MGIX changes format

The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) plans to transition to a new format for its annual conference, Midwest Green Industry Experience (MGIX). ONLA will host the 2018-2019 MGIX Series, a collection of three professional networking programs that will prioritize education, business development, collaboration and relationship building.

While ONLA has hosted its trade show MGIX, previously known as CENTS, for many years, the association hopes this new model will better serve its membership with more personalized programming spread throughout the year and offered in different locations across the state.

The first event in the series, the MGIX Member Summit, takes place Dec. 12 and 13, 2018, at the Hilton Easton in Columbus, Ohio. The two-day summit provides a solutions-based learning experience for business owners and professionals in the landscape and nursery segments. Highlights include a keynote presentation by Terri McEnaney, president of Bailey Nurseries, and ONLA’s annual awards celebration.

In addition, ONLA will host MGIX Training Days: Gear Up for Spring on March 5, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio, and on March 7, 2019, in Cleveland. These one-day programs will feature educational sessions, workshops, business development and networking opportunities for landscapers, growers and retail garden centers.

The MGIX Series complements ONLA’s current schedule of social and educational programming, including its annual golf outing, seasonal diagnostic walkabouts, biennial advocacy days and the Ohio High School Landscape Olympics.

Presenting sponsors of the MGIX Series are TAH Benefits, a benefits partner for Ohio green industry companies, and Wolf Creek Company, a distribution group serving the green industry.

Photo by Lauren Rathmell