Hopefully by now you have all heard about the success of PLNA’s new social event program, PLNA MeetUps. Accordingly, PLNA is going to host the first MeetUp of 2017 in conjunction with the Annual Membership & Recognition Event March 1 & 2 at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, PA.

The MeetUp on Wednesday evening begins with hors d’oeurves and drinks at the Hershey Country Club and then we will proceed to a local dining establishment for dinner.

The second annual Membership and Recognition event on Thursday is where we honor and recognize those professionals and companies within the industry who have shown their commitment to PLNA and the industry in various manners. We will be honoring newly awarded Life Members, Professional Award winners, PCH Emeritus Class, along with companies who have shown allegiance to PLNA for over 40 years or more.  Also joining us will be the PLNA Foundation scholarship winners; the future of this industry.

In addition to the camaraderie of this recognition event, PLNA will also be holding the Annual Membership Meeting where PLNA staff and board present what the association has been up to the last year and a sneak peek of future programs.

New to the program is an education element including keynote speakers and round-table discussions. We have three keynote speakers who will inform us of happenings within the industry at the national and state level.

• Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will provide an outlook on the state of agriculture in PA,
• Craig Regelbrugge, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Industry Research will provide an update on AmericanHort’s efforts, and
• Susan Yoder, Executive Director of Seed Your Future, will present the initiatives of this new national organization whose mission is to promote horticulture as a vital, viable and exciting career path for the nation’s youth.

We will conclude the day with round table discussions moderated by business leaders and members on topics that are pressing in your day to day operations.

In addition to honoring outstanding individuals with the PLNA Professional awards, we are also going to recognize new members, long-time members, new PCH’s, and our newest honor, PCH Emeritus recipients.

Come for the MeetUp, come for the Recognition Event or come to both!  This event is all about our members and we want to see you there!

Register online now for this social event that brings the PLNA membership together from all across the state.

Click here to download a paper registration form.

Hotel Information:

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton – Hershey Near the Park

195 Hershey Road, Hummelstown, PA  17036

Phone:  717.566.3369

Mention you are with PA Landscape & Nursery Association for your discount!  Deadline: February 22, 2017

Group Discount: $109 + tax

Green Industry Professional Awards
PLNA offers the following awards to recognize excellence both within the membership and with those outside of the membership who support PLNA’s mission.

Fredrick J. Mummert Distinguished Service Award is PLNA’s highest honor for an individual.  The 2017 recipient is Carl Jacobs of the former Shiloh Nurseries, York, PA.

PLNA Hall of Fame Award is bestowed upon a horticultural industry professional who has made great strides in advancing the horticultural industry in Pennsylvania at both the state and local levels.  The 2017 recipient is Daniel J. Eichenlaub of Eichenlaub, Inc., Pittsburgh.

Green Achiever Award is very much like the Hall of Fame Award, except this award recipient must be relatively “new” to the green industry.  The 2017 recipient is Carrie Wiles of North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg.

Exceptional Leadership Award is PLNA’s award to recognize someone who contributes significantly to a PLNA project or program.  The 2017 recipient is William H. Wells of Water Crest Farms, West Grove.

Member Recognition Awards

PLNA appreciates its members and we want to reflect that through this new program.  The Association is only as good as its members, and we are very fortunate to have companies who have shown their allegiance to PLNA through continued membership.

The new program recognizes members at various years of membership. Recognition is noted at 50 years and 40 years.  Special plaques will be presented for these long-time members.  And for those who have reached 30, 20 and 10 years, their dedication will be recognized through special certificates.  Each of these time frames are milestones and in addition to recognizing the length of the relationship with PLNA, it really is also a celebration of how long these companies have been in business.

We will also be recognizing those companies who joined PLNA over the past year.  We are excited that we continue to add new companies to our member community.

PCH Emeritus Awards

The Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist (PCH) program (originally Pennsylvania Accredited Nurseryman (PAN)) was started in 1972, over 40 years ago.  In recognition of the long time commitment by many early recipients, the PLNA Board of Directors have created an Emeritus designation for this professional certification.  At 40 years of active participation, PCH’s are automatically inducted into the Emeritus Class.  After 25 years of active participation a PCH can elect to join the Emeritus Member status.  For 2017 we have two new members in the Emeritus Class and are honoring 17 PCH’s who have elected the Emeritus Member status.  Join PLNA in honoring these professionals who have maintained this individual certification throughout their career.

Life Members

PLNA recognizes individuals from within the membership whose special contributions to PLNA make them worthy of a lifetime membership.  These individuals must be nominated by an active member in good standing and then reviewed by the Board of Directors.  This year the PLNA Board has awarded four lifetime memberships:

Joanne Kostecky-Petito,formerly of Joanne Kostecky Garden Design, Allentown.

Annual Membership Meeting

In addition to the recognition ceremonies, PLNA will hold its Annual Meeting of the Members.  During this portion of the program, the staff and Board will present what the association has been up to the last year and a sneak peek of future programs.  The membership will also be reviewing some changes in the PLNA bylaws as it relates to members with more than one business location and the retired member status.