About FNGLA

Short Course

The FNGLA Short Course is held in conjunction with FNGLA's The Landscape Show each year. The two-day format offers programs on garden center management, grower management, landscape design and landscape management.

To add to the educational experience and limited to Short Course participants, the FNGLA Short Course at The Landscape Show typically offers a guided tour of a premier Orlando-area resort or garden area. Designed to excite even the most seasoned landscape professional, this tour offers unique and cutting-edge plant palates!

Who Should Attend?
Retail Garden Center Professionals, Landscapers, Landscape Designers, Woody Ornamental Growers

Continuing Education Units

• FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP)
• FNGLA Certified Landscape Contractor, Technician & Designer (FCLC, FCLT, FCLD)
• Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator Licenses (FDACS)

• Click here to view sponsorship opportunities.
• Click here to register online.

Schedule and Pricing

FNGLA Short Course - Schedule of Events
Take part in the top-notch FNGLA Short Course for the most comprehensive selection of sessions. Learn from leading experts on everything from current economic conditions to the latest trends in landscapes

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Orlando Landscape Tour
This tour will give you a behind-the-scene glimpse at what it takes to implement design concepts, install and maintain commercial landscapes in Central Florida. There is more to design than adding color or a unique plant palette. To maintain a healthy and sustainable landscape, irrigation plays an important role in the success and longevity of the landscape. You will also see a new dimension in landscape management from ET clocks to soil moisture sensors. This landscape tour will show the latest in irrigation technology in action both in a residential setting and installed on commercial properties.

Tour Stop 1:
During the stop at Gran Park At South Park, attendees will have the opportunity to see irrigation systems that have been retrofitted with Netafim technology, pump stations with the rust removal system, the sustainable elements of a commercial property. The group will then meet with the facility manager to discuss the relationship between the property and landscape company.

Tour Stop 2:
Next stop is at Hunters' Creek Association Headquarters where Orange County Commissioner S. Scott Boyd; John Rasnic, General Manager of Hunters' Creek; Roy Figg, Landscape Manager; and Camille Reynolds, Environmental Programs Administrator at Orange County Utilities Water Division, will be speaking about the successful relationships between the groups that have created sound landscape practices with innovative irrigation technology. The group will complete the tour by visiting three residential properties to see how ET clocks and soil moisture sensors have been installed.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. BREAKOUTS

	Design Like An Artist (S1) Gary Smith, W. Gary Smith Design, Austin, TX While designers solve problems, artists raise questions. Step beyond making "solutions" in garden design and explore a world where there are more questions than answers. With his award-winning work in botanic gardens and arboreta, landscape architect Gary Smith blends artistry with sustainability. After observing the visual vocabulary of patterns and processes that drive the Universe, you'll learn some simple graphic techniques for recording it all. Unleash the artist within yourself, and make meaningful gardens that express the relationship between the site and your own creative spirit.		Gary Smith
	Ten Most Common Mistakes in the Landscape (S2) Lloyd Singleton, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Looking for a solution? This session will not only look at common mistakes in the landscape but provide practical ways to eliminate, fix or improve.		Lloyd Singleton
	Outrageous Marketing: How to Create Outrageously Effective Marketing Materials (S3) Ron Rosenberg, QualityTalk, Inc., Raleigh, NC Getting the same tired results from your marketing materials? It's probably because your sales letters, magazine ads, and brochures look just like everyone else's. Isn't it time to try something different…and incredibly effective? In this highly interactive and entertaining workshop, you'll learn how to apply Ron Rosenberg's outrageous marketing strategies to improve the effectiveness of your own marketing communications.		Ron Rosenberg
	Show Stopping New Varieties (S4) Heather Will-Browne and Melissa Shepherd, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL Spring exploded with lots of color at the 2011 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. This year, Walt Disney World (WDW) helped tell the story of how plants get their start at FNGLA's Floriculture Field Days. Evaluators Heather and Melissa will share with you some great finds to incorporate into your designs or add to your inventory.	Melissa Shepherd and Heather Will-Brown

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

The Road to Remarkable (L1) Doug Stephens, Retail Prophet Consulting, Toronto, Ontario Consumers have less time and more choices. Success today means being remarkable and standing out from the competition. Remarkable businesses develop a loyal following, uncontested market space and ultimately survive the test of time. The Road to Remarkable will spark your company's imagination providing proven strategies to move your business from ordinary to extraordinary.

