LPU: Course descriptions and approved credits
Demystifying AI for Landscape Leaders
Business
This plain-English session explains what AI is (and isn’t), why it matters for landscape businesses, and how leaders can begin using it effectively. We’ll demonstrate practical examples—like streamlining proposals, improving scheduling, and estimation—to show where AI is already delivering real results. Attendees will leave with a confidence in the topic, a common language to discuss it with their teams, and simple first steps for getting started without being overwhelmed.
Instructor: Ken Stibler
CEUs offered: NCLCLB - 1 hour Business; GCSAA - .50 education points
Cómo comencé y logré hacer crecer mi empresa con éxito durante 34 años
Permeable and Alternative Surfaces for Hardscapes
Innovative solutions for contractors and specifiers
Pruning Best Practices
Elevate your team's skills with Pruning Best Practices. Discover the critical science behind timing and technique for ornamental trees and shrubs. You'll gain a deeper understanding of why we prune—for health, safety, and shape—to deliver superior results to your customers.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the Agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; ISA (Arborist, BCMA Science, BCMA practice, Urban Forest Professional: 1 hour); NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape. GCSAA - .50 education points
Riego Eficiente en Jardines Urbanos: Estrategias para el área metropolitana de Atlanta
Esta presentación destacará los principales retos y oportunidades del riego en paisajes urbanos y residenciales en el área de Atlanta. Se discutirán las consideraciones climáticas locales, la eficiencia en el uso del agua y las mejores prácticas para la selección, instalación y manejo de sistemas de riego en jardines, parques y áreas verdes. La charla también incluirá recomendaciones sobre la selección de plantas adaptadas al clima, el uso de tecnología inteligente y el aprovechamiento de datos de la red de estaciones meteorológicas de la Universidad de Georgia para mejorar el riego y la conservación del agua.
Talking Turfgrass Weed Science - Setting the Scene
Join for an engaging session starting with an introduction to UGA’s new Turfgrass Weed Scientist. Follow along with his experiences and the key things he’s learned so far, and then some prompted questions from the audience to discuss pressing weed science issues from landscape professionals in Georgia.
CEUs Awarded: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape. GCSAA - .50 education points
Two-Wire Installations…Economical and Profitable
This course will go over the basic principles of two-wire irrigation and how it differentiates from conventional systems. We will also look at proper installation techniques, best practices and troubleshooting
Instructor: John Santos, Irrigation Training Lead, SiteOne Landscape Supply
Basics of Soil Science for Turfgrass Systems
This seminar will begin with the fundamentals of soil science and expand into considerations for proper agronomics, like fertility and water management, and pest management specific to soil-borne organisms (e.g., diseases, insects, nematodes, and weeds).
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape. GCSAA - .50 education points
Iluminación paisajística, diseño y conceptos básicos de instalación
Irrigation Design…Concept to Finished Product
Basic principles of irrigation system design for good lawn coverage and understanding pressure. Stop the guessing of how many heads can be in a zone and learn more about basic hydraulics.
Manejo de Pastos Ornamentales
Con un manejo adecuado de los pastos ornamentales, las condiciones que causan enfermedades a menudo se reducen y se mantiene un pasto saludable. Esta clase cubrirá las prácticas de manejo que ayudarán a lograr una grama vigorosa y saludable y a reducir losproblemas de enfermedades en los pastos ornamentales.
Instructor: Sergio Sosa
Porcelain…It's Not Tile, It's a Paver
The porcelain paver installation class provides a comprehensive learning experience in mastering the art of installing porcelain pavers. This hands-on class is designed to equip participants with the essential skills, techniques, and knowledge required to work with porcelain pavers effectively.
Rethinking Urban Spaces: Sustainable Landscapes to Reduce Pest Issues
Urban landscapes are often designed with aesthetics in mind, but design choices can unintentionally invite pest problems. In this talk, Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard will explore how sustainable landscape practices can transform our cities and neighborhoods into healthier, more resilient spaces with fewer pest challenges. Drawing from principles of ecology, horticulture, and integrated pest management, this session will highlight strategies such as diversifying plant palettes, incorporating native species, reducing monocultures, and designing with water, soil, and habitat balance in mind. Participants will gain insight into how sustainable design reduces reliance on chemical controls, enhances biodiversity, and creates functional landscapes that are both beautiful and resilient. Whether you are a landscape professional, community planner, or homeowner, this session will inspire new ways to rethink urban green spaces for long-term health and sustainability.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the Agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; ISA (Arborist, BCMA Science, BCMA practice, Urban Forest Professional: 1 hour); NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape; GCSAA - .50 education points
Up Sales - Key Fundamentals to Selling Landscape Enhancements
Unlock the full potential of your business by mastering the art of the upsell. This session goes beyond simply selling more and focuses on building trust and long-term client relationships. Learn how to transform your role from a service provider to a trusted advisor by proactively identifying and presenting high-value landscape enhancements.
