TOCA Talk – Fall 2020
TOCA Talk is proudly sponsored by EnP. EnP has been Engineering Optimal Plant Health™ for nearly 30 years, manufacturing specialty fertilizers under two brands: Foliar-Pak, and Age Old Nutrients. Because EnP professionals believe that collaboration and the exchange of ideas are essential for innovation, they are proud to support the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA).
Thank you, members of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association, for supporting this industry through your information, education, and outreach.
The President’s Corner – The Great Indoors
By Russell Warner, TOCA Board President
As we all know by now, the 2020 TOCA Annual Meeting was held virtually, Sept. 9-11. While this wasn’t what we envisioned when we originally booked the dates and location (Denver), we came together and made the virtual meeting special. On a side note, it was snowing in Denver the week of the event and 80 degrees F. in Cleveland, so take that 2020!
Read his entire article here.
Leveraging Influencers in the Green Industry
By Jacy Glazier
During this year’s virtual TOCA Annual Meeting, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about influencer marketing – specifically in the green industry. The Influencer Marketing Panel covered topics that were engaging for agencies, companies and media members alike, and featured:
Chant Singvongsa, a serial entrepreneur, came to the United States from Laos when he was 5 years old. Chant grew up living in state housing and on welfare, and he always felt like he never fit in anywhere in life – until he started focusing on his dreams. Chant now owns four businesses: Singvongsa Landscaping, Singvongsa Photography, Imobile Solutions and Wishy Washy Laundromat LLC.
Continue reading here.
Engagement Techniques for Customers from Afar
By Britney Riggs, Xylem Marketing
During the Virtual TOCA Annual Meeting, Tina Dyakon, Poynter’s marketing director, gave a lively discussion about engagement techniques we can use to keep customers informed, interested and connected from a distance.
Read more here.
Lessons Learned from Election Year: What to Expect for the Green Industry – David Crow, DCLRS
By Courtney Mullen, Xylem Marketing
At the beginning of the election year of 2020, the country was at its strongest. The United States was experiencing a good economy and low unemployment. The president’s strategy coming into the election was to run on the prosperity of living in a “Donald Trump World.”
Read more here.
Lessons Learned from ‘Surviving COVID-19’
By Dawn Rigby, Xylem Marketing
At the TOCA 2020 Virtual Annual meeting, members of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association heard from Karl Danneberger, turfgrass professor and researcher at The Ohio State University (OSU), as he shared his firsthand experience of surviving COVID-19.
Read more here.
Congratulations Cindy Code!
The Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association gives a “shout out” to Cindy Code, Project Evergreen executive director, who joined the 2020 Class of Lawn & Landscape Leadership Award winners. These annual awards go to green industry professionals who have demonstrated the strongest leadership skills in the world of landscaping and lawn care. They work relentlessly to make the industry better for their colleagues and companies, and the world around them a better place. Read more about Cindy Code here.
Meet the Corner Window Communications team that serves TOCA
For 30 years, Gardner & Gardner Communications (owned and operated by Den and Sandy Gardner) managed the Turf and Ornamental Communications Association (TOCA). As retirees, the Gardners are spending more time on golf courses and limited time in the office. Thus, TOCA management transitioned from Gardner & Gardner Communications to Corner Window Communications, owned and operated by Kristy Mach, who serves as the TOCA executive director.
This was a seamless transition since Mach worked closely with G&G and TOCA for more than five years. Mach’s team serving the TOCA account includes Sandra O’Rourke, who coordinates TOCA’s awards, internship and scholarship programs, and handles accounting functions. Kyle Wieskus serves as the membership director; Kellie Lasack carries out digital and social media communications; and JoDee Sattler edits TOCA’s quarterly newsletter.
Feel free to contact the team via e-mail.
Kristy Mach
Sandra O’Rourke
Kyle Wieskus
Kellie Lasack
JoDee Sattler
GIE Media Receives Honors at the 2020 Azbee Awards of Excellence
GIE Media, a B2Bmedia company serving 18 industries through print and digital magazines, websites, e-newsletters, apps, conferences, reference books and other media platforms, announced that nine of its publications earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
Continue reading here.