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. BREAKOUTS

	Designing for Maturity (S5) Phil Maddux, Sanchez and Maddux, Inc., Palm Beach, FL When starting a new landscape design, how much thought goes into the way the landscape will look in 15 years? Phil Maddux, a landscape architect in South Florida, has spent many years specializing in residential and estate master planning. Come see how the elegance of classic gardens immersed in lush foliage can withstand the test of times.
	Practical Biological Control for the Florida Horticulture Industry (S6) Identifying key pests in your ornamental/nursery system, and the available beneficial insects, mites, or nematodes that could help control these pests, is the focus of this two part educational session sponsored by the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP). Experts will present targeted talks that zero in on your most important plant pests emphasizing pest identification, natural enemies that are commercially available, and techniques for proper timing and application to maximize control.
	The Business Owner's Survival Kit (S7) Ron Rosenberg, QualityTalk, Inc., Raleigh, NC Come hear seven proven strategies to get more done, grow your business, and take back your life! You're under constant pressure from the realities of the economy, the difficulties of finding qualified staff, and the overwhelming weight of being responsible for the long-term success of your organization. Despite your best efforts, you always seem to run from one crisis to the next, never truly finding the time to implement all the great ideas you know will grow your business. In this highly interactive program you'll discover proven, in-the-trenches and easy-to-implement strategies to keep your business strong.	Ron Rosenberg
	Care and Maintenance of Palms (S8) Tim Broschat and Monica Elliott, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL This session will look at the installation and maintenance of palms in the landscape including a segment on disease issues that are specific to palms.	Tim Broschat

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. BREAKOUTS

	Using Inspiration for Realistic Landscapes (S11) Carla Shuman, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL Where does the inspiration come from when creating realistic landscapes? Are there key elements around which every design is built? Or does the inspiration build the design? Carla Shuman, Walt Disney World landscape architect, will share what goes into the behind the scenes planning of many gardens for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.
	Going Green with Your Fleet - Alternatives Fuel Sources (S12) David Rigney, Heritage Propane, Port Orange, FL; Randy Coventry, Roberts' Supply, Winter Park, FL; and Glen Hamman, Gardner, Inc., Jacksonville, FL Are you looking to sharpen your numbers on fuel costs? Do you know alternatives to what you are currently using? This session will look at LP, diesel and fuel-injection options to make your fleet run more efficiently and be more environmentally conscious.
	It's A Wired, Wired World: The Future of Retail Technology (S13) Doug Stephens, Retail Prophet Consulting, Toronto, Ontario Today's tech-savvy customer may know more about your products than your best-trained staff. Technology is changing the way consumers shop and most importantly, it's arming them with unprecedented amounts of information. Attendees will gain a fascinating view of key technologies shaping the future of retailing and consumerism as well as a framework for deciding which are the best technologies to invest in.	Doug Stephens
	Sexy Succulents Take the Heat! Tips for Success with These Hot Plants (S14) Mark Russell, Sea World Parks & Entertainment, Orlando, FL and Kristin Pategas, Hortus Oasis, Winter Park, FL Succulents are great in a landscape design or if featured in a container. Mark Russell will share insight on how SeaWorld incorporated succulents into their new SeaGarden and discuss the maintenance program. Kristin Pategas will show how creative use of succulents in containers will jazz up any outdoor living space.