CEUs offered: NCLCLB - 1 hour Business; GCSAA - .50 education points
Vendor Expo/Lunch
Beyond the Basics: Tools and Tactics for Better AI Usage
Learn how to make AI a sharper, with practical demos of how to improve prompts, how to leverage "strategic" prompts to compound progress, and how to build custom GPTs for specific outputs. Attendees will leave with clear, actionable techniques for making AI more useful day to day, without needing any technical background.
CEUs offered: NCLCLB - 1 hour Business; GCSAA - .50 education points
A Walk Through the Landscape: Troubleshooting Issues in the Field (Hands-On)!
This informal outdoor session is a walk and discussion on issues and troubleshooting as we find them in the landscape. Topics may include but not limited to, plant/weed ID, abiotic stresses and symptoms, nutritional disorders and symptoms, and best management practices.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the Agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; ISA (Arborist, BCMA Science, BCMA practice, Urban Forest Professional: 1 hour); GCSAA - .50 education points
GA Pesticide License Training
This complete 3-session track will prepare applicants for the Georgia Pesticide License General Standards and Category 24 license test.
Manejo Práctico de Paisajismo Duro: Muros, Adoquines y Más (3 horas)
Este taller intensivo de 3 horas está diseñado para profesionales y entusiastas que buscan dominar las técnicas esenciales de la instalación de paisajismo duro (hardscape). De la preparación del sitio a los acabados finales, esta serie práctica lo guiará a través de los fundamentos para construir elementos duraderos y estéticamente agradables.
Irrigate By Phone From Anywhere
This session will delve into the latest web and app-based products for irrigation control. Discover how these advanced tools can help you increase efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability in your landscape projects. Led by expert Josh LeGrett, you'll gain practical knowledge on optimizing your irrigation management from anywhere.
Recent Outbreaks and Shifting Dynamics of Insect Pests in Turfgrass Systems
This session will explore the primary insect pest challenges in turfgrass systems for the 2024–2025 season, focusing on their identification, biology, and effective management strategies.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape. GCSAA - .50 education points
Strategic Acquisitions: 10 Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Acquiring a company can be your fastest route to growth, but it's also a minefield of potential mistakes that can cost millions and set your strategy back years. The difference between a transformative deal and a cautionary tale lies in recognizing the warning signs. This presentation is your guide to navigating the process with confidence. We'll expose the 10 hidden traps that even experienced leaders fall into, including poor cultural fit, unrealistic synergy projections, and failed integration planning. You’ll walk away not just knowing what to avoid, but how to build a proactive framework for success.
CEUs offered: NCLCLB - 1 hour Business; GCSAA - .50 education points
Synthetic Turf Installation
Learn the basics behind installing a successful synthetic turf surface.
Winning the Weed War: Essential Methods for ID, Prevention and Control
Weeds covering you up? There are several methods to prevent and control weeds in nursery and landscape situations. These weed control methods can provide excellent weed control if performed correctly. To get the best weed control results, it is extremely important that you have a firm understanding of the weeds you are trying to control and the tools to control them.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the Agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; ISA (Arborist, BCMA Science, BCMA practice, Urban Forest Professional: 1 hour); NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape; GCSAA - .50 education points
Beyond Mowing: Harnessing PGRs for Superior Turfgrass Health and Efficiency
Considering incorporating plant growth regulators (PGRs) into your turfgrass management program? This seminar will discuss the various PGRs, how they work, and could be used in a landscape management program.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape. GCSAA - .50 education points
Drainage for Hardscapes
Channel drains are critical components in managing surface water on hardscape installations such as driveways, patios, pool decks, and walkways. This specialized course offers a comprehensive overview of channel drainage systems-what they are, when to use them, and how to properly install them for the long-term perforamnce and code compliance. Participants will learn how to assess site drainage needs, choose appropriate channel drain systems, and integrate them into various hardscape materials including concrete, pavers, and natural stone. The course also covers proper layout, slope, connection to stormwater systems, and common installation error to avoid. Whether you're designing residential or commercial outdoor spaces, this course equips you with the knowledge to enhance functionality, prevent water damage, and ensure professional results.
