As attendees walk through the entrance of TCI EXPO ’24 at the Baltimore Convention Center this November 7-9, they’ll get the opportunity to meet with 260-plus exhibitors – but that’s just the beginning! They’ll also get to examine every aspect of tree care and explore real-life scenarios that mirror their everyday work.

TCI EXPO wouldn’t be the same without the live tree demos. “I think it’s great to provide a unique and realistic training environment right on the trade-show floor,” says Bob Meade. All TCIA file photos.

The trade show floor will be a dynamic arena offering interactive and immersive sessions. Attendees will learn practical skills, earn CEUs, gain confidence with hands-on training and return to their work sites safer and with more skills.
TCIA is debuting two new experiences that take the trade-show floor to a new level this year – TCI EXPOGrow and TCI EXPO Work Zone.

New! TCI EXPOGrow: Out-of-the-box thinking

Another new experience, TCI EXPOGrow, is designed to be a fresh, unconventional learning platform featuring 30-minute sessions on topics such as human performance, effective leadership skills and even yoga.

“The focus will be on nontraditional, nontechnical topics that didn’t quite fit our more formal education sessions,” says Kyla Cunningham, director of TCIA’s corporate engagement team.

“Tree care professionals have demanding jobs that involve a lot of risk and require physical endurance. We’re excited to bring some out-of-the-box thinking that supports tree care professionals in a more holistic way for broader aspects of their lives,” says Cunningham.

Amy Tetreault, TCIA’s executive vice president and a registered yoga teacher (RYT) 500, will teach a 30-minute session called “Yoga for Arborists.”

“Yoga is good for the body and mind,” Tetreault explains. “Even simple daily stretches can help reduce the risk of injury and improve mobility and strength. Yoga asks you to pay attention to your body’s little tweaks and nuances, so you can more quickly identify potential injuries.”

Doing yoga also helps calm and center the mind, she explains. “In my experience, folks who commit to practicing yoga for even a short time begin to see the benefits, which is exceptionally helpful when it comes to managing stressful or challenging situations on the job site.”

And there is more. Ed Carpenter from North American Training Solutions (NATS), a 16-year TCIA corporate member company based in Douglas, Massachusetts, will explore the “Human Performance of Tree Care Workers.” Hans Tielmann III, CTSP, from Noble Oak Safety & Training, will explore the “Mentality of Tree Care,” and sisters Bear LeVangie and Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll, co-founders of the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop, a first-year TCIA corporate member company based in Lincoln, Vermont, will present a session on the “Power of Womyn.”

TCI EXPO Climb will feature more than 15 ropes rigged from the open-truss ceiling, allowing attendees to try out gear.

TCI EXPO Work Zone

The TCI EXPO Work Zone, presented by Noble Oak Safety & Training, will be an immersive space designed to simulate a real-life job site complete with buildings, fencing, wires and other obstacles that tree care professionals encounter daily. Jordan Tielmann, CTSP and owner of Noble Oak, a five-year TCIA corporate member company based in Flemington, New Jersey, says she is excited to provide this training for attendees.
“We want this to be an intimate environment where people can ask questions, really get involved and understand the thought process behind the different choices they have to make daily.”

Real-life work site

Walking into the Work Zone will feel like you’re on an actual job site. The setup will have a compact loader, an aerial lift and other equipment, and interactive scenarios will be designed to provide a realistic training experience. Attendees will have an opportunity to drive the loaders, perform aerial rescues and work around obstacles in a safe and controlled environment.

“Attendees will observe demonstrations and then have the opportunity to test out equipment and practice the tasks to ensure they are prepared for real-world situations,” Tielmann explains.

Education meets operations

Participants will learn how to set up a work site, assess accidents and perform rescues. Education sessions are designed to complement the practical demonstrations, allowing participants to apply what they’ve learned immediately. They also can earn half a CEU for attending each session. “We want to help people get bitten by the safety bug and understand that safety is the most important part of their work,” Tielmann says.

