2025 Presentation Listing

8:00 - 9:00 am
Plant ID 
Track: Intermediate  
Presenter: David Sandrock – PCC 
In this course, participants will learn about the key ID features for several important woody plants including the plants that make up the 2025 OLCA Expo Plant ID Challenge. Participants will practice identifying plants based on ID features and matching names to plants. This course is for anyone who wants to win the 2025 OLCA Expo Plant ID Challenge!  

8:00 - 9:00 am
Tema de pesticidas
Track: Intermediate Spanish 
Presenter: TBD

8:00 - 9:00 am
Estrategias de venta para riego/Selling Strategies for Irrigation 
Track: Advanced Spanish
Presenter: Artemio Morales - Pacific Landscape Management
Ofrezca soluciones personalizadas: Adapte sus ofertas a las necesidades específicas de cada cliente. Evalúe sus sistemas actuales y recomiende productos que mejoren la eficiencia y la eficacia.

Offer Customized Solutions: Tailor your offerings to meet the specific needs of each customer. Conduct assessments of their current systems and recommend products that will improve efficiency and effectiveness.

8:00 - 9:00 am
Required Licenses for Landscape Construction Work
Track: Advanced 
Presenter: Juanita Montes Romero – Oregon Landscape Contractors Board
Discover the licenses and steps required to perform landscape construction work in the state of Oregon! This course provides a comprehensive guide to obtaining a landscape contractors business license. You'll learn the essential steps, from understanding state requirements to preparing and submitting the necessary applications and documentation. We'll cover key topics such as meeting the required work experience, examinations needed and knowing the necessary continuing education to maintain your license. Additionally, the course offers valuable insights for best practices to ensure a smooth and successful licensing process. You'll finish with the knowledge and confidence to legally operate your landscaping business.

8:00 - 9:00 am
The Myths About Business Growth: All profits aren't equal 
Track: Owner 
Presenter: George Urvari - Oriole Landscaping 
Growth can be the top line, the bottom line, or general improvement that represents intangibles like work/life balance, stress-free workplaces, and low turnover. How you grow will determine the bumpiness of the ride, or even your survival. Learn the do's and don'ts of how to grow and which roles to add first as you expand your enterprise. Statistically, most businesses do not handle growth well and are unable to sell their businesses. This need not be the case. Smart growth is available to everyone. You just need to know the "how." Learn how to have your business work for you, and make yourself the least needed person in the office, so you can pursue your dreams. – Having started my own business in 1986, I've survived the lessons of growth and have learned what steps to take and when. My goal is to save you time, money and grief as you create a better future for you and your employees. Learning Objectives1-Six core business growth mistakes you need to avoid at all costs. 2-How to vertically integrate. 3-How to leverage others' talents to grow 4-How to engineer excellence into your people/process/culture. 5-What hats to shed & in what order.  

12:00 - 1:00 pm
How Herbicides Work 
Track: Intermediate 
Presenter: Chrissie Segars - PBI/Gordan Company 
This presentation covers the most common herbicide groups and how they work. Attendees will learn detailed information about mode of actions, mechanisms of actions, and symptomology of herbicide groups. Attendees will also learn the most up to date information about resistant weeds in the turfgrass industry. This presentation will not include any management recommendations outside of what the herbicide group is generally used for (i.e.grassy vs broadleaf weeds, pre vs post emergent control). 

12:00 - 1:00 pm
Mantenimiento de equipos eléctricos/Power Equipment Maintenance 
Track: Spanish Intermediate 
Presenter: Jose Sosa – Pace, Inc.
Este curso se centra en la operación, el mantenimiento y la prevención adecuados de los equipos para garantizar la seguridad y prolongar la vida útil de la maquinaria utilizada en el sector del paisajismo. Los participantes aprenderán prácticas esenciales para el mantenimiento de transmisiones, sistemas hidráulicos y componentes eléctricos y mecánicos. La capacitación hace hincapié en la detección temprana de signos de desgaste, la realización de inspecciones de rutina y la aplicación de procedimientos de mantenimiento correctos. Al finalizar el curso, los asistentes estarán mejor capacitados para operar los equipos de forma segura, minimizar el tiempo de inactividad y proteger su inversión en valiosas herramientas y maquinaria.

