Trade Shows

[GreenMonster]

Anybody have input on MAHTS and Hardscape North America?

I talked last year about doing one or the other this year, and I'm just getting a little time to start looking into it.

Who's been in the past? Who's going this year? Which show is offering better courses? Courses other than ICPI level I and NCMA SRW level I that is.

[Mbella]

Good thread Mark. I'm just now starting to look at both. I am looking forward to the replies.

[mckeeland]

i am going to MAHTS this year, i have been the past several years. i am undecided on if i am going to attend any courses yet.

[tthomass]

I don't understand the point really. I guess I do but my thought is I travel the distance for someone to show me a new skid steer (nice, but I'm not buying), a block splitter (oh, wow), a new diamond blade design (I use the cheap ones, work great), classes (do it this way, oh and buy OUR product), check out our new pavers (nice you changed the color)..............so, am I missing anything??? I need a product, I've got multiple suppliers close by to supply me and phone #'s I can call to order material directly.

I plan on going to the MANTS show (plants) to meet growers of different material and where to pull from for volume material. Plants are different, anybody can grow them I just have to find the reputable folks. Pavers and stone.......not so many doing that. You've got your big boys EP, Techo etc and thats basically what everybody sells.

Insight?

[mckeeland]

tthomass

you can go to window shop yes, some suppliers like pave-tech run show specials u will not get during the year. u get to see products that u have not seen yet. you get to have diamond blade sales man offer you everything under the sun to buy from them, they are worst than used car salesman.

the seminars are industry based not manufacture based, yes they may be sponsored my one manufacture or the other, but the technique are universal. i have attended many of the seminars and taking something away from all of them. anytime you are in a room with that many years of industry experience even the most seasoned veteran will learn something new. form me it gets the juices flowing for the anticipation of the spring season ahead.

[NCSULandscaper]

I plan on going to the MANTS show (plants) to meet growers of different material and where to pull from for volume material. Plants are different, anybody can grow them I just have to find the reputable folks. Pavers and stone.......not so many doing that. You've got your big boys EP, Techo etc and thats basically what everybody sells.

Insight?


ill be at the MANTS show as well, since we are a new nursery grower im spending more time at nursery shows instead of hardscape and landscape shows

[Mike 33]

I don't understand the point really. I guess I do but my thought is I travel the distance for someone to show me a new skid steer (nice, but I'm not buying), a block splitter (oh, wow), a new diamond blade design (I use the cheap ones, work great), classes (do it this way, oh and buy OUR product), check out our new pavers (nice you changed the color)..............so, am I missing anything??? I need a product, I've got multiple suppliers close by to supply me and phone #'s I can call to order material directly.

I plan on going to the MANTS show (plants) to meet growers of different material and where to pull from for volume material. Plants are different, anybody can grow them I just have to find the reputable folks. Pavers and stone.......not so many doing that. You've got your big boys EP, Techo etc and thats basically what everybody sells.

Insight?

thomas, get a chance go. The first andonlt time i went i was like a kid in a toy store. one thing i got to meet people i do business with.
mike

[cgland]

We have been to MAHTS every year since it's inception. It has certainly grown into a really nice show. I like to use it to get together with people I have made contact w/ over the year. Last year I stayed down for a couple of days just to enjoy the nightlife a bit. I will definately be going this year. Maybe take a VanderKoi class.

Chris

[tthomass]

how many days do ya'll usually go for?

[cgland]

Last year I went for 2 days. 1 day for seminars and 1 day to check out the exibits. That leaves 1 night to partay!

Chris

[mrusk]

tthomas don't worry, what happens in AC stays in AC.

[SCgreenscapes]

I'm heading to Hardscape North America. I am really looking to get some classes under my belt, so i have loaded up to maximize my time. I looked at both, but education wise, HNA had the better line up this year. Plus, being in Music city will sure be nice too. any one else going?

[cgland]

I might go, but Dynascape has a 2 or 3 day class that week that I may take as well.

Chris

[mckeeland]

hey chris,

what VanderKoi class are u thinking about taking? i am reading his book right now and would like to take one of his classes there too.

[cgland]

Not sure yet. I have to see the list. Everytime I go to the site I can't view the list of classes. :(

Chris

[mckeeland]

see if this works

http://www.mahts.com/PDF/Attendee_Brochure_2008.pdf

[Colonial]

We are probably going to go, I want to get my NCMA certs and my one of my guys needs to be ICPI certified.

[mckeeland]

We are probably going to go, I want to get my NCMA certs and my one of my guys needs to be ICPI certified.

i dont think they have ICPI this year

[Colonial]

Oh thats nice, thanks for poppin my bubble McKee!! lol

I am looking at Hardscape NA right now they have it.

ICPI Certi is one day now??

[mckeeland]

your welcome! they burst mine too, i wanted to send my formans down there to get certified. maybe if we all keep complaining they will add it to the schedule.

i hope the icpi isn't one day now? thats retarded, the ncma was one day and that felt rushed to me. the icpi could be an all week course it they wanted it to be.

[Colonial]

i think thats how I am reading it. it has the dates they are offering the course in the column and they have 2 dates but no length of how long only the time 8am-5pm. hmmm maybe i am an idiot, lol

[SCgreenscapes]

the ICPI classes at HSNA are all two day classes. they offer it several times is what it is. I was going to get mine there, but found out that Pavestone is offering it in my home town two weeks before. So i am going to do the NCMA class and the hands on retaining wall class. and probally pick up a seminar or two.

[GreenMonster]

wow. anyone look at HNA schedule?

$450 hands on SRW
$450 hands on pavers
$60-70 per seminar

airfare, hotel, etc. this is looking like a pretty pricey show.....

[Colonial]

saw that, found out my local TEcho Depot is having the ICPI classes and NCMA classes 1st week of March 2 days ICPI 3rd day NCMA. No hotle no airfare. so we are dgoing there. Still going to go to Mahts but probably wont bring everyone.

[SCgreenscapes]

yeah, my trip to HSNA is looking to cost me around $2,500. a lot of money, but worth it to me if i learn a good bit.

[JZap]

Last year we were thinking about bringing some new workers to the Spanish classes only to find out (in the pub no less) that Allied was willing to set-up a free class very similar WITH refreshments. haha, but seriously, always check with your distributors they can usually set something up. And Allied's class was at around 4-5pm, so they didn't even miss a work day.