Instructor: Bryan Pfaff
Specification Manager
Growth and Process: How to Build the Right Accounting, Administration, and Finance Team
As a company grows and scales, the need for strength in the Accounting, Administration and Finance functions increases. Merely adding headcount without clearly identifying the outcomes you are trying to achieve is an inefficient strategy. This session will explore the different skill sets and responsibilities involved in these disciplines, how each area compliments the other, and discuss options to help you make wiser organizational decisions.
CEUs offered: NCLCLB - 1 hour Business; GCSAA - .50 education points
Irrigation Repairs, Controls, Spring Start Ups and Winterization
Join us and get your questions answered about Remote Connectivity to your Irrigation systems. In this class we will discuss current technologies used for communicating with Irrigation Controls, i.e., WIFI, Cellular, Ethernet, and LoRa radio. We will also touch on The “Cloud”, Site Surveys, and Site requirements for successful connections.
Plant Disease Mysteries in the Ornamental Landscape: Diagnosis and Management
This session will highlight some of the most common and impactful plant diseases affecting commercial landscapes in Georgia. We’ll explore practical management stragegies, with a focus on effective chemical tools. In addition, the session offers an opportunity for landscape professionals to engage directly with an extension specialist, exchange insights, and identify emerging challenges that will shape the future of landscape health.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the Agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; ISA (Arborist, BCMA science, BCMA practice, Urban Forest Professional: 1 hour); NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape; GCSAA - .50 education points
Breeding Seeded Turfgrasses at the University of Georgia: Progress Towards New Cultivars for Georgia Landscapes
This presentation will highlight ongoing efforts at the University of Georgia to develop improved seeded turfgrass cultivars tailored to the needs of Georgia’s landscape industry. The primary focus will be on tall fescue, including breeding strategies aimed at enhancing drought tolerance, disease resistance, and overall turf quality. Additional updates will be provided on research involving seeded bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, and seashore paspalum, with an emphasis on traits relevant to lawn performance and adaptability in the Southeast. Attendees will gain insight into the breeding process, cultivar evaluation, and the potential impact of new releases on landscape management practices.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; GCSAA - .50 education points
Holiday Lighting: Light up your Holidays with Profit
This course offers an introduction to the professional holiday lighting market. Participants will learn the fundamentals of installing, maintaining and designing seasonal lighting displays with an emphasis on efficiency and profitability. Topics will include product selection, layout and planning, installation techniques and consultations. The class will also cover the fundamentals of estimating, pricing strategies and value-added service offerings. This course will ultimately provide the insight needed to offer holiday lighting as a profitable service.
Instructor: Adam Edgar
Retaining Wall Installation…Must Have Knowledge
In this course we will delve into the "bones" of modular retaining wall design and construction, advantages and disadvantages of various types of systems, and the overall do's and don'ts of wall construction.
The Closing Code: Cracking the Secret to Faster Sales
Challenge your beliefs about Professional Selling. This interactive workshop if for sales professionals and service providers: we will delve into both traditional selling techniques and innovative strategies for today. Participants examine their current practices and identify untapped potential. We’ll explore a systematic approach to selling that empowers salespeople to improve performance, increase revenues, and maintain margins.
CEUs Offered: GCSAA - .50 education points
The Future of the Landscape: Highlighting Innovative Research in Woody Ornamentals
Discover the forefront of research in woody ornamentals and how it is shaping the future of landscape design. This session dives into the innovative development of new varieties that boast enhanced traits, promising to revolutionize sustainability practices. Led by expert Lav Yadav, you'll gain insights into the latest advancements and how these new woody ornamentals can transform your landscaping projects.earn how new varieties with enhanced traits will impact landscape design and sustainability.
CEUs Offered: GA Cat 24: 1 hour; AL approved for 10, D&R, OTPC, OTPS, REG (must attend full day 5 sessions); SC approved for Cat 3 (4 hours) but must attend 5 sessions in either the Agronomics and/or Hort/TreeCare/Design tracks; ISA (Arborist, BCMA Science, BCMA practice, Urban Forest Professional: 1 hour); NCLCLB - 1 hour Landscape; GCSAA - .50 education points
