Grow Your Game: Innovations and Insights In Outdoor Power Equipment | KC

Join this 90-minute session followed by a 30-minute bonus Q&A session to explore the latest developments in landscape maintenance equipment and technology through expert insights and real-world research. The team from the Outdoor Power Equipment Consortium will provide attendees with valuable information to determine if electric or gas-powered equipment is the best suited for your business.

• The Outdoor Power Equipment Consortium - Paul Bartley, Ph.D. – Auburn University
  • Paul will provide an overview of the Consortium’s formation, mission, and ongoing initiatives will provide collaborative research on supporting the transition to cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective maintenance technologies
• Landscape Professionals' Equipment Use & Perceptions - Julie Campbell, Ph.D., University of Georgia
  • Julie will present preliminary findings from an industry-wide survey exploring how landscape professionals use gas and battery-powered tools, the challenges they encounter, and the key factors that influence their purchasing and operational decisions. She will highlight trends in equipment adoption, perceptions of battery-powered tools, and barriers to sustainable practices.
• Autonomous Mowing: ROI and Risk Evaluation
  Landon Erbrick, Auburn University
  • Landon will focus on return on investment, safety considerations, operational performance, and efficiency. The discussion will help attendees assess the viability of integrating autonomous mowers into their workflows and the decision-making required to justify such transitions.
• Performance of Autonomous Mowers in Warm-Season Turf
  Bryan Unruh, Ph.D., University of Florida
  • o With Autonomous mowing gaining momentum in the turfgrass industry, Bryan will share data from a field study conducted at the UF West Florida Research and Education Center assessing autonomous mower performance on warm-season grasses. Practical insights will help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation in southern landscapes.

• Battery vs. Gas Leaf Blowers: Field-Test Comparisons
  Mark Hoffman, Ph.D., Auburn University
  • Mark will compare the operational characteristics of battery-powered and gas-powered leaf blowers, focusing on blower force, noise levels, and real-world performance metrics. Attendees will learn how different technologies perform under field conditions and how these findings can influence equipment selection based on site needs and sustainability goals.
• Transitioning to Electric: Real-World Best Practices
  Dan Mabe, American Green Zone Alliance
  • Dan Mabe will provide information from a hands-on study based on real-world experiences helping companies determine whether the shift from gas to electric equipment makes sense. Learn about developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for battery tools, workforce re-training, setting up infrastructure, and managing costs.

Registration is required.

Cost: $75 in advance, $90 after August 7 | Purchase three or more sessions, receive $10 off each session.

CEUs: This workshop qualifies attendees to earn 1.0 FNGLA CEU credits.