This year’s Symposium education sessions bring together industry experts and snow and ice professionals
for a mix of workshops, concurrent sessions and mini-learning opportunities for multiple roles.
Our popular facility tour is back! The team at DJ's Landscape Management will welcome attendees to their New Holland facility for sessions on technology, recruiting/retention, training, material tracking and more!
Direct competitors are ineligible to attend.
Select either AM (8:30am-1:00pm) or PM (10:30am-3:00pm) session. Lunch and transportation are included; space is limited.
*Additional fees apply (choice of one pre-conference event is included with SIMA+ Pass)
In this highly interactive session, participants will learn elite strategies, approaches and techniques to help their organizations not only sell more in less time at higher profits but also how to manage their people to higher motivation. You will walk away with techniques to negotiate stronger; learn how to use email and texting to your advantage; create a strong and compelling message about your company that will lead to winning more businessl and using KPIs to measure and run effective sales meetings.
Time: 10:30am - 3:30pm
Lunch and workshop materials are included.
*Additional fees apply (choice of one pre-conference event is included with SIMA+ Pass)
Seb's profound and interactive keynote will inspire and transform your team, creating an environment for success.
Through his inspiring personal journey and practical framework, he'll help your team unlock limitless possibility, adapt to change with agility, and bravely create by reimagining what's possible.
His keynote will empower your team to move from disengagement and stagnation to purpose-driven collaboration and peak performance.
Sponsored by: Caterpillar, Inc.
Talent shortages are impacting every industry and competition is fierce. With an entire generation on the precipice of retirement, and not enough workers ready to replace them, the situation is only going to get fiercer. More than ever, we need to do whatever we can to attract and retain top talent.
Like snowflakes, it comes down to uniqueness. We need to talk about the larger workplace experience and the difference our organizations are making. Attendees will not only learn how to create their own compelling stories to attract the right talent, but they’ll also leave with a talent attraction framework they can continue to refine as the world of work keeps evolving.
Kellan Stevenson, Paradigm Services
This session aims to provide professionals in the snow removal industry with the tools, strategies, and techniques needed to build and lead high-performance teams in fast-paced, challenging environments. Focused on improving coordination, communication, and operational efficiency, it’s perfect for managers, team leaders, and frontline workers seeking to enhance team dynamics, safety protocols, and ensure timely snow removal services.
Vanessa McQuade, Intrigue Media
Take a deep dive into common marketing pitfalls specific to the snow removal and property maintenance industry that hinder business growth and efficiency. Through industry-relevant examples, case studies and data, you’ll receive actionable advice on making immediate minor adjustments and planning significant long-term strategies to improve ROI and expand operations.
Joe Kiedinger, Dignify
Effective meetings are key to keep good communication flowing. Meetings without clear expectations, agendas and takeaways are not helpful and burn through company resources through time-sucking inefficiencies. However, with the right cadence, the right agendas and the proper expectations, effective meetings drive progress forward. Joe will provide the simple but key tips to make your meetings more productive.
Kent Peddie, CSP, Precision Snow Removal
The snow and ice management industry was built on ingenuity, innovation and the ability to solve problems quickly. Kent will share examples (sent in by you!) of how you solved a problem in areas like client management, tools, equipment, marketing, HR, legal, operations and more.
Courtney Gordon, CSP; Tom Marsan; and Faith Anderson, Beverly Companies
Struggling with synergy? Achieving seamless alignment between sales, operations, and administration is essential for business success, and it's also one of the hardest to accomplish. Join Beverly Companies' operations manager, sales manager, and sales support specialist to explore strategies to improve communication, streamline processes, and foster collaboration between departments—ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and a unified customer experience.
Thomas TerMaat, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
An attorney that represents snow professionals will showcase examples of contract language and omissions that can set you up for additional liability, compromise your service delivery, cost you time and money and more.
Joe Kiedinger, Dignify
Today's new leaders are often promoted based on their proven competency in their roles. As they transition into supervisory positions, these leaders need to develop the skills to teach and lead others effectively. Joe will share essential insights into the current needs of employees and provide fundamental tools and knowledge to enhance your leadership abilities.
George Urvari, Knowledge Tree Consulting
Achieve a thriving and reliable business through a clear and healthy balance sheet. This workshop simplifies key financial ratios and principles, translating them into actionable insights for effective business management. Learn how to monitor your business's financial health, make informed investment choices, and maintain financial clarity year after year. Transform your balance sheet from a source of confusion into a powerful tool for business success.
Panelists TBA
You can’t make money in residential snow removal. There are too many clients and headaches to deal with. Sooooo many sidewalks! The city messes up our work. All of these and more are common reasons contractors are hesitant to build residential work into their portfolios. A panel of contractors from the US and Canada will dispel these myths and share how they’ve used residential work to create a profitable business model.
JP Sanieski, CSP, ASM, East End Group; Dean Outhouse, CSP, ASM, Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service; Tom Marsan, CSP, Beverly Companies; Jeremy Darling, CSP, ASM, JC Grounds Management
Operations managers unite! This interactive workshop will offer invaluable insights into emerging technologies, best practices for efficiency, and innovative solutions to common challenges. Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing will be key, so come prepared to participate! We’ll work together to anticipate market changes, improve operational strategies, and stay competitive.
Ken Boegeman, CSP, ASM, Swinter Group
Given the current climate, it's crucial to understand why insurance companies are hesitant to insure snow and ice management providers. The decisions you make and the policies you implement directly impact your ability to secure affordable insurance rates—and in some cases, any coverage at all. Ken will equip you with valuable talking points for negotiating rates and provide simple tips for making underwriters more comfortable insuring your company.
