2025 Northwest Landscape Industry Conference, Trade Show & Awards Banquet

WALP Conference 2025: Driving Efficiency in the Field

Northwest Landscape Industry Conference, Trade Show & Awards Banquet

February 6 – 8, 2025 at Hotel Indigo in Everett, WA

Conference Title Sponsor – TURF STAR WESTERN

The 2025 Northwest Landscape Industry Conference will be held from February 6 – 8, 2025 at the Hotel Indigo Everett. It will be three days of invaluable learning and connecting with fellow landscape professionals and industry leaders to exchange business resources, strategies, and solutions.

Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Ermelindo Escobedo

Ermelindo Escobedo, our 2025 keynote speaker, brings over 30 years of experience in human

resources, public speaking, and employment law. Growing up in the Yakima Valley and working

in agriculture, Mr. Escobedo earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University

and a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College. He now runs his

consultancy, Work Strategies, where he focuses on leadership development and improving

workplace culture. Fluent in Spanish, he has a deep understanding of the nuances and

challenges in managing a multicultural workforce.

Conference Registation

WALP Members – $295 per person

Non-Members – $600 per person

Award Banquet

WALP Members – $100 per person

Non-Members – $200 per person

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New this year, we will be offering a 1 – Day First Aid & CPR training seminar on Thursday, February 6, 2025 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This will be a seperate ticketed event, not included with the conference registration.

There will be two four-hour sessions in both English and Spanish with a maximum of 24 per classroom.

Washington Industrial Safety and Health rule WAC 296-800 and WAC 296-155
(Safety Standards for Construction Work) require that all employees be provided
with quick and effective first-aid attention in the event of an on the job injury.
The presence of personnel who have been adequately trained in first-aid
procedures at or near those places where employees are working is required by
the following:
 Whenever there are two or more employees working at any worksite, a
person or persons holding a valid first-aid certificate must be available.
 All crew leaders, supervisors or persons in direct charge of one or more
employees must have a valid first-aid certificate.

7:00 AM – Check in and Registration

8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

English – First Aid & CPR (Morning) – Limited to 24 people

Spanish – First Aid & CPR (Morning) – Limited to 24 people

Lunch for all attendees

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

English – First Air & CPR (Afternoon) – Limited to 24 people

Spanish – First Aid & CPR (Afternoon) – Limited to 24 people

WALP Members – 1 – Day First Aid & CPR Seminar – $150 per person

Non-Members – 1 – Day First Aid & CPR Seminar – $300 per person

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February 7, 2024 – CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Professional Track
“Leadership and Company Culture” with Ermelindo Escobedo

Ermelindo Escobedo, our 2025 keynote speaker, brings over 30 years of experience in
human resources, public speaking, and employment law. After growing up in the Yakima Valley and working in agriculture, Mr. Escobedo earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College. He now runs his consultancy, Work Strategies, where he focuses on leadership development and improving workplace culture. Fluent in Spanish, he has a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges in managing a multicultural workforce.

Company Culture

Course Description: This class focuses on how to improve a company’s culture. People want to
work at a company that supports its employees and has a positive atmosphere. Learn how to
avoid problems and conflicts by setting clear expectations, and getting “buy-in” from your
employees.

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Technical Track
“Drainage with Certification” with Thomas Emmett / NDS

Thomas Emmett grew up in Bellingham in Northwest Washington, attended Washington State University. He has been a District Sales Manager for NDS, a leading manufacturer of stormwater management solutions covering, for over 2 years. He covers Washington, Alaska, and Western Canada. He have ten years of experience working for manufacturers, mostly in the building products industry and now enjoy working in the green industry and helping people conserve and protect water. His hobbies spending time outdoors bicycling, reading, and working on my garden.

Attendees will learn the background and basic principles of landscape drainage. They will learn problem-solving techniques & discover solutions to common drainage issues and best practices for implementation. Discussion will include exploring how drainage projects can unlock new income streams for your business. This training provides the tools you need to become a trusted drainage expert, and with a little follow up and additional online training a certification will be available through NDS, including business listing on ndspro.com’s find a contractor tool.

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Environmental Track
“CLIMATE CHANGE & OUR SOIL : Kiss The Ground” – A film by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Tickell

Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis.

Kiss the Ground reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle.

Discussion and Q&A to follow screening.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Morning Break with Exhibitors

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Professional Track

“Coaching and Accountability” with Ermelindo Escobedo

Ermelindo Escobedo, our 2025 keynote speaker, brings over 30 years of experience in human resources, public speaking, and employment law. After growing up in the Yakima Valley and working in agriculture, Mr. Escobedo earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College. He now runs his consultancy, Work Strategies, where he focuses on leadership development and improving workplace culture. Fluent in Spanish, he has a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges in managing a multicultural workforce.

Leadership & Coaching and Accountability

These class focuses on leadership skills and how they contribute to a company’s culture. Leaders have the opportunity to inspire those around them. In today’s work environment, managers get work done through their employees, so it is critical to grow in skills that motivate, develop, and coach those you lead to perform at their optimal level.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Technical Track

“Vehicle and Equipment / Trailer Safety” with WSP Officer Ryan Hernandez

CVEO 3 Ryan Hernandez has worked in commercial vehicle enforcement for over 16 years and has conducted thousands of commercial vehicle inspections. He currently supervises officers that cover Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. Ryan is a subject matter expert and is utilized by many as a resource due to his extensive knowledge in this field of work. His efforts are to work toward making the state’s roadways the safest in the nation. Through education and enforcement, the Washington State Patrol aims to ensure compliance with commercial motor vehicle regulations in order to protect resources, prevent collisions, and save lives.

