Landscape Ontario weekly E-news for December 16, 2020

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December 16, 2020

 

		Congress Connect launches January 12 The Congress Connect Event Team team can't wait for you to experience the new Congress Connect Virtual Marketplace, launching January 12th.  Registration for the marketplace is free. Sign up by the end of day on December 18th for a chance to win one of five early bird prizes valued at $500 and up! Congress Connect is not a trade show. It is an 365-day online marketplace featuring leading green suppliers and companies. Take a look at the Preview Guide to see what Congress Connect has to offer. We are also extremely excited for the new Connect Virtual Conference, featuring 32 sessions curated for landscape and horticulture professionals. Enjoy the sessions live Jan. 12-14, or any time on-demand for the full year. Early bird pricing ends December 18th, so don't wait to sign up! What are you waiting for? Sign up for for Congress Connect now!

 

December LO magazine now online In this issue: Learn about the many reasons why you should attend Congress Connect, plus see the full line up of Conference sessions. Plus: LO's Annual Report goes digital, read the latest news for the profession, monthly columns and more. Read the December issue of LO magazine. Message from LO's Covid-19 Task Force As we head into the holiday season, it's really important that we continue to follow public health guidelines to keep our staff and communities safe. Don't let your guard down. We also recognize the holidays and winter months can be a real strain on mental health, especially during a pandemic. That's why it is so important to take time to connect with our employees, to recognize their efforts this year and set them up for a success in 2021. While traditional holiday parties won't be possible in many regions, we encourage you to consider hosting virtual social events. Get creative! Also, as you look ahead to January and February, consider signing staff up for online professional development courses through LO to keep them engaged and feeling positive. We hope you have a great holiday season. Stay safe! Landscape Designer Conference, Jan. 11 The 2021 Landscape Designer Conference will be loaded with great ideas from leading professionals, including Ron Koudys, Danee Marie Lambourne, and Mark and Ben Cullen. There will also be a pair of panel discussions featuring: Elizabeth Hendriks, Rob Keen, Stefan Weber, Dan Werner, Karen May, Beth Edney, Paul Brydges, Sean James and Haig Seferian. Register by Dec. 18 to get early bird pricing! Feds pledge $3 billion to plant 2 billion trees Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O'Regan announced the federal government is budgeting $3.16 billion to plant two billion trees over the next 10 years. "Planting trees is a natural climate solution that reduces emissions while providing other benefits such as improved air and water quality, particularly in urban settings; decreased risk of wildland fire to rural communities and support for biodiversity," O'Regan said. Learn more. Sign up for LO's Pro-Development seminars Landscape Ontario Professional Development seminars are scheduled for 2021 and details are now online. Also, keep an eye out for the print edition of the Pro-Dev Guide, which you should receive by mail this month. Register before Dec. 31 to get an automatic 10 per cent discount. View course listings at HortTrades.com. Earn CEC's at the IPM Symposium, Jan. 11 Landscape Ontario's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Symposium has been a uniquely respected event since 1965. Attendees will earn 6 CECs from the IPM Council of Canada. Register by Dec. 18 to get early bird pricing! Apply for the expanded CEBA Loan Beginning Dec. 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 – on top of the initial $40,000 that was& available to small businesses. Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by Dec. 31, 2022. Learn more. Province invests $20 million in apprenticeship The Ontario government announced $20 million in funding to support apprenticeship in the skilled trades. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, made the announcement at Landscape Ontario member TLC Landscaping Design and Pools in London, Ont. on Dec. 4, 2020. Full details at HortTrades.com. Online entry now open for Ottawa Chapter contractor awards Back for 2020, the Ottawa Chapter Awards of Distinction is now accepting entries online for the contractor awards program. Categories include best hardscape, softscape, lighting, design, woodworking, and more! Details on the Ottawa Chapter page. LO is hiring Technical Training Instructors Landscape Ontario is hiring part time and full time Technical Training Instructors to support the delivery of a new entrant landscape horticultural training and employment program that launched in September 2020 and will continue during the winter of 2021 across three regions (Hamilton, Muskoka/Kawartha regions). Learn more at HortTrades.com. Show your support for FLP expansion to Ottawa The City of Ottawa is interested in supporting the Fusion Landscape Professional program and making it available to contractors in the Ottawa area, in order to meet their stormwater management targets. If you are an Ottawa area-based company interested in the program, please complete this short survey. Order safety materials for trucks and equipment Order up to 10 "Don't let your guard down" decals at no cost. Simply email Meghan Greaves or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2301. Bundles of 100 decals can be ordered at cost for $32.25 per 100. The decals measure eight by 2-1/2 inches. The LO Covid-19 Task Force encourages members to place as many as possible on equipment and trucks. Posters promoting safety and featuring basic action points have also been developed, and are posted for free download. Versions in English, Spanish and French are available, as well as artwork to paste into email signatures.

LO SEMINARS

 

Professional Development Seminars Enhance your skills and knowledge this winter with Landscape Ontario's Professional Development seminars. Courses will be held in class and online. Register before the end of 2020 for early bird pricing!

In-Person Seminars: Irrigation Boot Camp, Jan. 20-21 Cobblestone Installation Jan. 26-28 How to use Dynascape Jan. 27-28 Team Leader Training Jan. 28 Landscape Design: An Introduction Jan. 29 Business Planning Boot Camp Jan. 29 Online Seminars (10-11 a.m.): Plant Names and why they are important, Jan. 19 Great Qualify = More Clients​, Jan. 20 Science of Phenology, Jan. 21 Lighting 101: Light and photometrics, Jan. 27 If Trees Could Talk, Jan. 28 Visit the Seminars page at HortTrades.com

 

UPCOMING LO EVENTS

 

Toronto Chapter Winter Social, Dec. 10 IPM Symposium, Jan. 11, 2021 Landscape Designer Conference, Jan. 11, 2021 Congress Connect, Jan. 12-14, 2021 Congress Connect Conference, Jan. 12-14, 2021 LO Peer to Peer Session, Jan. 26, 2021 LO Awards of Excellence Ceremony, Feb. 4, 2021 LO AGM and All-Chapter Virtual Meeting, Feb. 10, 2021 Nursery Growers Short Course, Feb. 17, 2021 Visit the Events page at HortTrades.com

 

QUICK LINKS for LO ACTIVITIES

 

Not a member? Sign up here Pay your member dues online Free magazines and LO e-news for employees and students LO member cost savings programs New pending members Details on advertising in LO enews Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada 1-800-265-5656 rob@landscapeontario.com HortTrades.com With more than 2,500 professional members, Landscape Ontario is the province's premier horticultural trades association. Our mission is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario. Follow us on

   

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