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. BREAKOUTS

	Shabby Chic to Recycled Art (S16) Carol Reese, University of Tennessee, Jackson, TN Ever think about adding windows, bicycles, stoves or old trucks to your designs. This presentation will show you how to turn shabby into chic and create some very elegant designs. Come see how to create fabulous new landscapes with plain old stuff. It is fun, affordable and maybe a little far out. This will be a session not to miss!	Carol Reese
	Sustainable Maintenance of Turf in the Landscape (S17) Lee Bloomcamp, Syngenta, Gainesville, FL Properly managed turf can enhance landscape aesthetics and space utilization. This session will offer practical information on how to manage turf as part of the landscape. See how selection of the suitable turf species, and appropriate maintenance play an important role in the success of the modern landscape.	Lee Bloomcamp
	Enhancing Your Marketing with Video (S18) Chris Beytes, Ball Publishing, Chicago, IL Are you looking for ways to stretch your marketing dollars? You don't have to hire a movie crew. Chris Beytes will show attendees some great tips for making short videos for Youtube in-house and share how industry is using as an easy marketing tool.	Chris Beytes
	Edible Landscapes: Fruit and Espalier (S19) Paul Fisher, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL and Robert Bowden, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, FL As the theme "Home Grown" still remains in the minds of today's consumers, Dr. Paul Fisher will highlight some of the new varieties of fruits being developed at the University of Florida and Robert Bowden will offer instruction on a special technique called espalier. Espalier can be used not only as a decorative element in landscape designs but for gardens with limited space. It's just another way to incorporate edibles in the landscapes.	Robert Bowden

10:15 a.m. -11:15 a.m. BREAKOUTS

	Make Your Container Gardens Sizzle (S20) Sharon Lovejoy, South Bristol, ME Sharon Lovejoy is an award winning author and illustrator, including recognition from the American Nursery and Landscaping Association. For 13 years, Sharon was a contributing editor for Country Living Gardener magazine with an award winning feature column. She currently is a regional contributor for Lowe's home improvement. Her homes and garden designs have been featured in countless books and magazines throughout this country, England, and Japan. Come hear what inspires her container gardens.
	Case Study: Techniques for Efficient Irrigation Water Use (S21) Dr. Michael Dukes, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL This session will provide an overview of Dr. Dukes' research on residential irrigation water use in Florida. Dr. Dukes will offer the landscape professionals insight on design, efficiency, optimization of irrigation systems and key things to help their residential customers be more successful with their landscapes. The use of smart irrigation control technologies will be highlighted.
	Making Your Own Road to Success (S22) A panel of industry members will be invited to share their insights on how they have remained successful through the economy's recession and recovery. Come see how they have sharpened their pencils and kept their business running smoothly.
	Integrating Natives in Formal Settings (S23) Sponsored by FNPP (Florida Native Plant Partnership) - Booth #632 Craig Huegel, Ecological Services Associates, LLC, Seminole, FL Come learn how you can install beautiful, practical landscapes in formal setting while conserving natural resources and restoring wildlife habitat. Learn about native trees and shrubs which perform well in the landscape and provide great food and resources for a variety of residents and migratory birds and butterflies. The Florida Native Plant Partnership is a collaboration of the Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN), Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), Florida Wildflower Foundation (FWF), and Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association ("Seed Co-Op"). All four organizations are committed to the preservation and promotion of Florida native plants and pool resources to create greater visibility for our plants in industry and the general consumer marketplace.

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - LUNCHEON

Botanical Version of Peyton Place (L2) Carol Reese, University of Tennessee, Jackson, TN After this luncheon session, your outdoor walks will never be the same. Carol's talk will not only indelibly remind you that flowers are sex organs; she will expose the more deviant forms. Beyond the blooms are bizarre stories of the sex lives of frogs, dragonflies, bees, butterflies and moths. Yes, Carol does make it funny, but it is actually a wonderful trip through the intimate interactions just outside the window, and the only frontal nudity is of flower parts and garden statuary. In addition, you will get some fabulous ideas on garden design from Carol's slides of gorgeous plants and imaginative structures.

Carol Reese

 

For additional details on the FNGLA Short Course or FNGLA's educational offerings, contact Linda Reindl at FNGLA for more information, (800) 375-3642.