Explore Education Sessions

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

MAINTENANCE

PPE and Chemical Safety Workshop

Presented by Elena Rojas | SAIF

Get hands-on with personal protective equipment (PPE) and learn practical ways to avoid common safety mistakes crews face in the field.

CONSTRUCTION

Reading Blueprints and Doing Take Offs

Presented by Laura Beckett | DeSantis Landscapes

Work with real drawings to practice measurements and takeoffs while learning how to translate plans into accurate field work.

IRRIGATION

Valve Autopsy Lab

Tear down real valves, diagnose common failures, and build confidence troubleshooting valve problems in the field.

CLIENT SERVICES

Difficult Client Role Play Lab

Presented by Jim Lewis | Lewis Landscape Services

Practice navigating challenging client conversations while protecting relationships and keeping difficult situations on track.

EXECUTIVE

Understanding Indemnity Language

Presented by David Bowser | Jordan Ramis

Learn what indemnity language means for your business, what contract language to watch for, and when to ask questions before signing.

ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY SESSION

OLCA Women in Landscaping Roundtable

This roundtable will provide an open, guided discussion where participants can share perspectives, learn from one another, and identify practical takeaways they can apply to their careers, leadership, and professional growth.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM - Featured Keynote Presentation

Never Too Late to Grow

Presented by Bill & Carole Ticer | B&C Landscaping

After more than four decades in the landscape industry, Bill and Carole Ticer discovered that experience alone wasn't enough to take their business to the next level.

What began as a small family operation in 2001 has grown into an approximately $4 million landscaping company built on quality, integrity, customer service, and developing great people.

In this inspiring and practical keynote, Bill and Carole will share how they embraced change, strengthened leadership, developed better systems, and began integrating artificial intelligence throughout their business.

What You'll Learn:

• Why personal growth and leadership development are essential to business growth.
• How stronger systems and accountability improve daily operations.
• Practical ways AI can help owners, managers, crew leaders, and employees work more efficiently.
• How to turn employee knowledge into lasting company resources.
• Why clearly defined career paths help develop and retain great employees.
• How technology, leadership, and company culture work together to build a stronger business.

Their message is simple: You're never too experienced to learn, never too old to change, and never too late to grow.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

MAINTENANCE

Jobsite Safety: Recognize Risks, Prevent Accidents

Presented by Pedro Garcia | Garcia's Landscape Maintenance LLC

Safety only works if it shows up in the field. This session breaks down real jobsite risks and how to handle them before they become costly. Learn practical ways to strengthen awareness, decision-making, and crew safety.

CONSTRUCTION

Making Production Rates in Construction

Presented by Scott Friedman | GT Landscape Solutions

Learn how to establish realistic production rates based on actual crew performance. Work through examples, identify where jobs go off track, and discover how to price and manage work to protect profitability.

IRRIGATION

2-Wire

Presented by Brian Clark | Wyeast Gardens

Explore 2-wire irrigation systems in a practical, approachable format. Work through real setups and common field issues to build confidence in installing, servicing, and troubleshooting these systems.

CLIENT SERVICES

Sales Call Breakdown

Presented by Andrew Letersky | ULA

Learn what makes a successful sales conversation. Discover practical strategies for closing work, what to say, what to avoid, and how to confidently move opportunities forward.

EXECUTIVE

Oregon Legislative & Industry Update

Presented by Bill Cross & Niki Terzieff | OLCA Lobbyists

Stay informed about legislative activity and issues affecting Oregon's landscape industry. Learn what's changing, what businesses should watch, and how OLCA is involved in industry advocacy.

ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY SESSION

Student Programming

Additional details coming soon.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

MAINTENANCE

Chainsaw Safety: Proper Use & Best Practices

Presented by Logan Collier & Jeffrey Osaki | Bartlett

Chainsaws are powerful tools, but improper use can lead to serious injuries. Learn about safe chainsaw operation, proper handling techniques, PPE, and common mistakes to avoid. Gain practical safety tips and learn to recognize potential hazards when operating chainsaws in the field.

CONSTRUCTION

Safety on the Jobsite

Presented by Jack Teeter | SAIF

Explore common safety challenges on construction jobsites. Learn practical strategies crews can use immediately to reduce risks, prevent unsafe shortcuts, and avoid close calls.

IRRIGATION

Wire Tracking and Finding Faults

Use real tools and a step-by-step process to track irrigation wires, locate faults, and reduce troubleshooting time.

CLIENT SERVICES

Pricing and Margin Protection

Presented by Bill Benoit | BOSSby Integra

Explore how contractors price work and protect profit margins. Work through real examples, identify where money is lost, and develop strategies for pricing confidently and profitably.

EXECUTIVE

AI in Landscaping: Work Smarter, Save Time

Presented by Mark Pyrah | Peak Landscape Solutions

Discover practical ways artificial intelligence can save time, improve operations, and support everyday decision-making in a landscape business.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

MAINTENANCE

Job Site Efficiency Bootcamp

Presented by Gerardo Bastida | GT Landscape Solutions

Where is your crew losing time? This practical, fast-paced session breaks down a real workday to improve setup, movement, and execution in the field. Identify ways to increase production without adding more hours.

CONSTRUCTION

Crew Leadership in the Field – Efficient Job Sequencing

Presented by Justin Smith | DeSantis Landscapes

Learn practical approaches to sequencing jobs, keeping crews moving, and leading effectively in the field. Gain real-world insights into what works, what doesn't, and why.

IRRIGATION

Rebuilding Backflows

Get hands-on experience disassembling, evaluating, and rebuilding backflow prevention assemblies for return to service.

CLIENT SERVICES

Writing Estimates

Presented by Heather Palmer | Peak Landscape

Learn how to prepare clear estimates that clients understand and crews can execute. Using real examples, discover what separates effective estimates from weak ones and how strong estimates help win work and prevent problems.

EXECUTIVE

Executive Roundtable: Real Challenges, Real Conversations

Moderated by Mark Pyrah | Peak Landscape

Join fellow business owners and industry leaders for an open conversation about today's business challenges. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn what is working across the landscape industry.