Date: 8:30am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 10:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Speaker: Mario Lanthier, CropHealth Advising & Research | Kelowna, BC

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Mario Lanthier, CropHealth Advising & Research | Kelowna, BC

Mario has been working in the horticulture industry since 1980. His company offers services in Plant Health Care to public agencies and landscape maintenance companies in British Columbia and Alberta. Mario is a bugologist (a friend of bugs) who thinks compost is great and soil microbes are cool.

For more information about Mario and Crop Health Advising & Research, visit www.crophealth.com

Date: 8:30am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 10:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Speaker: Christine Salwitz, Garden Centre Group | WA

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Christine Salwitz, Garden Centre Group | WA

“THE Personal Garden Coach,” Christina Salwitz has been a horticulturist for over 20 years. Her small space and container garden designs are featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens and numerous other media sources. Christina writes for the Fine Foliage blog and contributes design articles and horticultural photography to many other blogs, magazines and books.

Her last book Fine Foliage, co-authored with Karen Chapman, made Amazon’s Top 20 Best Garden Books of 2013 list. The duo recently finished writing their latest book, Gardening with Foliage First, released from Timber Press in early 2017.

Date: 8:30am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 10:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

The Benefits and How To's for Starting a Bio Control Program

Speaker: Paul Koole, Bio Best Canada | Abbotsford, BC

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Paul Koole, Bio Best Canada | Abbotsford, BC

Paul Koole joined the Biobest team in 2010 as a Biological Crop Protection Specialist for growers in Western USA and Canada. Biobest Biological Systems is a Belgian-based, worldwide producer of beneficial insects and bumble bees for pollination. With 30 years of experience co-managing Apko Nurseries Ltd in British Columbia provided him with the knowledge and experience he now uses to help growers. His extensive involvement in the industry allows him to support sustainable growing practices, using beneficial insects for pest management and bumble bees for pollination. In January of 2017 Paul became the North American Technical Team Coordinator, to help build the ever growing team of Biobest technical representatives in both Canada and the US. Paul lives in British Columbia with his wife, and enjoys the outdoors.

Date: 8:30am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 10:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Speaker: Patrick Morello, LandInc. | Toronto, ON

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Patrick Morello, LandInc. | Toronto, ON

Principal/Urban Designer/Planner/Senior Landscape Architect / Design Instructor

As Principal of the LANDinc Toronto office, Patrick has over 25 years of project management and directing experience in urban design, planning, architecture and landscape architectural projects throughout Canada and abroad. He has lead multi-disciplinary projects in Australia, Canada, Egypt, U.A.E., Morocco, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and USA dealing with project types that include: public realm, residential, urban design, open space, parks and recreation, resorts, waterfront development, housing and community, institutions and culture, commercial and industrial development.
An expert in the conceptual and detailed design of landmark public places, urban environments, and regional landscapes, Patrick combines his intuitive design expertise with an understanding of the synergies required by collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. He has been successful with directing consultant teams and bringing in the correct expertise with a synergistic approach as required.

Patrick's focus on design quality and innovation is evident in his portfolio of successful and award-winning design work that includes the first-place design awards for Canada’s Walk of Fame and Poetry Park – both international competitions for key public spaces in downtown Toronto.

Patrick has instructed Graphic and Design Communication Workshops over the past 20 years at the University of Canberra in Australia, Lincoln University in New Zealand, University of Arizona, and at the University of Guelph since 1993. He was a teaching assistant for the great design illustrator, Mike Lin on a number of occasions in Manhattan, Kansas over 20 years ago. The framework for the workshops he has developed with Mansoor has been adapted from the teachings and published works of many great illustrators and design communication experts.

