LANDSCAPES 2019 Conference Grows A Culture of Safety

Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa looks forward to participating in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) LANDSCAPES event each year. From veteran industry icons to rookie start-ups, this event has information for everyone.

The 4-day schedule was packed as Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, and myself championed two different Breakfast with Champions' table topics. We discussed the top five free safety phone applications for landscape professionals.

As much as we are supposed to lead the discussion at the tables I always end up coming away learning more from the group. We discussed how equipment continues to evolve, and we witness the result this has on productivity, yet not often do companies explore how they can leverage today’s tech to become a safer company. From communication to training, and overall awareness, technology is ready to make a difference in the landscape industry.

Alyssa Burley, Rancho Mesa’s Media Communications Manager, had re-arranged a hotel conference room into our mobile studio, “StudioOne.” Alyssa and I were able to interview six different landscape companies from across the country. In the next few months, NALP and Rancho Mesa will be releasing the final version of these safety interviews to help the industry share ideas and continue to build upon establishing a safe work environment.

I was also able to interview Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Margaret Hartmann and Loss Control Manager Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) to provide insurance carrier perspective in regards to the landscape industry. In the months to come, you will hear how BHHC takes a proactive approach to claims management and injury prevention.

At the Kentucky Expo Center, Dave and I led a hour and fifteen-minute presentation on “the Four Secrets to Making Your Safety Program Improve Your Bottom Line,” which was full of audience interaction.

On the last night, I was selected to participate in the 50th Annual Awards of Excellence as the presenter for the safety portion of the program. I had the pleasure of announcing the winners of the Safety Awards and then join Rancho Mesa client Brett and Theresa Brennan of Urban Habitat, who collected a Gold Award for their Coachella Etherea Art Park Project.

Friday morning wrapped up the event and the team headed back to San Diego, CA. LANDSCAPES is held every October in Louisville, Kentucky. We hope you mark your calendar to join us, next year on October 20-23, 2020, for another incredible event!

Rancho Mesa Film Studio Travels East to National Conference

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Drew Garcia interviewing Margaret Hartmann Senior Vice President Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

Media Communications Manager, Alyssa Burley, moved the Rancho Mesa filming studio east to Louisville, Kentucky for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 2019 LANDSCAPES Conference.

Alyssa joined Drew Garcia, Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Landscapes Division and Program Manager for the NALP Lawn & Landscape Workers’ Compensation and Package Programs, as he interviewed several landscape industry professionals, including this year's safety award winners, and Margaret Hartmann & Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

LANDSCAPES is an educational event for landscape and lawn care professionals. The four day event is packed full of keynote speakers, expos, recognition ceremonies, networking, and more. Presenters included Drew and David Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, as they educated attendees on the "4 Secrets to Using Your Safety Program to Improve Your Bottom Line."

About NALP
The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.