Pulling It All Together: Bring on the Community, Unity, & Opportunity!

If you want to see the latest technology and software to grow your business, the TCI EXPO trade-show floor brings it all together under one roof. TCIA staff photos.

If a global pandemic taught us nothing else, it has taught us the importance of community. The essential act of people gathering with a common interest is not only a nicety, as we’ve all learned first-hand it is a necessity. It’s time for tree care workers to gather again for TCI EXPO, this year being held in Charlotte, North Carolina, November 9-12.

Whether you are a CEO trying to grow your business and support your team, a trainer, a climber or a plant-health specialist, TCI EXPO provides a one-stop-shop for you and your business. Come to learn new skills, find out about the latest equipment and technology the industry has to offer, meet and learn from experts and try out new gear and equipment.

Experience TCI EXPO to:

  • Learn how to make your business more profitable;
  • Get tools for training your employees;
  • Discover which tools will help you sustain or grow your business;
  • Learn the latest science in plant health care;
  • Shop for and compare the newest equipment available on the market;
  • Get hands-on training; and
  • Have some fun!

“TCI EXPO is an opportunity to learn from each other, support each other and make new connections,” says Peter Gerstenberger, TCIA’s senior vice president of industry expertise. “We are excited to pull it all together for our community, creating an experience that is educational and lots of fun.”

There is something for everyone, including top-notch training, a new climber’s playground called TCI EXPOClimb, an outdoor Block Party and more gathering spots and events for networking.

Here are some highlights planned for this year’s event.

World’s largest tree care industry trade show

If you want to see the latest technology and software to grow your business, the TCI EXPO trade-show floor brings it all together under one roof, no matter the size of the equipment. Meet representatives from more than 200 companies to find out what equipment, products and services would be an investment worth making for your company. It’s an opportunity to “kick the tires” and meet directly with the manufacturers, distributors and service providers. You can attend the trade show for free!

Community atmosphere

In addition to the Welcome Reception (at the NASCAR Hall of Fame), there will be even more opportunities to meet with friends and network, including a Happy Hour at the TCI EXPOClimb and the outdoor Block Party featuring music, live demonstrations, food trucks and beverages.

Industry education

In addition to the 38-plus live sessions at TCI EXPO ’22, participants who purchase an All-Access Pass will get access to recorded versions of all the sessions, with the ability to earn CEUs until the end of 2022. These sessions will allow you to:

  • Hear from industry experts on topics around business leadership, safety, arboriculture, incidental line clearance and employee training;
  • Check out techniques in climbing and rigging; and
  • Get new ideas for creating a culture of safety in your company.

Some of this year’s featured experts include:

  • Jared Abrojena, Certified Arborist, president/co-founder of Academy-Trained and former International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) world champion
  • Kathy Glassey, director of renewable services, Monster Tree Service
  • Mike Raupp, Ph.D., entomology professor emeritus, University of Maryland
  • Alex Julius, employee development & safety training, The Davey Tree Expert Company
  • John Ball, Ph.D., CTSP, professor of forestry at South Dakota State University
  • Blake Duval, CTSP, supervisor, AspenTree Service
  • Ryan Torcicollo, CTSP, tree care safety and skills trainer, SavATree
  • Peter Nieves-Sosa, president, The Crane Man
  • Larry Abernathy, CTSP, consulting utility arborist
  • Emily Roberts, owner, Kindred Tree Consulting

Pre-conference workshops

Pre-conference full- and half-day workshops provide even more comprehensive training through courses to become Qualified Crew Leaders and Certified Treecare Safety Professionals (CTSPs). Another workshop is being offered for owners, managers and supervisors on Advanced Business Leadership. And a new, free workshop is being offered on how to become a TCIA accredited company.

And for the first time, TCIA is hosting a sponsored pre-conference workshop with Sennebogen! This offsite, optional workshop invites a limited number of TCI EXPO attendees to travel to the Sennebogen headquarters in Charlotte to check out the facility, participate in education and even test drive a 718!

Women in tree care

Last year, our first Women in Tree Care Workshop laid out some of the dynamics, challenges and opportunities for women in the tree care industry. We hope to continue on the success at this years event which, will be held at Bartlett Tree Research Facility and Conference center in Charlotte. This year’s event is sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts, The Davey Tree Expert Company and Rainbow Ecoscience.

Advancing careers in tree care

Introducing students to the tree care industry is essential to growing our industry and increasing its pool of applicants. Student Career Day provides an opportunity for high school, college and vocational students interested in arboriculture, horticulture or forestry to learn about the industry, meet industry professionals and make connections and win some great prizes. To learn more, go to expo.tcia.org/student-career-days.

A playground for climbers

An entire floor at the Charlotte Convention Center will be dedicated to the climbing community with opportunities to try out new gear, participate in education and connect with old friends and new. This innovative new show-floor space, called TCI EXPOClimb, will feature music, gear giveaways, a happy hour and a demo area for climbers who want to geek out on gear and just talk trees. Partners like The Academy and exhibitors such as Shelter Tree are helping TCIA make EXPOClimb an evolutionary new aspect of our popular show. “We’re bringing it all to the table this year,” says Elizabeth Rodewald, innovation administrator to the CEO at RBI Corporation, parent company of Shelter Tree.

You will be able to earn CEUs and expand your knowledge base by watching presentations at the TCI EXPO tree demo. Here, somebody would appear to be pretty excited by this prospect.

Climbing competition

“Included in your registration is not only the TCI EXPO Welcome Reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame (sponsored by Vermeer) on Thursday night, but our first-ever outdoor block party for hardworking tree workers to have some fun. The TCI EXPO Block Party, happening on Friday night, will feature cold beer, food trucks, equipment demos from more than 10 exhibitors and music! Located next to the convention center, we’re making it easy for you to connect, check out more exhibitors (after hours) and enjoy some time outside.

TCI EXPO Registration opens July 13! Make sure to register to secure your spot. For more details and to register, go to expo.tcia.org.

Tracey Miller is TCIA’s marketing content manager.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Click to listen highlighted text!