Patrick attained his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph in 1994, and completed a Semester abroad program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California and is a member of the Urban Land Institute, OALA, and ASLA. He started his journey with a Horticultural Landscape Apprentice Course at Humber College, Etobicoke, Ontario, 1988

Date: 11:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 12:30pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Reduce Your Maintenance with Mulch & Ground Cover

Speaker: Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design | Milton, ON

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Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design | Milton, ON

Sean has been gardening professionally since he was sixteen and speaking to horticultural societies for more than 25 years when he graduated from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. Sean ran Fern Ridge Landscaping & Eco-consulting for over 20 years, recently handing it over to his leadership team. He now owns ‘Sean James Consulting & Design’, focusing on teaching, speaking, writing, designing and consulting. He is a 2X past president of the Milton & District Horticultural Society. He designed the award-winning sustainable Anderson Parkette in Oakville and several other landmark gardens. He has written several regular eco-gar¬dening columns as well as articles for Garden Making magazine, Ontario Gardener, Trellis, (the magazine for the Toronto Botanical Garden), as well as in the global digital newsletter for the Perennial Plant Association. He’s also a member of Master Gardeners of Ontario.

He has had the privilege to help put together the national curriculum for Horticultural Apprentices. He’s been featured on the CBC and on two HGTV shows including ‘Green Force’. He’s co-hosted ‘the Garden Show’ with Charlie Dobbin and been on the radio in Halifax and Ottawa with Niki Jabbour. He chairs Landscape Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Committee and sits on the Ontario Invasive Plant Council’s Horticultural Outreach Collaborative, and the Perennial Plant Association’s Environmental Committee.

Sean grew up surrounded by nature, near Crawford Lake in Campbellville, so it was destined that he would choose a career like landscaping.”

Date: 11:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 12:30pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Design Tips & Tricks

Speaker: Patrick Morello, LandInc. | Toronto, ON

See Speaker Bio

Patrick Morello, LandInc. | Toronto, ON

Principal/Urban Designer/Planner/Senior Landscape Architect / Design Instructor

As Principal of the LANDinc Toronto office, Patrick has over 25 years of project management and directing experience in urban design, planning, architecture and landscape architectural projects throughout Canada and abroad. He has lead multi-disciplinary projects in Australia, Canada, Egypt, U.A.E., Morocco, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and USA dealing with project types that include: public realm, residential, urban design, open space, parks and recreation, resorts, waterfront development, housing and community, institutions and culture, commercial and industrial development.
An expert in the conceptual and detailed design of landmark public places, urban environments, and regional landscapes, Patrick combines his intuitive design expertise with an understanding of the synergies required by collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. He has been successful with directing consultant teams and bringing in the correct expertise with a synergistic approach as required.

Patrick's focus on design quality and innovation is evident in his portfolio of successful and award-winning design work that includes the first-place design awards for Canada’s Walk of Fame and Poetry Park – both international competitions for key public spaces in downtown Toronto.

Patrick has instructed Graphic and Design Communication Workshops over the past 20 years at the University of Canberra in Australia, Lincoln University in New Zealand, University of Arizona, and at the University of Guelph since 1993. He was a teaching assistant for the great design illustrator, Mike Lin on a number of occasions in Manhattan, Kansas over 20 years ago. The framework for the workshops he has developed with Mansoor has been adapted from the teachings and published works of many great illustrators and design communication experts.

Patrick attained his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph in 1994, and completed a Semester abroad program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California and is a member of the Urban Land Institute, OALA, and ASLA. He started his journey with a Horticultural Landscape Apprentice Course at Humber College, Etobicoke, Ontario, 1988

Date: 11:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 12:30pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Speaker: Brian Minter, Minter Country Garden Ltd. | Chilliwack, BC

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Brian Minter, Minter Country Garden Ltd. | Chilliwack, BC

Brian Minter began sharing his passion for plants with British Columbia's gardners when, in 1970, he and his wife Faye purchased Country Garden Store, a garden shop that had been part of Chilliwack's community since 1957. In 1977, the Minters discovered a piece of land nestled beneath Mt. Cheam and by 1980, that passion for plants was transformed into 32-acre, world-famous Minter Gardens, which closed in 2013.

Brian, a University of British Columbia graduate (BA) and Master Gardener, quickly became BC's go-to garden expert through his experience at both the garden centre and the display gardens. As such, he has hosted countless radio and television shows, is a frequent gardening columnist and is the author of Canadian Best Seller, 'Brian Minter's New Gardening Guide - Fresh Approaches for Canadian Gardeners'.