Doug McIntosh, McIntosh Grounds Maintenance
Running a small business is challenging: managing finances and stress are crucial for success, but maintaining balance is difficult. How can you tell if your business is thriving? Understanding your financials is key. Let's have an open conversation about stress, including triggers and coping mechanisms. We'll also discuss finding joy in self-employment and the difference between contentment and complacency. Let's explore the lessons they didn't teach in business school.
George Urvari, Knowledge Tree Consulting
Achieve a thriving and reliable business through a clear and healthy balance sheet. This presentation simplifies key financial ratios and principles, translating them into actionable insights for effective business management. Learn how to monitor your business's financial health, make informed investment choices, and maintain financial clarity year after year. Transform your balance sheet from a source of confusion into a powerful tool for business success.
JP Sanieski, CSP, ASM, East End Group; Dean Outhouse, CSP, ASM, Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service; Tom Marsan, CSP, Beverly Companies; Jeremy Darling, CSP, ASM, JC Grounds Management
Operations managers unite! This interactive workshop will offer invaluable insights into emerging technologies, best practices for efficiency, and innovative solutions to common challenges. Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing will be key, so come prepared to participate! We’ll work together to anticipate market changes, improve operational strategies, and stay competitive.
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Evan Tachoir, Jack of All Trades Consulting
John Mocharko, Snow & Ice Management Co.
This session explores strategies for retaining seasonal snow staff throughout the entire season and fostering year-after-year growth. Discover the risks associated with high turnover and learn the key elements for creating a workplace that encourages employee retention. We'll delve into motivational factors that enhance retention and illustrate how to measure these factors to implement effective changes. Additionally, we'll identify common obstacles to retention and provide actionable solutions to overcome them.
Lisa Rose, CSP, ASM, Allin/Rose Consulting
Preparing for icy conditions, especially when melt and refreeze cycles or freezing rain occur, requires careful planning to avoid accidents and maintain safety. This presentation highlights real-life slip-and-fall incidents that could have been avoided through effective measures such as clear contract language, proactive customer communications, and thorough planning. By focusing on these key areas, slip-and-fall accidents can be minimized, reducing liability and ensuring safety for all involved.
Joshua Brecht, East Coast Facilities
In a world where service companies blend in, the only way to stand out is by building a brand that resonates. In this session, Joshua will unveil the proven framework used by ECF Media to turn frontline workers into heroes, create media that drives trust, and elevate companies beyond price wars. Learn how storytelling, emotion, and authenticity fuel business growth, attract top talent, and command premium pricing. If you want to redefine your brand, this session is a must!
Christopher Lareau, Vue Robotics
This presentation explores emerging technologies that can enhance winter weather management for facilities and snow removal companies. Discover how artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced sensor networks, and data analytics improve operational decision-making and situational awareness during winter weather events, leading to safer and more resilient operations.
Jenny Girard, ASM, The Integra Group
Experience the art of fail-safing your operations through an exceptional customer experience! Drawing inspiration from the snow industry's precision and resilience, this session unveils creative strategies to prevent mishaps before they occur. Discover how a customer-first approach can streamline your operations and processes, ensuring your business runs as flawlessly as a pristine winter landscape.
Grace Gavin, Know Honesty
Every team struggles to identify the root of problems, often addressing symptoms instead of real issues. Come to this session to learn simple skills and tangible practices to improve communication—bringing clarity, confidence, and effectiveness to your team. Equip yourself to overcome every team’s #1 problem and lead your team to success.
Craig Sandmann, Hilltip Corp.
Benjamin Meck, Baldwin Management
Mike McCarron, ImageWorks Landscaping
Jon Crandall, CSP, JC Grounds Management
Doug McIntosh, McIntosh Grounds Maintenance
Josh Nichols, CSP, ASM, Ruppert Landscape
Stephanie Leveling, The Integra Group
Doug McIntosh, McIntosh Grounds Maintenance
Steve Wolf, WolfWorks Consulting
The SIMA Foundation, with financial support from Caterpillar, recently completed an update to its 2022 Snow & Ice Profitability Benchmarking Study. Sit in to hear how the data has changed and how to measure your snow business against industry averages to better plan for your company’s future.
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Billy Butts, Outdoor Pride Snow Management
David Lammers, Garden Grove Commercial Grounds & Snow Management
We will unpack what it takes to establish and communicate sales goals, and how to communicate pipeline updates company wide so that everyone knows where things are and what’s happening, with the ultimate goal being what to expect and how to plan to scale up. Everything comes back to PPE: Plan, Prepare, Execute.
Jeff Heller, CSP, The Green Executive
If not properly managed, small items will end up costing you big money and lost opportunities. Jeff will share his experience on topics like value engineering jobs to charge less without sacrificing profit; increasing sales/revenue per employee hour; and how faster job velocity creates more sales opportunities.
Moderator: Mike McCarron, ImageWorks Landscaping
Putting your trust in someone to take your place may sound scary, but it's necessary for business continuity. Join the discussion on how to cultivate your #2, whether you're the owner or a team leader.
You're no good to your team, your family or yourself if you're constantly stressed about work. Join the discussion on tactics you've used to reduce stress and find joy working in the snow industry.
Moderator: Jenny Girard, ASM, The Integra Group
Come together with peers to discuss how you're making your mark in the industry and ways we can work together to move the industry forward.
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