Convention Highlights

CLCA’s Annual Convention at the Disneyland Hotel in November was one of the best-attended such events in recent years and received stellar reviews.

It began with a welcome reception and a surprise raffle of six “behind-the-scenes” tours of Disneyland, with emphasis on the placement and care of its lavish plant material.

There was something for everyone when it came to guest speakers. Elaine Lundberg helped convention-goers break the ice with a hilarious talk about using humor in the workplace. David Fogt, the chief of enforcement for the Contractors State License Board, updated his audience on what state government is doing to combat the underground economy. The Disney Company’s Tim East spiced up his advice about preventing workplace injuries with fascinating trivia about the Magic Kingdom. And Ewing Irrigation’s John Binkele provided solid marketing tips that only a person with years of experience in the landscape industry could accomplish. At the Breakfast Think Tank, members discussed how they could use tips from these speakers. Among them were Steve Jacobs of Nature Designs Landscape, Vista, and Olga See of O See-Em-Bloom, Bakersfield.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse joined young and old convention-goers for a “heavy” hors d’oeuvres dinner prior to the Trophy Awards presentation. The presentation seemed to be more glamorous than usual, perhaps because it took place near Tinsel Town. EvLand LLC of Redwood City took the coveted Sweepstakes Award. Jim Everett, its owner, accepted the award from Amanda Emeterio, daughter of Rene and Wendy Emeterio of Specialized Landscape Maintenance Services Inc., Simi Valley.

Robert Wade, CLP, CLIA of Wade Landscape, Newport Beach, was elected CLCA president for 2011 at the General Membership Meeting. 2010 President Bill Schnetz, CLP, of Schnetz Landscape Inc., Escondido, was among the first to congratulate him.