Tough Questions Will be Answered at GIE+EXPO; GIE+EXPO Workshops Schedule Announced for 2009

Louisville, KY, July 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Tough questions are being asked within the industry, and the answers will be found during the GIE+EXPO Workshops at the 2009 GIE+EXPO. The tradeshow will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Thursday – Saturday, October 29-31. It is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc. (OPEI); Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS).

The GIE+EXPO Workshops provide a special introduction to PLANET’s four-day Green Industry Conference (GIC) education program. These preview sessions are offered at $50 each and are open to all GIE+EXPO attendees. Pre-registration for the sessions is required. Register for the GIE+EXPO Workshops at www.gie-expo.com or call the Show Management office to request a registration brochure – 800-558-8767.

GIE+EXPO Workshops Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 29, Session A, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Selling the Experience
Jim Paluch, JP Horizons, Inc., Concord, Ohio

Jim Paluch’s career as a trainer started 20 years ago as a result of his tremendous success as a landscape sales person. It is clear that the simple basics of sales can sometimes be the most profound concepts to learn and apply. Understanding that people only buy on price if you allow them to, opens up the discovery of the importance of developing relationships, creating awesome experiences and building a client base that looks forward to spending more money with you. Jim has helped hundreds of individuals double and triple their sales goals through his fun and effective approach to selling.

Friday, Oct. 30, Session B, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Egg-Sucking Dogs
Charles Vander Kooi, Vander Kooi and Associates, Littleton, Colorado

What do you do when your best employee goes bad? When he or she no longer is your right hand and begins siphoning off energy instead of adding energy? In this dynamic and motivating seminar, industry expert Charles Vander Kooi draws on more than four decades in the construction industry to talk about how to handle this issue. He also addresses the four personalities that are needed to make a company thrive in any economy and a bonus system that will reward your employees fairly.

Saturday, Oct. 31, Session C, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Developing a High-Performance Team
Bill Arman, The Harvest Group, LLC, Bowie, Maryland

Now more than ever, you must consistently deliver your services to a more demanding client base. This requires that you have in place a group of people that effectively work together while delivering to the customers’ and the organization’s needs. Developing and sustaining a high-performance team remains a top priority for today’s leaders. This workshop will cover the key drivers for successfully assembling, developing and sustaining a high-performance team that delivers. In this workshop, Bill will review the top “Best People Practices” that will bring you the best, most consistent results, and focusing on:

Your culture
Alignment
Achieving potential
Skill building
Leading change
Consistent performance
Conflict resolution
Team building
Rewards and recognition
Leadership development

For information about PLANET’s full GIC educational series, visit GIC's home page. In addition to powerful education, GIC offers extensive peer networking, new green industry-related publications and valuable professional resources.

PGMS also offers education and peer networking during GIE+EXPO through their School of Grounds Management. Grounds managers can expand their career horizons and move toward certification. For school details go to www.PGMS.org.

Pre-registration for a three-day pass to GIE+EXPO is $10 per person. The tradeshow admission for those who wait to register onsite will be $50. To pre-register online for the workshops and the tradeshow and to reserve hotel rooms, go to GIE+EXPO's home page

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