2024 Presentation Listing

8:00 - 9:00 am Pruning 101
Track: Intermediate English
Presenter: Bartlett Tree Experts
Discover the essentials of proper pruning techniques to enhance the health and appearance of your landscapes. This session will cover the "when, why, and how" of pruning, including tips for shaping trees and shrubs, promoting growth, and preventing disease. Ideal for landscape contractors looking to improve their skills and deliver exceptional results to clients. 

8:00 - 9:00 am Leading the Way: Building a Thriving Safety Culture/Liderando el camino: Construyendo una cultura de seguirdad próspera
Track: Intermediate Spanish
Presenter: Elena Reyes-Santos – Saif Corporation
This session will concentrate on fostering a high-performing safety culture and emphasize the significance of developing new leaders. We will discuss how Latinos perceive risks and introduce a model that enables both employees and leaders to pinpoint areas for improvement, working together to cultivate a safer workplace. 

Esta sesión ayudará a explicar que es una cultura de seguridad de alto rendimiento y aprenderemos sobre la importancia de crear nuevos lideres. Hablaremos de como los Latinos evaluamos el peligro y compartiré un modelo de operación para ayudar tanto a los empleados como a los lideres a identificar áreas de oportunidad para que juntos puedan crear un lugar de trabajo más seguro. 

8:00 - 9:00 am Leadership Ladder
Track: Advance Spanish
Presenter: Gabriel Barajas, Pacific Landscape Management
This presentation will help strengthen participation in the concept of leadership. conflict resolution and emotional intelligence, and how to influence other people. 

Esta presentación ayudará a fortalecer la participación en el concepto de liderazgo. resolución de conflictos e inteligencia emocional, y cómo influir en otras personas. 

8:00 - 9:00 am Dirt Simple: Regenerative Landscape Design
Track: Design
Presenter: Amy Whitworth - Plan-it Earth Design
We need to move beyond sustainability toward regeneration in the landscapes we create. Help your plants help themselves by surrounding them with a community that shares resources and energizes soil microorganisms. Work with nature to create low maintenance gardens that support birds and pollinators with simple techniques for hydrozoning, enhancing soil health, and getting off chemical dependencies (both fertilizers and pesticides).

8:00 - 9:00 am Your Contracts – What You Do Not Know Can Hurt You
Track: Advanced English
Presenter: David Bower, Attorney – Jordan Ramis PC
The OLCB requires you to have written contracts with your customers. Take this opportunity to have a construction lawyer with over 20 years of experience walk you through the most important parts of your contract. Topics will include properly defining scope and payment to avoid disputes and manage expectations. You will learn about important contract terms, such as insurance, indemnity, and warranties, and how you can use these clauses to protect yourself and limit liability. You will learn why that “boiler plate” is not just for show. The goal will be to impart practical knowledge and advice that you can use to strengthen your legal relationships with your customers. 

8:00 - 9:00 am Unlock the Secrets to Employee Attraction & Retention for Landscape Contractors!
Track: Owner
Presenter: Laurie Grenya – HR Answers, Inc.
Join us for an insightful session tailored specifically for landscape contractor employers, where we dive into innovative strategies to attract and retain top talent. Discover how to leverage total compensation packages that go beyond competitive salaries to include comprehensive benefits, bonuses, and career development opportunities. Learn the importance of regularly reviewing the market to ensure your roles remain competitive and appealing. Additionally, explore how to cultivate a company culture that fosters loyalty and engagement, creating an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your workforce and elevate your business to new heights.

8:00 - 8:30 am Paver Install Safety Demonstration
Track: Demonstration
Presenter: Bartell 

10:00 – 11:00 am Artificial Turf
Track: Intermediate English
Presenter: Danielle Stafford - MSI
During this course we will go over how to install artificial turf. The dos and don’ts. Upcoming new install methods and Q&A time. 

