For many attendees, TCI EXPO is not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for tree care professionals, a place to meet new friends and reunite with old ones. The industry is growing and changing rapidly, and many companies bring their whole teams each year. They take advantage of all the immersive collaboration, education and training, as well as the opportunity to learn about all the new equipment they will be working with in the years to come.

In this article, three attendees share their whys – the reasons they keep coming back to TCI EXPO – and the impact EXPO has had on them and other attendees and exhibitors.

TCI EXPO comes full circle

It was 21 years ago when Chris Ahlum and his girlfriend made the seven-hour road trip from Ohio State University (OSU) to Baltimore so he could attend Student Career Day (SCD) at TCI EXPO ’03. He had been climbing since high school and was excited to finally be eligible to compete. So he grabbed his gear and headed east.

“I grew up in the industry. My father owned our tree care business. I got a chance to walk around TCI EXPO with my dad way back in the day. I learned how to climb in high school and was in the School of Landscape & Horticulture at OSU, so I was excited to finally be able to compete,” says Ahlum.

Ahlum won the SCD climbing competition that year and took home the coveted prize, a Stihl MS 200 35.2cc chain saw. He also won over the girl who eventually became his wife. The only loss that year was when OSU lost the football game to Purdue University, which Chris watched during EXPO at a local sports bar with some other students from Purdue. But he gained some lifelong friends that day who continue to be part of his tree care community.

Baltimore is Ahlum’s favorite venue for TCI EXPO. “I love it in Baltimore. It’s my favorite location. I love the inner harbor. Maybe it’s nostalgia from being there years ago,” he says.

Shifting gears

While attending his first TCI EXPO was about the competition, his priorities changed over the years. Early on, he focused on education. He attended as many sessions as possible to take it all in and earn continuing education units (CEUs). As his career progressed, he focused more on checking out the equipment and meeting with vendors.

“Early on, I wanted to learn as much as I could. As my business evolved, I focused on meeting with vendors to learn about the trucks and equipment that could support my company and my crew,” he explains. “Now, as the owner, my focus is on nurturing relationships. I go to meet friends and talk to students, vendors and other tree care owners,” he says.

Paying it forward

Ahlum is now president of the family company, Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation, an accredited, 45-year TCIA member company based in Columbus, Ohio. And he does his best to bring along to TCI EXPO as many of his 54 team members as he can. He wants them to soak up all the education, learn about new equipment and cultivate relationships, just like he did over the years. “I know the benefit of attending TCI EXPO and want my team to be able to take advantage of all it has to offer,” he says.

Ahlum is passionate about bringing students into the industry and getting them engaged early on. Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation has partnered with SCD for many years, and will be partnering again this year in Baltimore. Last year, his company sponsored a knot-tying competition for the students.
“If you’re starting out, it’s a great event to go to and learn. I strongly recommend it to people. From business to education to vendors, it’s a great one-stop shop for anyone in the industry,” he shares.

It’s the whole experience

One of the first people to register for an All-Access Pass for TCI EXPO ’24 was Randall Finn, CTSP, vice president of Antietam Tree Service Inc. Baltimore is an easy commute for Finn since Antietam Tree Service, an accredited, 53-year TCIA member company, is based in Hagerstown, Maryland. Located only 70 miles away from Baltimore, that proximity allows more of his team to attend.

“I love going to TCI EXPO to catch up with friends, take advantage of trade-show deals and get advice and input from the manufacturers. I go for the whole experience,” Finn says. “We also like to thank our team for all their hard work throughout the year by bringing them to TCI EXPO. It’s a great opportunity to expose them to all the training and technology and to build connections in the industry.”

Antietam Tree Service provides urban-forestry services, including tree and shrub removal, fertilization and landscaping, in northeast Maryland, southern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

While Baltimore is convenient for Finn, he’s also loved some of the other venues. His favorite TCI EXPO was in Pittsburgh in 2010. One of his favorite memories is the welcome reception at Heinz Field sponsored by Vermeer. He also loved all the great networking opportunities, including an after-hour Italian dinner with industry friends that provided a beautiful overlook of the Pittsburgh skyline at night.

Safety has always been a priority for Finn and his father, Roger, president of Antietam Tree Service, who started the business in 1967. They work hard to build a culture of safety at the company, he says, and they appreciate everything TCI EXPO has to offer their employees.

Record-breaking sales

TCI EXPO was the perfect place for Jail Brake to promote a product that may signal the next generation of lowering devices for arborists. In its third year as an exhibitor at TCI EXPO ’23 in St. Louis, the company sold the most products they have ever sold over a three-day period since starting the business.  

“We consider TCI EXPO as an essential investment to drive sales,” says Jack Martin, co-founder of Jail Brake.  “TCI EXPO is not overly expensive, and it gets us a ton of attention. We’re happy to support an association that brings together professionals to share knowledge and skillsets.”

He recognizes TCIA as the go-to association within the tree care arena and is grateful for the invaluable support his company received before, during and after TCI EXPO. “The staff were receptive to our needs and concerns throughout the event. We look forward to the next one,” he says.

Jail Brake, based in Toledo, Ohio, was the brainchild of arborist Seth Ramsdell, who was sick of being up in a tree, frozen and exhausted, watching his rope handlers undo rope twists caused by barrel-type lowering devices all day long. He knew there had to be a better way. He came up with the idea for Jail Brake, and Martin helped bring it to life. It’s a perfect marriage that helps to solve a major challenge for tree climbers, according to Martin. Martin handles all the manufacturing and distributor relationships, and Ramsdell handles all the product testing and sales. 

“Seth runs a small, family-operated tree service out of Columbus, Ohio. He has three small children, so exhibiting at TCI EXPO is no easy task for him and his wife,” Martin explains. “Jail Brake is not a big company. If you call the number on our business cards, our back pockets will ring.

“We take pride in returning to these shows, and for how far we have come,” he notes. “We are thankful for all the support from family, friends and fellow tree care workers. TCIA has been able to expose us to a broader community. We wouldn’t be able to do it on our own.”

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