Clippings
November 2, 2017
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program Changes Coming in 2018
The Alberta Government recently announced that as of January 2, 2018, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) will change to be more responsive and flexible to labour market needs.  AINP will be implementing a new stream that will replace the Employer-Driven and Strategic Recruitment Streams for individuals looking to immigrate to Alberta, Canada. The AINP will also have an Alberta Express Entry Stream.
 
The AINP moving forward will have the following three Streams: 1) an Alberta Opportunity Stream; 2) the Self-Employed Farmer Stream will continue as it currently exists under its own criteria; and 3) an Alberta Express Entry Stream to enable the selection and nomination of individuals from the federal Express Entry pool.
 
Starting in 2019 there will be an increase to language requirements for applicants to qualify.  The seeming streamlining of the process is great news for Landscape Alberta members who have participated in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and have employees interested in permanent residence. For more info visit www.AlbertaCanada.com/AINP
There is Still Time to Register for the 2017 GISC!
The Green Industry Show and Conference is back in Calgary for 2017! Our conference sessions are timely and responsive to industry issues - focusing on a variety of topics with 32 one-hour sessions over the two days.
 
We have three full-day pre-conference workshops on November 15, designed for more in-depth technical level professional development. One for Greenhouse growers, one for Landscape contractors/estimators and one for those aimed at wanting to add winter containers to their landscape business.
 
Conference session highlights include landscape pest show and tell sessions with Dr. Ken Fry and landscape sales and estimating with Joe Salemi. Bob Reeves is speaking on the power of soil, Barbara Crowhurst has two sessions for garden centre professionals which include driving traffic to stores and increasing retail sales, as well as many more informative and engaging sessions. Everyone will find something to stoke their fire and those looking for continuing education credits will also find sessions to fulfill those needs.
 
Landscape Alberta members who pre-register receive free admission into the tradeshow and preferred pricing on conference registration. In addition to the educational opportunities, all conference attendees have access to the Green Industry Show. For more information on the Green Industry Show & Conference, visit www.greenindustryshow.com

Call for Donations: Nursery Producers Auction, November 15
It is once again time to prepare for the Annual Alberta Nursery Producers Group Auction. This year's Auction will be back in Calgary at the Sheraton Eau Claire, on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.
 
The Annual Auction is the main fundraising event for the Alberta Nursery Producers Group. Funds raised from this event are used to support research and educational projects that benefit all areas of the horticulture industry throughout Alberta and Western Canada.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the 2017 auction by providing a donation to the Annual Gift Auction. All donations will be acknowledged throughout the evening, in our program and at our annual Producers Meeting on Thursday, November, 16th.
 
Please complete the enclosed donor form and return by email to kyla@landscape-alberta.com or fax to 780-444-2152.  So that all donations can be properly acknowledged and prepared for the auction, please send in your donation form by November 9th.
   
For more information, please contact Kyla at Landscape Alberta: kyla@landscape-alberta.com or 780-489-1991 ext 106.
 
AIM Composting Facility Tour for GISC Attendees
AIM Environmental Group is a long-standing leader in the organics processing industry and has received recognition for developing and operating some of the largest and most technologically advanced composting plants in North America. AIM's most recent facility opened its doors in Calgary in July 2017 and is AIM's largest managed processing facility to date with a design process capacity of 145,500 tonnes per year. AIM Environmental as the OMR (Operate/Maintain/Repair) provider, in combination with Maple Reinders/Nason J.V. as Constructors, developed the process flow, facility layout, and provision of key pre and post process systems for the facility. The process is designed to receive and compost organics from the City of Calgary residential Source Separated Organics program & Dewatered Biosolids from one of the City of Calgary's Waste Water Treatment facilities. The technology employed is an advanced aerated static pile in-vessel system in order to better manage the dual in-bound organic waste streams.
 
To participate, please arrive in front of the Sheraton Suites Hotel (Eau Claire, 255 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary) on November 15 at 2:30 to board the bus provided by AIM traveling to the Calgary Composting Facility. The tour will be from 3:30-4:30 pm, and a BBQ will be provided from 4:30-5:15. At 5:15 pm the bus will load and head back to the Sheraton for 6:00 pm.
 
AALA Presents "Why Natural Playgrounds", November 25
AALA is hosting Adam Bienenstock & Jeff Lindstrom for a keynote titled Why Natural Playgrounds? at our AGM & Tradeshow as a part of our commitment to play and the Calgary Play Charter.
 
The keynote will start around 10:15 on November 25, 2017 and will be followed by Lunch.
The keynote, trade show (and lunch) is open to Allies of the AALA. Register at: https://2017-aala-agm.eventbrite.ca?discount=Ally
Having an Event?
Are you planning an industry event? Let us know and we will add to our events calendar on the Landscape Alberta website. If you would you like a representative from Landscape Alberta to attend your event, let us know and we will do our best to make it out. Send your event listings to: kyla@landscape-alberta.com. Be sure to include date, time, location and a web link (if applicable).
Connect with Us!
Benefits for Members across the Country
Mark's: 10% off the majority of Mark's workwear clothing, footwear and safety accessories.
 
casaGURU: Receive a free business listing on casaGURU.com and its partner sites, including HGTV.ca

Take advantage of these discounts and save thousands - see all the deals at the CNLA website https://cnla.ca/become-a-member.
Upcoming Events
November 7-9, 2017. Saskatchewan Green Trades Conference & Tradeshow. www.saskgreenhouses.com
November 15, 2017. Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers Auction, Sheraton Eau Claire, Calgary, AB.
November 16 - 17, 2017. Green Industry Show & Conference, BMO Centre, Calgary, AB. www.greenindustryshow.com

For a full list of industry events, visit our Event Calendar.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like more information on upcoming events, please contact us at 1-800-378-3198 or email admin@landscape-alberta.com .
     
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