10:00 – 11:00 am Pruning 101
Track: Intermediate Spanish
Presenter: Bartlett Tree Experts
Descubre lo esencial de las técnicas adecuadas de poda para mejorar la salud y apariencia de tus paisajes. Esta sesión cubrirá el "cuándo, por qué y cómo" de la poda, incluyendo consejos para dar forma a árboles y arbustos, fomentar el crecimiento y prevenir enfermedades. Ideal para contratistas de paisajismo que buscan mejorar sus habilidades y ofrecer resultados excepcionales a sus clientes.

10:00 – 11:00 am Preventing Serious Injuries and Fatalities: What are they and why should you care! /Prevención de lesiones graves y fatales: ¿Qué son y por qué debería importante?

Track: Advance Spanish
Presenter: Elena Reyes-Santos - SAIF Corporation
The potential for a serious injury and fatality exists in many work environments, but simply managing routine safety programs does not necessarily address these risks. Come learn practical steps for identifying potential risks, best practices for prevention, and resources for engaging your employees to help prevent a serious injury or fatality from occurring at your business. You will leave with bilingual resources that will support your organization’s preventative efforts but also help raise awareness when the unthinkable happens. 

La posibilidad de sufrir lesiones graves y la muerte existe en muchos entornos de trabajo, pero la simple gestión de los programas de seguridad rutinarios no necesariamente resalta estos riesgos. Ven a aprender pasos prácticos para identificar riesgos potenciales, mejores prácticas de prevención y recursos para involucrar a tus empleados para ayudar a prevenir que ocurran lesiones graves o fatalidades en tu negocio. Estaré compartiendo estrategias y recursos bilingües que apoyarán los esfuerzos preventivos de tu organización, pero también ayudarán a crear conciencia cuando sucede lo impensable. 

10:00 – 11:00 am Central Control: Definitions and Considerations When Choosing a Platform 
Track: Industry
Presenter: Tom Glazener, CGIA, CIC, CID, CLIA, CLWM - Pacific Sports Turf, Inc.
Central control once meant a lone computer controlling a network of satellites, often via hardwire.  The internet, WIFI, IOT and inexpensive cell infrastructure have changed what is possible.  At the same time, manufacturers have expanded their platforms’ features.  This presentation will look briefly at central control history, take a look at current feature trends, and discuss considerations when choosing which  platforms to install and maintain. This presentation is sponsored by the Oregon Sports Field Management Association.

10:00 – 11:00 am How to Build Your Employee “bench/leaders” through Mentorship
Track: Advanced English
Presenter: Deborah Jeffries, SHRM-CP, PHR, CPC - HR Answers
Discover how to develop a strong team of leaders through mentorship at the Landscape Contractors Conference. Learn practical strategies to foster a culture where leaders—defined as the first to step up, innovate, and inspire—thrive. This session will guide you in identifying potential leaders, pairing them with experienced mentors, and creating a dynamic environment for continuous growth. Enhance your leadership pipeline and ensure your business's future success. Join us to transform your team into a powerful "bench" of leaders ready to lead the way! 

10:00 – 11:00 am Building an Effective Safety Committee
Track: Owner
Presenter: Deb Bridges, ASP, CIT - Safety Northwest, LLC.
Safety committees – what are the requirements? What exactly do they do and what can be done to make them more effective? Join Deb Bridges, ASP, CIT, from Safety Northwest for a session covering the role of safety committees in organizations. We will cover what is required, along with techniques to engage safety committee members to promote a positive strong safety culture.

10:00 – 10:30 am - The Future of Irrigation Control from Rain Bird
Track: Demonstration
Presenter: Rainbird 
Get a chance to peak behind the curtain and see what Rain Bird’s irrigation controller roadmap has in store for the industry.

