Jul 11, 2016

Time Sure Flies By Tim Hodson

It’s already Day 3 of Cultivate’16! Time really flies when you are at this event and you are running from one appointment to the next.

The Greater Columbus Convention Center has been hopping since last week when exhibitors started moving in and putting together their impressive trade show booths.

The education sessions started bright and early at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning while exhibiting companies were still setting up. On Sunday attendees got their Morning Jolt during the opening keynote address from Jeremy Kingsley on how “Inspired People Produce Results.”

At the conclusion of Kingsley’s presentation, swarms of attendees made their way from the Battelle Ballroom to the classrooms and the trade show floor to soak up as much education and learn about the latest new products the industry has to offer and check all of the new varieties that are on display.

Last night we had a chance to pay tribute to the Class of 2016 of GPN’s 40 Under 40. More than 30 of this year’s class members were on hand as we recognized their achievements during a special reception at the convention center. It is really amazing when you get a collection of young and bright minds together in one room. The energy, creativity and brainpower is really invigorating.

We’d like to thank this year’s 40 Under 40 sponsors — AmericanHort, BioWorks, Dümmen Orange, Nufarm, Nexus, Proven Winners and Sakata — for all of their support.

We also had an opportunity to recognize Keirstan Kure — the 2016 GPN/Nexus Intern of the Year. Scott Thompson, who heads up the Linx Division of Nexus, and I got to introduce the attendees to Keirstan who recently graduated from Penn State University.

Today’s keynote presentation is on “Leading with Innovation” by Scott Steinberg. He is going to provide the Morning Jolt as he discusses how attendees can future-proof themselves, be innovative and succeed in today’s marketplace.

If you are reading this while you are at Cultivate’16, don’t forget to stop by booth #1501 and say hello to the team from GPN and Lawn & Garden Retailer. We’d love to see you!

— Tim