Growers and Suppliers Talk Strategy and Problem Solving at GreenhouseConnect 2017

A group of 23 leading greenhouse growers and 30 industry suppliers came together in Park City, UT, in October for three days of networking and one-on-one discussions geared toward solving problems and generating new ideas.

Greenhouse Grower’s 2017 GreenhouseConnect, held October 24-27, wasn’t all about business. The event offered plenty of opportunities for socializing and peer-to-peer networking when attendees weren’t in meetings.

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During the event, decision makers for both growers and suppliers were able to quickly get down to the issues that mattered most, with 50 minutes of uninterrupted meeting time, something that is difficult to do at a tradeshow or at certain times of the year when the greenhouse is busy. Growers also used the meeting times to share their challenges, concerns, and expectations with suppliers.

A Grower Roundtable, held prior to the opening reception, kicked off the event and featured short presentations from Amy Robinson, an employment attorney with Jordan Ramis PC, and Kerry Scott of MAS Labor H-2A. Robinson discussed what growers need to know about ever-evolving overtime rules and regulations, including how to make sure your policies are up to date. Scott outlined the federal H-2A program and how it could potentially benefit growers looking for reliable workers, and brought attendees up to speed on the new H-2C (Agricultural Guestworker Act) program, which as of press time had been approved by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.

Following the presentations from Robinson and Scott, the growers at the roundtable participated in an open discussion on some of the common problems and challenges that growers face, from labor supply to attracting and maintaining quality employees.

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All in all, the 2017 GreenhouseConnect was the perfect venue to bring top industry players together to facilitate the success of their businesses. Check out the slideshow above to catch some of the highlights.

The 2018 GreenhouseConnect will take place Oct. 23-26 at the Hyatt Centric in Park City, UT.

Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s GreenhouseConnect! For more information on how you can participate as a grower or a supplier, contact Laura Drotleff, Greenhouse Grower Editor; George Casey, Commercial Sales Manager; John Hendel, Director, Connect Events; or Rosemary Gordon, Editor, Grower Programs and Events, U.S. Hort Group.

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