"—because finding the right position makes this industry "so much fun and rewarding."

Tune in to discover how mentorship, customer experience excellence, and strategic technology adoption are transforming the landscape industry into a field ripe with opportunity. Whether you're a seasoned pro or considering a green industry career, Greg's insights will change how you view the business of creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces.

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Ever wonder why the people who design our outdoor spaces, build our patios, and maintain our landscapes rarely talk to each other? Angelique Robb did, and she decided to do something about it.

The founder of Synkd magazine joins Jay Rotonnelli to share her fascinating journey from petroleum engineering on oil rigs to revolutionizing how outdoor living professionals connect across specialized disciplines. Her unique background gave her perspective on an industry problem hiding in plain sight: fragmentation.

"We have all these silos," Angelique explains. "Landscape architecture is one, but erosion control is a whole discipline... green infrastructure... there are a lot of linkages, but we have all these different niches." This disconnection prevents professionals from delivering their best work and elevates those rare companies that can provide comprehensive solutions.

With 86% of landscape businesses having fewer than nine employees, most struggle to stay innovative while managing daily operations. These small companies rarely have time to attend conferences or research industry advancements. Synced aims to meet these professionals where they are—whether through print publications, digital content, podcasts, or regional events—to facilitate knowledge sharing across disciplines.

The conversation highlights how COVID accelerated consumer interest in outdoor living, creating opportunities for professionals who understand the difference between customer service and customer experience. "Now we talk about customer experience more than customer service because they're two different things," Jay notes. This evolution requires breaking down walls between specialists to deliver cohesive outdoor environments.

Angelique shares exciting news about Synkd's expansion plans, including events in New Orleans and Scottsdale in 2026, and invites listeners to connect directly with feedback about what would best serve their professional development. After all, as she puts it, "If we don't force ourselves together, we'll never come together naturally."

Ready to expand your professional network beyond your specialty? Connect with Angelique on LinkedIn or visit synkd.io to join a movement that's elevating the entire outdoor living industry through cross-disciplinary collaboration.

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The relationship between landscapers and plant suppliers forms the backbone of successful outdoor projects—yet few understand the complex forecasting, growing processes, and industry knowledge required to bring the right plants to the right place at the right time.

Donnie Piccarello from Pearson Nurseries brings decades of horticultural wisdom to this enlightening conversation about what's happening in the nursery business today. With candid insights about post-pandemic plant availability challenges and thoughtful perspective on sustainability trends, Donnie articulates how the five-to-eight year growing cycle for many landscape specimens means today's planting decisions impact availability far into the future.

The discussion explores the delicate balance between trending native plant enthusiasm and practical applications, with Donnie offering nuanced thoughts on when and where sustainability practices make the most sense. "You can't take and flip the switch quickly," he explains when discussing landscape transitions, emphasizing that contextual plant selection trumps rigid adherence to any single approach. His passion for stewartia as an underutilized landscape tree reveals both his deep plant knowledge and eye for design potential.

Perhaps most valuable for landscape professionals is Donnie's advice on securing plant material in an increasingly competitive market. His recommendation to communicate needs early—even during winter months—could save countless headaches during busy seasons. "It's all level of trust," he emphasizes, describing the collaborative relationship between nurseries, designers, and installers that leads to successful projects.

Whether you're planning a major landscape installation, curious about plant trends for 2025, or interested in the behind-the-scenes reality of plant production, this conversation offers essential insights from someone whose family business continues to shape Northeast landscapes. Subscribe now and join us next week when Greg from SiteOne brings his industry perspective to the show!

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Mara Robinson's journey from entomology student to accomplished landscape designer reveals how finding your true calling can transform not just your career, but your entire approach to life. In this fascinating conversation, Mara shares how a chance encounter with architectural models in college led her to discover landscape architecture – a perfect blend of art, science, horticulture, and human psychology that immediately captivated her imagination.

What truly sets Mara apart is her commitment to the full project lifecycle. Rather than simply creating designs and walking away, she remains deeply involved through implementation, ensuring her vision comes to life exactly as planned. This approach creates tremendous value for both clients and contractors, maintaining clear communication channels throughout often complex projects. "I've made this connection with these clients and I am going to take them through the process," she explains, highlighting the relationship-based foundation of her business.

Mara's design philosophy centers on creating "the dream" before addressing practical constraints – fully exploring possibilities before determining how to phase implementation or make budget-conscious adjustments. This approach prevents clients from making shortsighted decisions that might cost more later, such as failing to install infrastructure for future elements while a site is already under construction.

Technology has revolutionized Mara's work, with 3D modeling now allowing clients to visualize their future landscapes from multiple perspectives. "Now the client can actually see what I see," she explains, eliminating the uncertainty that once required tremendous trust. However, she remains convinced that successful landscape design ultimately comes down to understanding people – their needs, lifestyles, and how they'll interact with their environment. The most rewarding moments come when clients send photos of themselves enjoying their transformed spaces, proof that well-designed landscapes become the backdrop for life's most meaningful experiences.

Ready to transform your outdoor space? Connect with experienced landscape designers who understand that great design begins with listening to your dreams and needs. Your perfect landscape is waiting to be discovered.

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Brian Horn, editor-in-chief of Lawn and Landscape magazine, explores how the landscaping industry is evolving through private equity investment, technological advancements, and professional development opportunities.

• Labor remains the top challenge, with companies focused on creating clear career ladders for advancement
• Private equity investment continues to transform the industry with consistent mergers and acquisitions
• Technology adoption accelerating with battery-powered equipment potentially replacing gas within five years
• Autonomous mowers gaining traction, especially in residential applications through "robots as a service" models
• Industry consolidation creating larger companies, with the Top 100 threshold now around $38-39 million
• Companies fostering employee engagement through recognition programs and cultivating fun workplace cultures
• Upcoming industry events include the Business Builder Summit in Nashville and Technology Conference in Las Vegas
• Landscaping industry particularly collaborative, with professionals openly sharing ideas and best practices

For more information, contact Brian at bhorn@gie.net or visit lawnandlandscape.com.