CNLA news January 2019

CNLA participates in IGCA 2018

The 2018 International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) Congress took place in the Czech Republic in September of 2018. Over five days, 180 members from 19 countries toured nine garden centres, one of the largest nurseries in the country, a big box competitor and a supplier factory. Delegates were welcomed at nearly every stop by local musicians playing traditional music.

The range of products included plants, trees, cut flowers and florist services, of course, but also clothing, wines, soaps, oils, tea, gourmet foods and cafés. One garden centre served over 150,000 café customers last year.

Another great initiative coming out of the Congress is a student exchange program, where young industry members can connect with a host garden centre in another country to gain and exchange valuable experiences. More information on this venture will be available in the new year.

The Congress also featured business sessions, where information was shared on top issues, including weather, economy, finding qualified staff, changing consumer behaviour and competition. Morning seminar presentations from industry veterans became topics of conversation on the buses, as delegates headed out on the tours.
Delegates on the IGCA tour were welcomed at garden centres including Zahradnictví Dvorák a syn. Canadian delegates included Kenneth and Jennifer Sipkens of Sipkens Nursery; John and Sally Zaplatynsky, Rory and Heather Pearce, and Leanne and Michael Johnson of Garden Works; Cheney and Tony Hui of 99 Nursery & Florists; Karl and Valerie Stensson of Sheridan Nurseries; Nico and Patricia van der Pauw of Nicos Nurseryland; Robin Godfrey of Lakeland Plant World; Alison, Murray and Ashleigh Munro of Kiwi Nurseries; Alice O’Keefe and Bonnie Hopkins of O’Neill’s Gardenland; Leonard Hickey and Joan Madden of Hickey’s Greenhouses & Nursery; James and Sheryl Wotherspoon of Cheyenne Tree Farms; Rita and Bruce Hunter of Hunter Landscape Design; Michael Van Dongen of Van Dongen’s Landscaping & Nurseries; and Bill Kiervin and Victor Santacruz of CNLA.

 

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Industry wage survey coming soon

The wage survey conducted by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) will be distributed to all active members in the next few weeks. To promote the survey’s success, the following gives some insight on the types of information required to ensure the process is as painless as possible.

The information you will need to prep is: Average Base Hourly Wage: Total the number of employees working within a specific job description, and divide that total by the average base hourly wage of those employees. Base Hourly Wage is the straight time pay, not including overtime, shift premium, bonuses, benefits, profit sharing, payroll deductions, etc. Converting Salary into Base Hourly Wage: Divide total gross salary per week by 40 hours. Average Number of Hours Worked Annually: Total the number of hours for all employees that do the job presently and divide by number of employees. Average Years of Employment within Business: Total the number of years of employment of all the present employees that do the job, and divide by the number of employees. Total Number of Employees: Total number of employees for that specific job.

The wage survey is an important tool to help understand our industry across Canada, inform potential employees, and potentially influence government and provide useful data to our member firms. As this wage survey is a continuation of a project completed in 2014-15, we have the unique ability to analyze trends, as well as provide solid business intelligence to help our member companies thrive and grow. The wage survey is online at www.wagesurvey.ca. Click on The Survey, then Take the Survey Now, or visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/wage-survey2018.
 

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B.C. Japanese beetle update

While the number of Japanese beetles caught in B.C. has leveled off, landscape professionals are urged to continue to look out for the pests and report them, dead or alive. The treatment area has been expanded to include the perimeter around False Creek. Treatment of all hot spots on private land has been completed. As of Oct. 15, movement of green waste is no longer regulated. To receive regular updates on the issue, sign up at: bclna.com/japanese-beetle-updates/.
 

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MBNLA’s Hinton resigns

Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association (MBLNA) Executive Director Sharra Hinton announced her resignation in September.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I share with you my decision to leave MBNLA,” Hinton wrote in an email to MBNLA members. “Believe me; it was a difficult decision to make. The past five years as Executive Director for this association have literally flown by! I’ve loved the opportunity to learn more about this amazing profession from those of you working in it each and every day. I share your excitement and enthusiasm. Thank you for inspiring me. Although I am leaving my role with MBNLA, I will not be leaving the industry. As a co-owner of Weed Man, I am simply redirecting my attention back to our business. I see great opportunities and growth ahead for our profession in Manitoba and am very excited about all the things MBNLA and its members will continue to accomplish. I look forward to being a part of it.”
 

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Landscape Canada transition

Landscape Canada Committee Chair Cable Baker of Down to Earth Landscapes in Langley, B.C., stepped down from the role in September. Vice Chair Leslie Cornell of Cornell Design and Landscaping in Moose Jaw, Sask., has moved into the chair role.

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The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is the federation of Canada’s provincial horticultural trade associations. Visit www.cnla-acpp.ca for more information.