Jan 23, 2020

Hoffman Nursery expands management team Michael Betterly has joined Hoffman as head of sales and marketing, and David Hoffman has been promoted to senior director of sales and operations. To help their customers build and maintain successful grass programs, Hoffman Nursery has expanded its management team. Michael Betterly, an experienced horticultural and consumer products executive, joins the nursery as Head of Sales and Marketing. David Hoffman, who has had a range of responsibilities at the nursery, moves up to Senior Director of Sales and Operations. Michael (Mike) Betterly brings experience in sales, branding, finance and corporate strategy. He earned a B.S. in marketing and international business from Penn State University and an MBA from SDA Bocconi, an internationally ranked program in Milan, Italy. He spent eight years as vice president of marketing and sales with The Organic Mechanics Soil Co. in the Philadelphia area. While there, he developed multiple successful marketing programs, managed a team of independent sales representatives, improved the product line and increased customer satisfaction. After spending time on the West Coast honing his business development skills, he moved back East to be closer to family. He joined Hoffman Nursery on Dec. 30, 2019. Betterly will oversee the sales and marketing teams and he will concentrate on strategic planning and program development. His addition will give the nursery’s customers more dedicated sales and marketing expertise to help grow their businesses. Jessica Hall, the nursery’s customer experience coordinator, and sales and customer service assistants Sara Bell, Stephen Gillis and Mandy Cuskelly will provide customer service, expert advice and timely communication. Betterly’s marketing expertise complements the nursery’s marketing team, which includes Marketing Director Shannon Currey, and Marketing Assistant Alex Stanley-Stretch. David Hoffman has developed a broad range of nursery expertise. He worked part time at the nursery through high school and earned a degree in horticultural science from North Carolina State University. Afterward, he spent two years working at perennial plant nurseries in Europe. He returned to Hoffman Nursery in 2015, serving as project manager and chief customer experience officer. At the start of 2020, Hoffman moved into the role of senior director of sales and operations. He will cover day-to-day decisions and facilitate communications among all sectors of the nursery. His leadership will allow owners Jill and John Hoffman more time to focus on strategy and the broader vision of the nursery they started in 1986. For more information, visit http://hoffmannursery.com/ The 2020 Spring Meeting of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) will be March 1-4, in the National Hotel, Miami, Florida. The focus will be on growing critical trading opportunities in America. A key event will be the AIPH Conference on Tuesday, March 3, which is titled: ‘Growing the industry.’ The following speakers will be presenting: Anna Ball, CEO of Ball Horticultural Company Ken Fisher, CEO of AmericanHort Kate Penn, CEO of the Society of American Florists (SAF) Christine Boldt, executive vice president of the Association of Floral Importers of Florida (AFIF) Dr. Hayk Khachitryan, associate professor in food and resource economics, University of Florida Dr. Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in international floriculture, Texas A&M University All speakers’ biographies and presentation topic details are available to view online here . The full-day conference will focus on ornamental horticulture in America and consumer behavior. There will be discussions stemming from industry research and how to positively translate the findings to a community level. The program includes presentations and panel discussions from growers and traders about the challenges and opportunities for ornamental horticulture producers and importers to the USA. AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe, said, “Now is the time for this industry to work together and grow. This meeting will shape up strategies and solutions for its future.” The four-day Spring Meeting will also include the AIPH Expo conference (Monday, March 2) and professional visits to Miami International Airport, Costa Farms (including Season Premier event) and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens on Wednesday, March 4. The AIPH Expo Conference will consist of presentations from the organizers of AIPH approved events. Progress reports will concentrate on four forthcoming A1 category international expos: Expo 2021 Doha (Qatar), Expo 2022 Floriade Almere (the Netherlands), Expo Horticultural Łódź 2024 (Poland) and World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 (Japan). There will also be progress reports concerning AIPH approved B, C and D category events. There will be a keynote from Dr. Tim Beatley of the University of Virginia. He will be discussing the development of biophilic cities. Following the keynote, AIPH members will report on green city activities in their respective countries. The AIPH Spring Meeting program is open to anyone with a relevant interest or involvement in ornamental horticulture. AIPH events provide a welcoming and invaluable opportunity for knowledge-sharing, idea-generation and networking for the horticulture industry worldwide. For program details and to book, visit: www.aiph.org . Prices cost $1,485 per person or $850 for the AIPH Conference only (including dinner in the evening). The location for the Spring Meeting is in the National Hotel, which is just a short walk from Miami Beach. The deadline to secure accommodation is Friday, Jan. 24. The deadline to book your place at the Spring Meeting 2020 is Friday, Feb. 21. For more details, visit http://aiph.org/aiph-events/aiph_miami2020/   According to a press release, a new book entitled “Shrubs & Hedges: Discover, Grow and Care for the World’s Most Popular Plants” will guide readers in choosing, planting and caring for shrubs. Shrubs fill a lot of space in our landscape but despite their ubiquity, selecting and maintaining shrubs may remain a mystery to many. Shrubs are all-too-often inappropriately pruned into "meatball” shapes, or alternatively, left to become an overgrown tangle of branches. But as readers may discover, when cared for properly, these workhorse plants have much to offer. They mask foundations, delineate property lines, increase privacy, stabilize soils, provide food for wildlife and add beauty and interest to the landscape. “Shrubs & Hedges” eliminates the ambiguities of shrub selection and care by offering: Advice on how to pick the best shrubs for your growing conditions Plant profiles of both dependable classic shrubs and new rising stars Step-by-step propagation instructions for making more shrubs — for free! Shrub identification tips The best shrubs for pollinators and other wildlife Pruning illustrations and tips to maximize shrub performance and health Tips for designing with shrubs Author Eva Monheim draws on her decades of experience in horticulture education (she’s the co-founder of Verdant Earth Educators (VEE)) and landscaping, to help anyone to grow beautiful, healthy shrubs. BioSafe Systems has announced Michael Cunningham as the company’s new accounting manager. Aside from overseeing the accounting department, Michael will be maintaining financial systems and procedures to ensure that data stays organized and updated. Prior to his new position at BioSafe Systems, Michael worked as a senior accountant and controller for local companies in East Hartford, Connecticut. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from central Connecticut State University. “We just added a new finance team member to BioSafe Systems, which is always great news” says Rob Larose, president and CEO of BioSafe Systems. “Michael’s passion and experience will make him an essential part of the team.” For more information, contact the company at 888-273-3088 or visit www.biosafesystems.com