May 15, 2015
Gear Up for Spring event continues amazing growth
A hands-on truck inspection brought everyone outside during the Gear Up for Spring Event.
Golden Horseshoe Chapter’s Gear up for Spring Trade Show and Presentation continued its expansion in attractions and attendance.

In 2013, organizers were ecstatic over the success of the event when it reached capacity with over 120 in attendance. Last year’s event, more than doubled those numbers. This year’s event on Mar. 31 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds attracted over 400 attendees.

“I am thrilled with the attendance. It was a great day for members to network,” said Golden Horseshoe Chapter Board’s second vice president Tim Rivard CLT, chair of the Gear Up for Spring event.

All sectors were represented at the show, including, garden centres, grounds management, growers, landscape contractors, lawn care, interiorscape, irrigation, lighting and snow and ice.

The Ministry of Transportation presentation, by Jason Droog, Hamilton-Niagara District Enforcement Manager, saw a capacity audience. This was followed by a hands-on truck inspection outside by the OPP Halton Police with CVSA inspectors Pat Martin and Scott Oldfield, dangerous goods inspector Steve Long, and Sgt. Dave McDougal, supervisor of traffic services.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System officials were also on hand to prepare attendees for the season ahead. The free two-hour session complied with the legal requirement for employees exposed to hazardous materials at the workplace.

The trade show featured a wide range of products and services by exhibitors from across the Golden Horseshoe. Attendees enjoyed seeing the newest lines in vehicles, equipment, landscape materials, safety clothing, plant material and more. Essential business services were also on hand to help companies with insurance, website, financial and other office needs.

The main event sponsor was Windmill Power Equipment of Dundas, while other sponsors included Nisco National Leasing, Martek Supply and South Oakville Dodge.

Chapter coordinator Lee Rozon says, “The Golden Horseshoe Chapter board members and their employees dedicated countless hours and were instrumental in once again working extremely hard as a team along with staff from Landscape Ontario to pull off this show, which quadrupled in size for the number of exhibitors.”

Rozon offered a very “special thank you to Tanya Ribbink of Bos Landscaping for much appreciated assistance with the registration desk, along with Kathleen Pugliese who orchestrated a perfect flow of the large number of attendees smoothly.”