Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa looks forward to participating in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) LANDSCAPES event each year. From veteran industry icons to rookie start-ups, this event has information for everyone.

The 4-day schedule was packed as Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, and myself championed two different Breakfast with Champions' table topics. We discussed the top five free safety phone applications for landscape professionals.

As much as we are supposed to lead the discussion at the tables I always end up coming away learning more from the group. We discussed how equipment continues to evolve, and we witness the result this has on productivity, yet not often do companies explore how they can leverage today’s tech to become a safer company. From communication to training, and overall awareness, technology is ready to make a difference in the landscape industry.

Alyssa Burley, Rancho Mesa’s Media Communications Manager, had re-arranged a hotel conference room into our mobile studio, “StudioOne.” Alyssa and I were able to interview six different landscape companies from across the country. In the next few months, NALP and Rancho Mesa will be releasing the final version of these safety interviews to help the industry share ideas and continue to build upon establishing a safe work environment.

I was also able to interview Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Margaret Hartmann and Loss Control Manager Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) to provide insurance carrier perspective in regards to the landscape industry. In the months to come, you will hear how BHHC takes a proactive approach to claims management and injury prevention.

At the Kentucky Expo Center, Dave and I led a hour and fifteen-minute presentation on “the Four Secrets to Making Your Safety Program Improve Your Bottom Line,” which was full of audience interaction.

On the last night, I was selected to participate in the 50th Annual Awards of Excellence as the presenter for the safety portion of the program. I had the pleasure of announcing the winners of the Safety Awards and then join Rancho Mesa client Brett and Theresa Brennan of Urban Habitat, who collected a Gold Award for their Coachella Etherea Art Park Project.

Friday morning wrapped up the event and the team headed back to San Diego, CA. LANDSCAPES is held every October in Louisville, Kentucky. We hope you mark your calendar to join us, next year on October 20-23, 2020, for another incredible event!