JOIN US!
Join leaders from the horticulture industry across Canada and the United States at CNLA's 2025 Leadership Summit!
February 5, 2025 • NORTH CAROLINA, USA
Hosted by Caterpillar at the Edward J Rapp Customer & Training Centre in Clayton, North Carolina, USA
This event will include an industry tour, networking lunch, and presentations from three keynote speakers on leadership topics, with the opportunity to operate Caterpillar's newest equipment. It will conclude with a hosted event by Caterpillar.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
*Speaker and session details are subject to change*
CARLA BAILEY, Solutions by CB
Leading the Charge: The Business Edge of Gender Diversity
Carla Bailey, founder of Solutions by CB, is a seasoned HR strategist specializing in human resources for Canada’s landscaping industry. With over a decade of experience, she helps small to mid-sized businesses streamline HR processes, boost engagement, and drive sustainable growth.
A former HR leader at top firm in London, ON and a pivotal contributor to the GROW Program, Carla blends hands-on industry experience with strategic insights. As a Women In Landscaping co-founder and a Landscape Ontario member, she champions diversity and professional development. Known for her practical approach, Carla equips leaders with actionable HR strategies to foster growth and resilience.
MARCELLO GORTANA, Tennis: Holistic User Experience Design
Helping Not Selling: The New Way to Win Customers
With over a decade of experience in tech and delivery entrepreneurship, Marcello Gortana brings a unique perspective on driving business performance at the nexus of design, technology, and process innovation. As the co-founder of Tennis Inc., a digital transformation company specializing in user experience design, Marcello has always been passionate about aligning design and technology decisions with clear, actionable outcomes.
When not immersed in his work, Marcello is passionate about combining his passion for the outdoors with a drive to create positive change by raising money for youth mental health through initiatives such as, most recently, cycling 800km unsupported through Central Ontario.
JASON BECKER, Caterpillar Inc.
Growth With Green: How Landscapers and their associations changed the game for Caterpillar and its dealers
Jason Becker is the global retail manager for Caterpillar’s Construction Industries, based in Cary, NC. He focuses on enhancing customer engagement and experiences through Caterpillar’s dealer network worldwide. Over his 23-year career at Caterpillar, Jason has held diverse roles in retail, sales, marketing, product support, and dealer development, working across the U.S., Canada, and England.
A marketing graduate of Iowa State University, Jason has long advocated for customer associations, managing partnerships with organizations like the CNLA, NALP, and NCBA. Passionate about supporting the landscaping, agriculture, and construction sectors, Jason served six years on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
Event Packages
SOLD OUT - Full-day package (includes CNLA tour, Leadership Summit and Association dinner at Caterpillar facility) *Transportation included
EARLY-BIRD PRICING: $200.00 for members; $250.00 for non-members
$250.00 for members; $300.00 for non-members
Half-day Package (Afternoon - includes lunch, Leadership Summit, Association dinner at Caterpillar facility)
EARLY-BIRD PRICING: $150.00 for members; $200.00 for non-members
$200.00 for members; $250.00 for non-members
Leadership Summit
EARLY-BIRD PRICING: $50.00 for members; $100.00 for non-members
$100.00 for members; $150.00 for non-members
Association Dinner at Caterpillar
EARLY-BIRD PRICING: $25.00 for members; $50.00 for non-members
$50.00 for members; $100 for non-members
*Register before January 20, 2025 to receive Early-Bird Pricing.
*Canadian and U.S. association members and endorsed supplier partners will receive member pricing on all registrations,
including but not limited to CNLA, Canadian Provincial Landscape Associations, NALP, U.S. State Landscape Associations, and AmericanHort.
Please contact Lauryn Smith at CNLA (lauryn@cnla-acpp.ca) if your association is not listed.
*All rates are in CAD$ and will be charged as such
INDUSTRY TOUR
CNLA will hold an Industry tour during the morning of February 5th, where we will visit the following businesses to learn more about their businesses.
Breakfast - Embassy Suites
8001 Arco Corporate Drive, Cary, N.C. 27617
1. Atticus
940 NW Cary Parkway, Suite 200
American-owned and independently operated, Atticus is driven by grassroots experience and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, helping U.S. retail distribution protect their livelihood. Our expanding portfolio of branded generic pesticides is spread across two market platforms: Agricultural and EcoCore markets
2. JC Arboretum at NC State University
4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
The JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed botanic garden in Raleigh, North Carolina. It has one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants adapted for landscape use in the Southeast United States.
3. Panther Creek Nursery
8636 Mt Pleasant Church Rd, Willow Spring, NC 27592
Panther Creek Nursery is a family-owned wholesale nursery in Willow Springs, North Carolina. They currently grow over 275 varieties of plants on approximately 65 acres, with our main emphasis on trees. Their production is in containers, and approximately 80% of our plants are grown in our pot-n-pot system.
Lunch & Demos - Caterpillar Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Centre
954 NC-42, Clayton, NC 27527
The Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Center in Clayton, NC, is more than simply a first-class training facility. It’s also a hands-on machine demonstration area next to a world-class production facility where Small Wheel Loaders are built. The EJR Customer & Training Center is just a short drive from the Compact Track Loader production facility in Sanford, North Carolina and the Building Construction Products (BCP) Division headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.
INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE BARBECUE
This premier gathering brings together industry leaders, professionals, students and visionaries for a night of connection, inspiration, and recognition.
Caterpillar will host an association dinner at its Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Centre facility on February 5, 2025. The evening will consist of networking opportunities, games, entertainment, and live demos of CAT's latest equipment!