This course focuses on proper equipment operation, maintenance, and preventative care to ensure safety and extend the life of machinery used in the landscape industry. Participants will learn essential practices for maintaining drive trains, hydraulic systems, and electrical and mechanical components. The training emphasizes recognizing early signs of wear, performing routine inspections, and applying correct maintenance procedures. By the end of the course, attendees will be better equipped to operate equipment safely, minimize downtime, and protect their investment in valuable tools and machinery.

12:00 - 1:00 pm
Prevención de lesiones graves y fatales: ¿Qué son y por qué debería importarle?/Preventing Serious and Fatal Injuries: What Are They and Why Should You Care? 
Track: Spanish Advanced 
Presenter: Courntey Brose - SAIF Corp 

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.

The possibility of serious injury and death exists in many work environments, but simply managing routine safety programs doesn't necessarily highlight these risks. Come learn practical steps to identify potential hazards, prevention best practices, and resources to engage your employees to help prevent serious injuries or fatalities from occurring in your business. I'll be sharing bilingual strategies and resources that will support your organization's preventative efforts, but also help raise awareness when the unthinkable happens.

12:00 - 1:00 pm
Academic Committee Presentation to Local Horticultural Programs
Track: Industry 

12:00 - 1:00 pm
Selling Strategies for Irrigation 
Track: Advanced 
Presenter: Panel
This panel discussion explores practical selling strategies for irrigation services in today’s landscape market. Industry leaders will share how they approach different customer types — from commercial property managers to HOAs and residential clients — and how they position irrigation as a service, capital investment, or sustainability initiative. The conversation will highlight proven techniques such as storytelling, ROI calculations, and relationship-based selling, while also addressing common objections around price, trust, and timing. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and real-world insights to strengthen their own irrigation sales approach.

12:00 - 1:00 pm
Business Continuity 
Track: Owner 
Presenter: Zebadiah Wade 

2:00 - 3:00 pm
Power Equipment Maintenance 
Track: Intermediate 
Presenter: Jose Sosa - Pace Inc.
This course focuses on proper equipment operation, maintenance, and preventative care to ensure safety and extend the life of machinery used in the landscape industry. Participants will learn essential practices for maintaining drive trains, hydraulic systems, and electrical and mechanical components. The training emphasizes recognizing early signs of wear, performing routine inspections, and applying correct maintenance procedures. By the end of the course, attendees will be better equipped to operate equipment safely, minimize downtime, and protect their investment in valuable tools and machinery.

2:00 - 3:00 pm
Irrigation 
Track: Spanish Intermediate 
Presenter: TBD  

2:00 - 3:00 pm
Cualidades y habilidades de un supervisor/Qualities and Skills of a Supervisor
Track: Spanish Advanced
Presenter: Gabriel Barajas – Pacific Landscape Management 
Hay ciertas características, hábitos y cualidades que ayudan a que el desempeño de quienes fungen como supervisores sea considerado como excelente. Es importante destacar que un buen supervisor cuenta tanto con habilidades de liderazgo como de comunicación; ayudando a cada miembro de su equipo a desarrollarse y a lograr sus metas. Las empresas buscan por lo general, supervisores que sean proactivos, responsables, confiables y capaces.

There are certain characteristics, habits, and qualities that help the performance of those who serve as supervisors to be considered excellent. Importantly, a good supervisor has both leadership and communication skills; helping each member of their team develop and achieve their goals. Companies are generally looking for supervisors who are proactive, responsible, reliable, and capable.

2:00 - 3:00 pm
Artificial Turf and Environmental Impacts 
Track: Industry 
Presenter: Bronzen C Winters - Shaw Industries 
This course is meant to educate: Identifying what Synthetic turf is made of, understanding the environmental benefits of synthetic turf, how synthetic turf can fit into your business plan and community, equipping the contractor with answers to common questions or concerns surrounding synthetic turf, exploring strategies for sustainable installation practices to minimize environmental impacts.   

2:00 - 3:00 pm
Preventing Serious and Fatal Injuries: What Are They and Why Should You Care? 
Track: Advanced
Presenter: Courtney Brose - SAIF Corp 
The possibility of serious injury and death exists in many work environments, but simply managing routine safety programs doesn't necessarily highlight these risks. Come learn practical steps to identify potential hazards, prevention best practices, and resources to engage your employees to help prevent serious injuries or fatalities from occurring in your business. I'll be sharing bilingual strategies and resources that will support your organization's preventative efforts, but also help raise awareness when the unthinkable happens. 