A recipient of the 'Order of Canada', an 'Honorary Doctorate of Technology', and many other awards, Brian is well known from his magazine and syndicated newspaper columns and TV and radio programs. Brian is in demand internationally as a speaker by industry and by gardening and tourism groups. Brian has sat on the boards of many community organizations including past Chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley. Just recently, Brian received an Award of Merit from the Perennial Plant Association in recognition of outstnding contributions to the perennial industry. He was also inducted into the Gardening Writers Association's Hall of Fame 'in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional work and spirit promoting gardening and garden communications to the public.'

Brian and Faye are co-owners of Minter Country Garden Store and operate it along with their family.

Date: 11:00am, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 12:30pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Speaker: Richard Hallman, Fruit Tree Magic Garden Consultant | Langley, BC

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Richard Hallman, Fruit Tree Magic Garden Consultant | Langley, BC

Richard grew up on a small commercial orchard in the Okanagan Valley where his fascination with fruit tree culture began. He attended UBC receiving a degree in Plant Sciences and for the following 40 years worked in the private sector and for the BC Ministry of Agriculture as a professional advisor to the commercial fruit tree and agroforestry industries across BC. Currently he is a private consultant providing espalier fruit tree training and problem resolution services to west coast botanical gardens, nurseries, arborists, landscapers, gardeners and orchardists. He is the Fruit Tree and Plant Health Advisor to Art’s Nursery in North Surrey, a Registered Professional Horticulturist, an Espalier Master and currently the UBC Botanical Garden Pomologist in Residence.

Date: 1:30pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 3:00pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Speaker: Mario Lanthier, CropHealth Advising & Research | Kelowna, BC

See Speaker Bio

Mario Lanthier, CropHealth Advising & Research | Kelowna, BC

Mario has been working in the horticulture industry since 1980. His company offers services in Plant Health Care to public agencies and landscape maintenance companies in British Columbia and Alberta. Mario is a bugologist (a friend of bugs) who thinks compost is great and soil microbes are cool.

For more information about Mario and Crop Health Advising & Research, visit www.crophealth.com

Date: 1:30pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

End Date: 3:00pm, Wednesday September 27, 2017

Register for individual sessions with the A-La-Carte option or opt for CanWest’s All-Access Passes starting at $120.

NEW! 1 Day and 2 Day Conference Passes!
1 Day Pass: Pick any 3 general sessions for just $120 (Non-Members: $150)
2 Day Pass: Pick any 6 general sessions for $185 (Non-Members: $225)

Creating A Pollinator Friendly Garden

Speaker: Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design | Milton, ON

See Speaker Bio

Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design | Milton, ON

Sean has been gardening professionally since he was sixteen and speaking to horticultural societies for more than 25 years when he graduated from the Niagara Parks School of Horti¬culture. Sean ran Fern Ridge Landscaping & Eco-consulting for over 20 years, recently handing it over to his leadership team. He now owns ‘Sean James Consulting & Design’, focusing on teaching, speaking, writing, designing and consulting. He is a 2X past president of the Milton & District Horticultural Society. He designed the award-winning sustainable Anderson Par¬kette in Oakville and several other landmark gardens. He has written several regular eco-gar¬dening columns as well as articles for Garden Making magazine, Ontario Gardener, Trellis, (the magazine for the Toronto Botanical Garden), as well as in the global digital newsletter for the Perennial Plant Association. He’s also a member of Master Gardeners of Ontario.

He has had the privilege to help put together the national curriculum for Horticultural Ap-prentices. He’s been featured on the CBC and on two HGTV shows including ‘Green Force’. He’s co-hosted ‘the Garden Show’ with Charlie Dobbin and been on the radio in Halifax and Ottawa with Niki Jabbour. He chairs Landscape Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Committee and sits on the Ontario Invasive Plant Council’s Horticultural Outreach Collaborative, and the Perennial Plant Association’s Environmental Committee.

Sean grew up surrounded by nature, near Crawford Lake in Campbellville, so it was destined that he would choose a career like landscaping.