The 2023 Conference Program

We had 20 sessions and 2 FREE keynotes of fantastic IGC business content. There was something for every attendee! We started the day with incredible keynote presentations and continued with a full schedule of breakout sessions, that included interactive show floor participation, and allowed for plenty of time for IGCs to discover something new and take away valuable information to bring back to their businesses.

At-a-Glance Schedule

Session Descriptions

Speakers

The Garden Center Show education track is a paid event. Replays are available to registered attendees only for six months following the show. If you were a 2023 GCS Conference attendee, you received an email with private links to the replays. Can't find it? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

2023 At-A-Glance Schedule

Tuesday, August 8
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Nicole Leinbach | RetailMinded.com | Rm 203-C

KEYNOTE:
What Will the Garden Center of Tomorrow Look Like
Join Nicole after this session in the L&GR Networking Lounge for "Ask the Keynote Anything"
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Lyn Falk | Retailworks, Inc. | Rm 203-D

Selling Through the Senses
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Moderated by Sue Markgraf | GreenMark Media. Panelists: Jennifer Brennan | Chalet Home & Garden; Michael Fiore | Smith's Gardentown; Amanda Thomsen | Aster Gardens; and Heidi Hornung | Shady Lane Greenhouse. | Rm 203-C

Panel Discussion:
How to Help Your Customers Become More Successful Gardeners Inside and Outside
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Joe Baer | ZenGenius, Inc. | Education Stage

Experiential Merchandising: Take on this Visual Merchandising Challenge
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Andrea Hill | Hill Management Group | Rm 203-D

How to be a Better Manager
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Sue Markgraf | GreenMark Media | Rm 203-C

10 of the Best Garden Center Event Ideas and How to Plan Them
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Lyn Falk | Retailworks, Inc. | Rm 203-B

Lighting, Color, Signage- Critical Elements to Creating an Effective Shopping Experience. Are You Doing Them Right?
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Jackson Madnick | Pearl's Premium | Education Stage

Exhibitor Showcase: Future Grass Technology

Wednesday, August 9
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Tom Shay | Profits Plus Solutions | Rm 203-C

KEYNOTE:
Stop Trying to be the Garden Center You Were 4 Years Ago
Join Tom after this session in the L&GR Networking Lounge for "Ask the Keynote Anything"
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Bridget K. Behe | Michigan State University | Rm 203-D

The Art & Science of Pricing Products
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Anne Obarski | Merchandise Concepts | Rm 203-B

"Undercover Boss": Clues to Create a Team of Superheroes!
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Michael Fiore | Smith's Gardentown | Education Stage

TikTok Competition
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Chris Cimaglio | BEST Human Capital & Advisory Group and PivotPoint Business Solutions | Rm 203-B

Succession and Exit Planning in Action: Your Exit Strategy
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Bridget K. Behe | Michigan State University | Rm 203-D

Keeping New Clients Acquired During the Pandemic
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Anne Obarski | Merchandise Concepts | Rm 203-C

9 Critical Points of Contact that Impact Customer Loyalty
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.

Mel Toellner | Songbird Essentials | Education Stage

Keys to Successful Birding: Spring & Summer
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Chris Cimaglio | BEST Human Capital & Advisory Group and PivotPoint Business Solutions | Rm 203-D

Value Acceleration: Command Top Dollar for Your Business
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Kenneth Lane | Hathaway & Lane | Education Stage

Get Better at Understanding and Acting on Your Financial Reports
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Mel Toellner | Songbird Essentials | Rm 203-B

Keys to Successful Birding: Fall & Winter

Session Descriptions

Keynote: What Will the Garden Center of Tomorrow be Like

Tuesday, August 8

When it comes to maintaining healthy retail footprints and aiming to increase revenue, looking ahead is always important. But what does the future of retail really look like in our increasingly competitive and always-evolving commerce landscape? Expect to gain real-time insight with forward-thinking perspectives on how to boost store engagement, sales and operations from Leinbach. This is a not-to-miss session to be experienced at The Garden Show!

The 2023 Conference Program

2023 At-A-Glance Schedule

Tuesday, August 8

Wednesday, August 9

Session Descriptions

Keynote: What Will the Garden Center of Tomorrow be Like

Selling Through the Senses

Help Your Customers Become More Successful: Panel Discussion

TikTok Competition

Experiential Merchandising: Take on this Visual Merchandising Challenge

How to be a Better Manager

10 of the Best Garden Center Event Ideas and How to Plan Them

Lighting, Color, Signage, Are You Doing Them Right?

Future Grass Technology

Succession and Exit Planning in Action: Your Exit Strategy

The Art & Science of Pricing Products

"Undercover Boss": Clues to Create a Team of Superheroes!

Keeping New Clients Acquired During the Pandemic

9 Critical Points of Contact that Impact Customer Loyalty

Keys to Successful Birding: Spring & Summer

Value Acceleration: Command Top Dollar for Your Business

Keys to Successful Birding: Fall & Winter

Keynote: Stop Trying to be the Garden Center You Were 4 Years Ago

Get Better at Understanding and Acting on Your Financial Reports

Speakers

Amanda Thomsen

Andrea Hill

Anne Obarski

Bridget K. Behe

Chris Cimaglio

Heidi Hornung

Jackson Madnick

Jennifer Brennan

Joe Baer

Kenneth Lane

Lyn Falk

Mel Toellner

Michael Fiore

Nicole Leinbach

Sue Markgraf

Tom Shay