Growers And Suppliers Discuss Long-Term Strategic Needs At GreenhouseConnect

By Brian D. Sparks|October 25, 2016

Greenhouse Grower magazine’s GreenhouseConnect, held October 11-14 at the Hyatt Centric in Park City, UT, brought 19 growers together with 25 suppliers for two days of one-on-one discussions geared toward solving problems and generating new ideas. And while attendees on both sides accomplished much, it 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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GreenhouseConnect 2016 kicked off with a Grower Roundtable, which featured a discussion on topics such as labor, automation, water management, and more.
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Cole Mangum of Bell Nursery at the Grower Roundtable
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Growers and suppliers gathered together for a welcome reception.
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The scenery of Park City, UT, provided a perfect backdrop for this year's GreenhouseConnect.
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The primary focus of GreenhouseConnect is one-on-one meetings between growers and industry suppliers.
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Held in private suites, these meetings are designed to help growers and suppliers discuss long-term strategies and planning in an environment free from distractions.
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GreenhouseConnect 2016 came to a close with a fireside dinner at the Empire Canyon Lodge.
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This big guy tried to sneak into dinner, but unfortunately for him, it was invitation-only.

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.

The Grower Roundtable, a kick-off event held prior to the opening reception, featured an open discussion on some of the common problems and challenges that growers face, from labor supply to maximizing water use to dealing with seasonal production issues.

All in all, the 2016 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.

Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s GreenhouseConnect! For more information on how you can participate as a grower or a supplier, contact Greenhouse Grower Editor Laura Drotleff, Greenhouse Grower Publisher George Casey, or Director, Connect Events John Hendel.