The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) today announced CENTS 2016, a re-branded and re-invented tradeshow experience for green industry professionals. CENTS 2016 will be held from January 11-13 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
In operation for over 100 years, CENTS is regarded as the Midwest’s Premiere Green Industry Convention. The tradeshow portion of the convention will feature over 400 suppliers offering products and services ranging from nursery stock, hardscaping products, landscaping equipment and more. To create additional value for attendees CENTS re-vamped its educational programming in 2014. Green Industry professionals will be able to create a customized learning experience, choosing from more than 120 courses taught by expert educators and earn continuing education units (CEUs) from industry-leading organizations. Credits will be available from: ASLA, APLD, IA, ISA, TCIA, ODA, OCNT and Landscape Industry Certified. In addition to traditional classroom learning, CENTS 2016 will feature several education venues on the show floor, including the “ONLA Garage”, providing hands-on live technician training.
“As CENTS continued to grow, we noticed a key opportunity to pull the two sides of the show together,” said Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager. “So we’ve made programming changes for 2016, and are excited to create an experience that crosses the aisle between the tradeshow and the educational aspect of the show, as well as take the spirit of CENTS beyond a one-time event.”
According to research firm IBISWorld, the landscaping services industry is a $73 billion market with a 3.4 percent annual growth rate since 2009. Despite challenges over the last half-decade, the research firm forecasts a prosperous next five years due to rapid construction sector recovery and steady disposable income growth. “This is a growth period in our industry, and combining trade and education as a single experience at CENTS will only continue to strengthen the green industry in the Midwest,” said Amy Eldridge, CENTS Manager.
For more information about CENTS, visit www.cents16.com.