12:00 -1:00 pm Do you want fries with that? Utilizing technology in irrigation products to sell more and provide a better system to your customers.
Track: Intermediate English
Presenter: Corey Christopherson - Rain Bird Corporation
In today's competitive market, irrigation professionals need to stay ahead by offering more than just basic products — they need to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions. This training, "Do You Want Fries with That?" will explore how to integrate cutting-edge technology into irrigation systems to enhance product offerings, boost sales, and improve customer satisfaction. Participants will learn how to leverage technological advancements such as smart controllers, flow sensors, automated systems, and cloud-based monitoring tools to create irrigation solutions that are not only more effective but also more attractive to modern customers. Ideal for: Sales professionals, irrigation specialists, and anyone in the irrigation industry looking to increase their sales by offering smarter, technology-driven systems. 

12:00 -1:00 pm Battery Operated Equipment 101
Track: Intermediate Spanish 

12:00 -1:00 pm How to Build Your Company's Safety Committee/Cómo construir el comité de seguridad de su empresa
Track: Advance Spanish
Presenter: Safety NW

12:00 -1:00 pm Designing for Habitat: Tips for Plant Selection, Placement, and Maintenance 
Track: Industry
Presenter: Lydia Cox - Radish Gardens
Clients across our region have a growing interest in creating backyard habitat and supporting birds and wildlife. Plant selection and placement are key to making this goal a reality. We will discuss the importance of using native species, how to integrate native and non-native selections, tips for placement and layering that improves habitat function, and the lighter-touch maintenance needs of habitat landscapes. The result? Landscapes that are both beautiful and functional. 

12:00 -1:00 pm Jobsite Efficiency
Track: Advanced English
Presenter: Fred Haskett CA, CTP, LICM 

12:00 -1:00 pm Human Resources 101 - The Right Red Flags
Track: Owner
Presenter: Laurie Grenya, SPHR - HR Answers, Inc
Join us for "Human Resources 101 - The Right Red Flags," a must-attend session for managers and team leaders. Learn how to identify key warning signs in hiring, employee behavior, and team dynamics. This session will give you practical tips to spot and address potential issues early, creating a healthier and more productive workplace. Ideal for anyone involved in managing people, this session will help you safeguard your team by recognizing and addressing the right red flags. Don't miss this chance to boost your management skills!

12:00 -12:30 pm Lighting Demonstration
Track: Demonstration
Presenter: Hunter/FX Luxor
This low voltage lighting demonstration will be on the installation and capabilities of the FX Luxor transformer with zoning, dimming and color changing

2:00 – 3:00 pm Wireless Valve Installation and Troubleshooting
Track: Intermediate English
Presenter: Hunter/FX Luxor
This session provides a comprehensive overview of Wireless Valve Control (WVL), starting with an introduction to wireless valve control and its key benefits. It then covers how WVL works, including the use of a 900Mhz LoRa radio, its advantages, and potential drawbacks. The discussion continues with the WVL Output Module, explaining which controllers it is compatible with, the setup requirements, and the components included. The session will also cover the Wireless Valve Link, detailing the need for a DC solenoid, valve compatibility, range, and installation techniques. Next, the Solar Repeater will be discussed, including when it is necessary, installation steps, and how to replace the battery. The WVL App will be covered for both iPhone and Android users, providing installation instructions and setup guidance. Troubleshooting techniques, such as using Hydrawise for alerts and the app for checking signal strength, will also be reviewed. The session concludes with a Q&A segment, allowing for further discussion and problem-solving.

2:00 – 3:00 pm Irrigation 101
Track: Intermediate Spanish
Presenter: Artemio Morales, Pacific
Attendees will learn about the components of irrigation systems, basic troubleshooting, and techniques for efficient water use to promote healthy landscapes. Ideal for those just starting in the industry, this class provides practical knowledge to confidently handle irrigation tasks and contribute to sustainable landscape practices. 

