THE NALPEXPERIENCE


Leaders Forum Prepares Attendees for a Volatile Year


By Jill Odom


INDUSTRY LEADERS PUT THEMSELVES IN A PRIME POSITION TO DISCOVER new opportunities in their businesses by networking with their peers and sitting in forward-thinking education sessions during Leaders Forum, presented by NALP and powered by Aspire, in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, on Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2025.


The first day of sessions included a


presentation from Andrew Bray, senior vice president of government relations and membership for NALP, where he covered the current status of key industry topics like H-2B with the new administration and Congress. Despite some of the recent volatility in the government, Bray highlighted the advocates of the H-2B program within the Trump administration and the opportunity to get the Farm Bill passed this year. Another session explored some of the industry trends shared through an Aspire


survey, areas to expect increases in insur- ance costs and the economic outlook for the next few years. The cost of materials was listed as the biggest risk for this year, according to survey respondents. Jon Gohl, senior ac- count manager with Aspire, recommends companies respond to this by leveraging supplier relationships, renegotiating contracts, implementing group purchasing with peers, and optimizing their procure- ment process. Drew Garcia, vice president of Rancho


Mesa Insurance Services and Landscape Group Leader, recommended landscape companies explore loss-sensitive options, such as group captive insurance, as an alternative risk program. As for the economy, it is expected infla- tion will be accelerated by tariffs and the labor market will not be improving, which is why it is critical to invest in retaining your workforce. If you missed Leaders Forum, you can still stay on top of what’s coming with NALP’s latest Quarterly Economic Forecasts Report, which provides analysis of business cycles to NALP members. Next, a leadership panel comprised of


J.T. Price, CEO of Landscape Workshop, based in Birmingham, Alabama; Josh Willey, president and COO of Green Lawn Fertilizing, based in West Chester, Penn- sylvania; and Chris Lee, president of Earth- Works, based in Lillian, Texas, shared how they have navigated business challenges in


the past and advice for others Lee pointed out that if your people


aren’t messing up, you’re not giving them enough opportunity. “Messing up is crucial,” Lee says. “I’m


not talking about negligence or stupidity. Messing up is one of the greatest growth opportunities.” The following day, futurist Jim Carroll


stretched attendees’ minds by showing them some of the up-and-coming tech- nologies as well as pressed them to consid- er how they can transform their businesses by being open to innovative ideas. Industry peers then had an opportu-


nity to discuss scaling their businesses, growth acquisition strategies, and mistakes they’ve learned from during the hot topic roundtables. Groups shared some of the necessary


roles to have before scaling up and the importance of having SOPs and a reason for why you are growing beyond growth’s sake. They also covered what buyers are looking for in companies they’d like to acquire as well as the importance of con- trolling the narrative when communicating M&As to your team. During the third topic, individuals weren’t afraid to own their past mistakes and acknowledge missteps. The event also featured fundraisers for the NALP Foundation and the NALP-PAC. The Foundation organized a golf tourna- ment that attracted 33 participants and $200,000 was raised for the PAC Fund. Leaders Forum was closed out with a beach party featuring fire dancers. Thank you to our title sponsor, Aspire;


our Elite partners, Cat, Stanley Black & Decker and STIHL, as well as our addition- al partners, Rancho Mesa, Toro, Boss by Integra, Hunter, Vermeer and Wilson360 for a great event. TE


Sa ve the Date!


Next year’s Leaders Forum will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Santa Barbara, California, on Feb. 4-7, 2026.


12 The Edge //March/April 2025


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