WSP Officer Ryan Hernandez will be providing information and training of commercial vehicle safety requirements and inspections. This will include in-class instruction, as well as an onsite inspection of a landscape truck, and trailer with equipment. Items covered will include GVWR limits, proper securing of equipment and loads, and other driving safety topics. With the cost of vehicle insurance this is a smart investment in not only ensuring safety, but also saving money!

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Environmental Track

“Climate Change & the Landscape Industry:” with Jessi Bloom (NW Bloom)

Jessi Bloom is a best-selling author, award-winning ecological landscape designer, and speaker. She is the owner of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Services, based near Seattle, which is known as an innovator and leader in the field of permaculture, sustainable landscape design, construction and land management. Her work has been recognized by government agencies and industry organizations, and has made headlines in national media. She lives in Woodinville with her three kids on their permaculture farm, which is full of functional gardens and rescue animals.

The session will cover how climate change, along with warmer, drier weather in our region and growing environmental awareness, has influenced our approach to landscape maintenance, installation, and irrigation “best practices.” Jessi will highlight key points that align with the Eco-Pro Certification offered by WSNLA. Additionally, she will share practical tips for communicating these changes and challenges in a positive way with colleagues and clients, fostering greater understanding and acceptance along with resources to dive deeper into these topics as professionals in the green industry.

LUNCH WITH EXHIBITORS AT TRADE SHOW

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Professional Track

“Team Building” with Niwar Nasim

Niwar Nasim owns and operates one of the most successful and fastest growing landscape companies in the country, located right here in the Puget Sound. Nasim Landscape made the prestigious “Inc. Magazine 5000” list of the fastest-growing private companies in America in 2003 and was ranked No. 2566 in 2024. Niwar recently spoke at the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference in Atlanta Georgia.

In this session, Niwar will discuss employee issues and how he was able to maximize his productivity by putting the right people in the right position.

2:00 PM – 3:00PM – Technical Track with Ermelindo Escobedo

“Fundamental Supervision / Communication and Problem Solving”

Ermelindo Escobedo, our 2025 keynote speaker, brings over 30 years of experience in human resources, public speaking, and employment law. After growing up in the Yakima Valley and working in agriculture, Mr. Escobedo earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College. He now runs his consultancy, Work Strategies, where he focuses on leadership development and improving workplace culture. Fluent in Spanish, he has a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges in managing a multicultural workforce.

Fundamental Supervision & Communication:

This class focuses on supervision & communication skills for production/field Team Leads. This class will improve cohesion and productivity by empowering your employees with tools to effectively and positively communicate and manage teams and projects.

2:00 PM – 3:00PM – Environmental Track with Dave Hunter (Crown Bees)

Our Northwest Native Pollinators:

Dave Hunter is the founder/owner of Crown Bees, an innovative solitary bee company headquartered in Woodinville, WA. With more than two decades of hands-on experience with native bees, Dave has been instrumental in shaping the commercial Mason bee industry. Dave has spearheaded initiatives that revolutionize wild beekeeping practices. He established the commercial Orchard Bee Association (OBA), laying the groundwork for ethical beekeeping standards while optimizing efficiency for farmers and gardeners alike. Through collaborative efforts with researchers, Dave ensures that Crown Bees remains at the forefront of sustainable beekeeping methods.

This class teaches the importance of our Native pollinators, and how as landscape professionals, we can understand their importance and look to support them through our industry. Attendees will learn basics on various life cycles, necessary habitat, and more. We will also learn a new perspective in how to “think like a bee”. By understanding this unique way of thinking, we’re able to increase the survival of native pollinators in our actions. An added perk is that we will also learn how easy it is to raise Mason Bees!

3:00 PM – 3:30PM – AFTERNOON BREAK

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Professional Track with Niwar Nasim

“Technology”

In this session Niwar will share some of the challenges he faced while growing his company, and how he used technology to overcome them.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Technical Track with Ermelindo Escobedo

“Leadership and Accountability for Crew Leaders”

Ermelindo Escobedo, our 2025 keynote speaker, brings over 30 years of experience in human resources, public speaking, and employment law. After growing up in the Yakima Valley and working in agriculture, Mr. Escobedo earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College. He now runs his consultancy, Work Strategies, where he focuses on leadership development and improving workplace culture. Fluent in Spanish, he has a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges in managing a multicultural workforce.

Leadership & Accountability for Crew Leads:

This class focuses on leadership and accountability for production/field Team Leads. This class will help your teams to work together and avoid conflict by establishing a sense of responsibility and by communicating clear expectations.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Environmental Track with Bill Peregrine

Supercharged Soil Amendments for Robust & Healthy Plants

Bill Peregrine is an inspiration to anyone looking to further the understanding and relationship with Nature. A designer, builder, and care professional of organic and sustainable landscapes, Bill has a passion for understanding Nature’s natural systems and replicating those systems in the built landscape. With more than 40 years of horticultural experience, Bill has heard the growing desire for people to reconnect with Nature and has used his skills to give people and Nature what they need to thrive. His company, Earthdance Organics LLC, does real environmental good by removing the need for chemicals and pesticides and restoring the health of properties the way Nature intended it to be.

This course will cover soil amendments and their benefits and uses, including: Lime, Bio-Char, Worm Castings, Fertilizers, Compost, and others. Attendees will learn when and how to apply these products to improve soils, which will in turn help to sequester carbon, mitigate storm runoff, and improve overall plant health.