Page 44 - Free State Spring 2023_WEB

MEMBER EVENT

Chesapeake Green

2023 Recap

oining the MNLGA team just a few short months ago, I consultant, to be our keynote this year. Harriett’s
Jhad heard so much about Chesapeake Green even from engaging and interactive address covered the various
my very first day. I looked forward to meeting so many of best practices in working better together with less stress
you I had heard so much about. For several of you, getting by communicating more clearly, resolving conflicts,
to catchup with one another at Chessie each year is such and improving body-mind health in one’s personal and
a treat, so it was great to see the high energy of everyone professional lives.
back together. The Chessie Green atmosphere felt a little Our incredible plenary speaker, Dr. Charlie Hall, from Texas
more like being home again in February. The wonderful A & M University, joined us via Zoom. Dr. Hall’s presentation
sweets tasted were a bonus, as always.
titled “Green Industry Economic Climate and Forecast for
The education committee met as normal in the summer to 2023”, shared with attendees past statistics and discussed
plan this outstanding conference full of great speakers and “the road ahead” for the industry. Charlie took a deep dive
hot content. It was business as usual, contacting speakers, into the green industry and the economic impact that it
securing their titles and session topics, biographies, has had over the past year. Charlie discussed issues such
and the program was coming together beautifully. The as supply chain challenges, raising cost of imports and
committee decided to host the Nursery Grower, Landscape fuel, and inflation that is impacting all industries. He gave
Contractor, Greenhouse Grower, Retail Growers, and his prediction of what can be expected in 2023 and shared
Garden Center tracks on day one, concluding the day by tips on actions that businesses can take to best position
welcoming back Dr. Charlie Hall to speak at the plenary themselves for a successful year.
session.
In between our keynote and plenary sessions, speakers
We were pleased to welcome Harriet Russell, a business touched on a wide variety of topics from biological pest

Dr. John Erwin & Dr. Paul Fisher catch up Attendees visit sponsor tables between sessions.

44 SPRING 2023 • Free State News