I will always remember the moment I walked into my very first Landscape Ontario Congress more than 20 years ago. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Maybe I would see a few trade booths and some trucks and equipment for sale. Maybe there would be an educational seminar or two, if any. But what I discovered was something much more profound — a dramatic boost in my professional pride and a genuine sense of belonging.

Almost instantly, I was surrounded by dedicated individuals who spoke the same language — landscape professionals, horticulturalists and designers who had weathered the same seasons, battled the same labour shortages, stressed over the same inefficiencies and faced down the same lowball pricing concerns. That year at Congress, I participated in my first real peer networking experience: a literal round-table discussion with several industry leaders I’d only read about with admiration. We shared stories, challenges and a few laughs. I gained valuable insight, practical ideas and the kind of wisdom you only get from lived experience. More importantly, I walked away with several professional partnerships and genuine friendships I truly value and that continue to flourish to this very day.

At that moment I realized Landscape Ontario wasn’t simply an association — it was a unified, living community. One that I’ve leaned on, contributed to and grown with for decades.

Growth, culture and credibility

Over the years, I’ve come to see associations like Landscape Ontario not as a line item on a budget, but as an asset — something that strengthens our profession, our businesses, our brand and our people. Our team regularly taps into LO’s professional development resources — from certification programs and training sessions to workshops and webinars. These aren’t just check-the-box events, they’re culture and success builders. They send a clear message to our employees: we’re serious about growing and we expect that same commitment in return.

Beyond the basics, being part of a community like LO keeps us current. With a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in our industry — labour trends, new technologies, regulations, environmental guidelines and shifting economic conditions — we’re better equipped to adapt and lead. The best decisions don’t come from experience alone, they come from surrounding yourself with people who’ve not only figured out what works, but more importantly, what doesn’t. After all, if you’re the smartest person in the room, it might be time to find a new room.

The practical business perks are real, too. We’ve leveraged supplier programs, fleet discounts, virtual discussions and webinars, and rebate partnerships that directly impact our bottom line. Even in Quebec, as active members through the Ottawa Chapter, we proudly display the LO logo as a badge of honour, participating in events and representing our ideas within the broader professional community. Clients may not know all the details, but they recognize that we’re part of something larger — something that represents quality, ethics, standards and true professionalism.

Success is a team sport

But here’s what I’ve come to value most: the people. The camaraderie. The willingness to share and the hunger to grow and succeed together.

You can build a solid company on your own. But if you want to build a resilient, respected and future-ready one, you do that in the right company.

We work in a profession that literally shapes and enhances the world around us. We create spaces that help people connect, heal, celebrate and unwind. That’s a pretty powerful thing. And to do that work as part of a professional community, one that advocates for us, educates us and pushes us to always do better and be better, is both a privilege and a strategic advantage.

If you’ve ever paused to consider the real value of this community, think back. What has it helped you achieve? Who have you met? What have you learned? And maybe more importantly, how can you continue to grow, contribute and lead? Because in this business, success isn’t luck. It's built on learning, connection and community.

And the right community doesn’t just improve your business — it rewrites what you thought was even possible.

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