It is also time to make arrangements to get you and the key members of your team out to the industry trade shows. Every year in October and November virtually every association and a few publishers pull together the local suppliers and national manufacturers to offer you the chance to see the new products, learn the new research, visit old friends, spy your competition, make new friends and secure your vendor relationships.

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The main thing is . . . You should take the time to spend a day or two at one or more of these trade shows because you are in business to make your facility the best it can be and what you see and learn at these shows will help you do just that.

LSMP will be attending/exhibiting at seven (7) major shows this fall. The two main landscape shows across the country are the GIE/Expo, held October 25-27 in Louisville, Ky. and the Western Turfgrass and Landscape Expo held November 7-8 in Pomona California.

You can visit landscapearchitect.com to learn more about both these events . . . Whatever you do, don?EUR??,,????'?????<

And remember, with the weather wreaking havoc on landscapes across the country, your experience and knowledge is more important to your facility than ever. Heavy rain means renovation, flood control and erosion control. Too little rain means Xeriscape plantings, artificial turf, and smart irrigation. Too much wind and you are trimming trees, replanting trees, staking trees and chipping fallen branches.

These are all reasons for your employer or facility to pick up the tab to send You to these trade shows. After all, one of the first things anyone sees at your place is the landscape and we all know what weight a first impression carries.

Additionally, with liability issues and lawsuits flying around like so many butterflies, you need to be on the top of your game. Fines for runoff, a tree limb falling on a car, one sick kid from pesticide poisoning or the replanting of the soccer field, all cost way more than an airline ticket and a couple nights in a hotel.

So it really is reasonable to ask your facility to spend a few bucks to help protect one of their largest assets, even if that just means giving you a paid day off to drive to the local show . . . A paid day off . . .

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In any event . . . Hope your summer was great and if you do make to a trade show this fall look for LSMP . . . Chances are, we?EUR??,,????'?????<

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