Live tree demos

TCI EXPO wouldn’t be the same without the live tree demos. Bob Mead, CTSP, QCL, has volunteered to supply the tree for the fourth time. Mead is vice president of Mead Tree and Turf Care Inc., an accredited, 34-year TCIA member company based in Woodbine, Maryland, outside Baltimore.

“I’ll be hauling in a 27-year-old, 45-foot-tall red oak tree from our nursery this year for the live tree demos. I think it’s great to provide a unique and realistic training environment right on the trade-show floor,” he says.

The live tree demos are designed to provide an interactive experience, helping attendees learn and practice essential safety techniques in a controlled yet realistic setting. Mead says he sees this as a way to give back to the industry he loves. “It’s a good feeling to provide the tree for TCI EXPO in Baltimore. If I can help keep one more person safe, that’s a win,” he says.

Jeff Inman Jr., CTSP, is a seasoned professional from Truetimber Arborists Inc., an accredited, 21-year TCIA member company out of Richmond, Virginia, and will be one of the instructors of the live tree demos at TCI EXPO ’24.

“In the current age of arboriculture, we’re blessed and cursed with many options,” says Inman. “My session will discuss when various devices are beneficial and when they complicate tasks unnecessarily. I’ll guide attendees on efficient spending and job-site effectiveness beyond trends seen on social media.”

Inman says he recognizes the value of the live demonstrations. “Watching live demonstrations helps challenging concepts click more easily. I’m excited to share my knowledge and support the next generation of tree care workers.”

TCI EXPOClimb will showcase products from 36 vendors.

TCI EXPOClimb: A playground for climbers

In partnership with The Academy, a five-year TCIA corporate member company based in Walnut Creek, California, TCI EXPO ’24 is excited for the return of TCI EXPOClimb, a high-energy, interactive experience for tree climbers. It’s a great place for attendees to try out the latest gear, from harnesses to ropes to PPE, and will showcase products from 36 vendors.

TCI EXPOClimb will feature more than 15 ropes rigged from the open-truss ceiling, allowing attendees to receive first-hand coaching from industry experts on different climbing techniques. Looking to get some training time with the biggest names in tree care? Didn’t bring your own climbing gear? Not a problem! All PPE and ascent devices – harnesses, head protection, rope systems, mechanicals and eye protection – will be available for free to attendees.

Jack Perry, North American safety sales manager for CAMP USA Inc., the North American division of the Italian gear company and a 10-year TCIA corporate member based in Golden, Colorado, says he is happy to be back exhibiting at TCI EXPOClimb. “For climbers who are up in a tree every day, TCI EXPOClimb is a great place to come and connect and see all the great gear.”

Perry says he thinks tree climbers are part of a tribe. “They are proud people. I love that they’re wearing their boots and bright-colored gear when they come to TCI EXPO,” he explains. “It’s the best climbing show there is.”

Blake Duval, CTSP, arborist skills trainer in Meredith, New Hampshire, for Chippers, a Davey Company – an accredited, 52-year TCIA member company based in Kent, Ohio – will head up a session at the Trainer’s Lab called “Knots for Nuts.” He’ll demonstrate different climbing and rigging knots, as well as how to tie, dress and set each knot properly.

Duval says the Trainer’s Lab provides the opportunity for climbers to “listen, see and do,” which he says really helps with retention. “It’s just a really cool opportunity to get hands-on instruction,” he says. “It’s so helpful when people actually have their hands on ropes and are able to follow along.”

Conclusion

Duval shares that the industry has changed a lot since he’s been a part of it. “Helping climbers learn new techniques and test out new gear and new equipment makes their job safer and easier,” he says.

“Attending TCI EXPO is also a great way to build connections with fellow arborists and other people from different parts of the country doing the same trade and craft,” Duval says. “We can learn from each other.”

For the full schedule of all the show-floor activities scheduled for TCI EXPO ’24, visit www.expo.tcia.org.

Tracey Miller is TCIA’s marketing content manager based at TCIA’s headquarters in Manchester, New Hampshire.