MAHTS and Our Experience

After a few fun days in Atlantic City, Cedar Run Landscapes thought it would be great to share our experiences. Conferences like E. P. Henry’s MAHTS (Mid Atlantic Hardscaping Trade Show) are incredibly valuable to the landscaping business because these opportunities give companies like ours the chance to learn from the leading experts in the industry.

And it just so happens Cedar Run Landscapes President, Alden Zove, is one of those leading experts. Here he explains his experience at the conference as a lecturer and attendee.

“I had been invited by E.P. Henry to speak at MAHTS on two topics, the integration of our rainwater harvest and re-use systems with their new Coventry Eco Cobble, a permeable paving solution, and on the combination of water features with hardscape installations. I offered each seminar twice a day during the three-day show.

I was excited to see the number of attendees that where interested in what I had to present, with over 50 persons in attendance at each lecture. My Rainwater Harvesting presentation included a short video of our most recent addition to the display features at our office; here is a link to that video.  I discussed the many eco-sensitive techniques that we incorporate in our designs, and appreciated the interest that was shown by the audience in wanting to know how they could incorporate these techniques in their own projects.

My discussion on water features and hardscaping was also very well received. There were many comments on how the addition of water added excitement to our hardscape projects by providing an opportunity to engage the senses in the outdoor rooms we created. The educational aspect of water features was seen as a way to have the attendees customers get their children out of doors and away from the computer and television and become involved with the natural world that awaits them outside.

Some of my most memorable moments from the show where when I was on the trade show floor talking to the vendors that were displaying the new products they were offering. I was heartened to see how most of them were adopting the concepts of the green movement by offering more energy efficient equipment, more eco sensitive materials, and the inclusion of products designed to lower the carbon footprint of their customers. I see that the landscape industry is getting well aligned with the need to incorporate the tenants of the Triple Bottom Line. The concept of taking into account the effects of their business decisions on People, Planet and Profits, is beginning to make sense to these companies, and they are adjusting their mindset to include the TBL in their business plans.”

Here is what Bill, Cedar Run Landscapes Project Manager, had to say:

“I had an enjoyable and informative time at the MAHTS show this year.  On display were EP Henry’s brand new products along with new tools available to the hardscaping industry.  There were also educational seminars, Curtis, one of our supervisors, and I both attended the EP Henry Authorized Permeable Pavement Installer class where we were instructed in the proper methods and standards for building pervious pavement systems.  Attending off season trade shows helps all of us at Cedar Run learn about new concepts and stay current with continually changing building codes. “

The one thing that stands out the most at these conferences is the diversity of seminar topics to choice from. As the Landscape designer for Cedar Run Landscapes I had a difficult time choosing which seminars to attend. After careful thought I decided on Contract Writing, Professionalism in the Design Build, Leed in Hardscaping, and Pro Landscapes Fundamentals Training seminars.  My favorite out of these was Professionalism in the Design Build seminar. Joe Palimeno speaking for Vander Kooi & Associates touched on a variety of topics including how to understand the clients needs, develop presentations, and present proposals in a professional manor that will benefit both the company and the client.

All of us at Cedar Run Landscapes had a wonderful time at the event and look forward to the up coming season so we can begin applying all of the wonderful information we learned from this experience.

Rain Guy Hits the Road

Showing the rainwater harvesting system to participants at the Beth Or Eco-Expo

I’ve had the opportunity to take the “Rain Guy” show on the road over the past two months – educating at different trade shows, schools, and expos. In January, I spoke at Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture about the rainwater harvesting systems that Cedar Run Landscapes has been utilizing for our company, and building for our customers. At the end of the month, I attended the Eco-Expo at the Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen as a rainwater harvesting exhibitor. It was a great event that brought together  other “green building” professionals and retailers, nonprofit advocacy groups, a native plant nursery, etc.

EP Henry invited me to speak at several conferences in January and February on the integration of our rainwater harvesting systems with permeable paver patios and rain gardens. Those stops included their Mid-Atlantic hard-scaping trade show in Virginia, as well as conferences in Lancaster and Atlantic City.

In addition to speaking regionally about rainwater harvesting, I’ve recently joined the Delaware Valley Green Building Council, a local division of the U.S. Green Building Council, which developed the LEED rating system for certification of green buildings. I’m hoping to broaden my network of contacts that are on the forefront of sustainable design and construction efforts in the Philadelphia area.

 It’s been great to be able to share my experience and expertise with interested audiences, and to meet colleagues who are participating in these important environmental measures! Staying in the loop is important in this field that is constantly growing. Last month I sent out my first issue of the Cedar Run Landscapes e-newsletter; a new method of keeping in contact with my customers, colleagues, and friends. If you’re interested in keeping up to date with Cedar Run Landscapes’ news, stories, and garden advice, email me at:

Info@CedarRunLandscapes.com

and I’ll add you to our email list!