2:00 - 3:00 pm
Supporting, Recruiting, and Hiring Community College and University Students 
Track: Owner 
Presenter:  April Chastain - Clackamas Community College, David Sandrock – Portland Community College, Alec Kowalewski – Oregon State University, and Corey Petersen (Panel Moderator)
Join us for a collaborative session featuring representatives from Oregon State University (OSU), Portland Community College (PCC), and Clackamas Community College (CCC). This discussion will highlight the programs these institutions offer and explore practical ways our industry can engage, support, and recruit from their student populations. Whether you’re looking to build internship programs, connect with future talent, or better understand educational pathways, this session will offer valuable insight and networking opportunities to strengthen workforce development. 

3:15 - 4:15 pm
Irrigation 
Track: Intermediate 
Presenter: TBD  

3:15 - 4:15 pm
Mejores prácticas para instalar adoquines/Best Practices for Installing Pavers
Track: Spanish Intermediate 
Presenter: Emanuel Hernandez – Western Interlock 
Este curso rápido repasará las mejores prácticas para instalar adoquines entrelazados de concreto, que incluirían: nuevos sistemas de construcción de base a considerar, herramientas que producen mejores resultados en menos tiempo o esfuerzo físico y los errores comunes que se deben evitar durante la instalación.

This quick course will go over the best practices for installing concrete interlocking pavers. which would include: new base construction systems to consider, tools that produce better results in less time or physical strain, and the common mistakes to avoid during installation.   

3:15 - 4:15 pm
Licencias Requeridas Para Trabajos De Construcción De Jardinería/Required Licenses for Landscape Construction Work
Track: Spanish Advanced 
Presenter: Juanita Montes Romero – Oregon Landscape Contractors Board
¡Descubra las licencias y los pasos necesarios para realizar trabajos de construcción de jardinería en el estado de Oregón! Este curso ofrece una guía completa para obtener una licencia comercial de contratista de construcción de jardinería. Aprenderá los pasos esenciales, desde comprender los requisitos estatales hasta preparar y presentar las solicitudes y la documentación necesarias. Cubriremos temas clave como la experiencia laboral requerida, los exámenes necesarios y la educación continua necesaria para mantener su licencia. Además, el curso ofrece información valiosa sobre las mejores prácticas para garantizar un proceso de licencia fluido y exitoso. Terminará con el conocimiento y la confianza necesarios para operar legalmente su negocio de construcción de jardinería.   

Discover the licenses and steps required to perform landscape construction work in the state of Oregon! This course provides a comprehensive guide to obtaining a landscape contractors business license. You'll learn the essential steps, from understanding state requirements to preparing and submitting the necessary applications and documentation. We'll cover key topics such as meeting the required work experience, examinations needed and knowing the necessary continuing education to maintain your license. Additionally, the course offers valuable insights for best practices to ensure a smooth and successful licensing process. You'll finish with the knowledge and confidence to legally operate your landscaping business. 

3:15 - 4:15 pm
Green Roof Advantages
Track: Industry 
Presenter: Dan Manning - GRiT
Dan will continue his discussion on green roofs by going through advantages that they bring to communities. Advantages that help with climate change, provide information for uses of green roofs, and suggestions for design of green roofs for specific purposes.

3:15 - 4:15 pm
Supervisors Guide for Corrective Action – What to Do, When to Do It, and How to Document It
Track: Advanced 
Presenter: Deborah M. Jeffries, SHRM-CP, PHR, CPC  - HR Answers, Inc.
Being a supervisor isn’t just about getting the job done — it’s also about addressing performance and behavior issues fairly and effectively. In this session, you’ll learn when corrective action is appropriate, how to have tough conversations that stay respectful, and the right way to document situations to protect both your team and your organization. We’ll explore practical steps for setting clear expectations, coaching for improvement, and knowing when stronger action is necessary. Designed for landscaping leaders who juggle busy crews and demanding schedules, this program will give you tools to handle challenges with confidence and consistency. Walk away with real-world strategies you can use the next time an issue arises on the jobsite or in the office.

3:15 - 4:15 pm
Profit Starts on Paper: Mastering Bidding & Estimating
Track: Owner 
Presenter: Scott Friedman -GT Landscape Solutions
This class equips landscape professionals with the skills to bid and estimate maintenance contracts and construction projects with accuracy and confidence. We’ll cover the fundamentals of defining scope, calculating labor and material costs, and using production rates to sharpen estimates. Participants will learn strategies to avoid common pitfalls, improve profitability, and present proposals that emphasize value over price.