2:00 – 3:00 pm Business Law Basics
Track: Advance Spanish 

2:00 – 3:00 pm - Slow-release Fertilizers for Turfgrass: Product Options and Calibration Tips
Track: Industry
Presenter: Charles J. Schmid, Ph.D. - Oregon State University
This presentation will explore the key aspects of slow-release fertilizers in turfgrass management. It will explain the mechanisms behind how slow-release fertilizers work, focusing on how they gradually release nutrients to minimize nutrient loss and provide consistent feeding over time. The session will also cover the different types of slow-release fertilizer products available, helping you select the best options for your turf. Additionally, we will guide you on how to interpret fertilizer labels to make informed decisions about nutrient application. Finally, practical tips will be shared on how to properly calibrate rotary and drop spreaders to ensure even and accurate fertilizer distribution for optimal turf health.
This presentation is sponsored by the Oregon Sports Field Management Association.

2:00 – 3:00 pm Naturescaping Demystified: Mimicking Nature in Urban Landscapes
Track: Advanced English
Presenters: Adriana Lovel & Briita Pajunas, MEM – Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District
Water-wise landscaping continues to be in high demand as irrigation costs rise. There’s more interest and need than ever before to incorporate native plants, soil health solutions and rainwater capture and reuse into our landscape planning. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District (Tualatin SWCD) helps residents, HOAs, and companies in Washington County make sustainable landscaping changes through free consultation and financial incentive programs. This presentation will enable you to respond to changing client interests and future climate needs. Tualatin SWCD will provide tangible steps, connections to local resources, and lessons learned from implementing these practices broadly in the last few years. Walk away from the presentation with new techniques to save water and increase plant survival on urban landscapes and help create more livable places.   

2:00 – 3:00 pm Train the Trainer
Track: Owner
Presenter: Fred Haskett 

2:00 – 2:30 pm Battery Operated Tools Demonstration
Track: Demonstration
Presenter: Milwaukee Tool 

3:15 – 4:15 pm Understanding Common Landscape Treatments: Applications, Best Practices, and Innovations
Track: Intermediate English
Presenter: Justin Horlacher - Marion Ag Service
Discover the essential landscape treatments utilized in both commercial and residential settings, emphasizing their practical applications and optimal use scenarios. Explore new innovations in the market and gain insights into when and how to apply these treatments effectively. This session aims to broaden understanding and introduce attendees to both familiar and lesser-known landscape treatment options. 

3:15 – 4:15 pm Pesticide 101
Track: Intermediate Spanish
Presenter: Frank Santiago - BASF
This presentation is sponsored by Simplot.

3:15 – 4:15 pm Turf Installation
Track: Advance Spanish
Presenter: Teresa Portillo - MSI
During this course we will go over how to install artificial turf. The dos and don’ts. Upcoming new install methods and Q&A time. 

3:15 – 4:15 pm Green Roofs101
Track: Industry
Presenter: Dan Manning - GRiT
This presentation will explore the concept of green roofs, detailing their design parameters and showcasing various types, including intensive and extensive green roofs. It will cover fundamental construction methods as well as essential maintenance techniques, providing a comprehensive overview of green roof systems.
This presentation is sponsored by the Green Roof info Think-tank (GRiT).

3:15 – 4:15 pm Engaging the Spanish-Speaking Workforce
Track: Advanced English
Presenter: Cesar Chavez Alvarado-Safety Northwest 
This presentation will cover simple ways to get Spanish-speaking employees involved in safety committees. We’ll talk about making safety materials and training available in Spanish, having bilingual team members to help with communication, and creating a welcoming environment for all workers. Ideas include using clear pictures and simple language, offering feedback options in Spanish, and recognizing Spanish-speaking employees for their safety efforts. By making safety information easy to understand and involving everyone, we can create a safer workplace for all. 

3:15 – 4:15 pm Ownership Strategies  
Track: Owner
Presenter: Zebadiah Wade, CEPA - LaPorte Insurance
A brief discussion around strategies that owners may not be aware of. We will walk through the importance of a Buy/Sell Agreement, Succession/Transition Planning, Key Person Retention Ideas, and an Introduction to a Micro-Captive Insurance Company. 

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