The Tri-State Green Industry Conference (GIC) has provided annual training to horticultural professionals for over 80 years. The GIC has grown from humble beginnings in a greenhouse to become a premiere regional training event.

This is the fifth consecutive year the GIC has experienced record breaking attendance. This years 871 participants topped last years 759 by 15 percent. The 2020 GIC featured 8 training tracks with 33 speakers making 35 presentations. The trade show had 37 for profit exhibitors and 10 non profit display tables.

The annual Tri Sate GIC is a multi-state collaborative educational effort between: Ohio State University, University of Kentucky and Purdue University Extension. Other partners include: Boone County Arboretum, Cinn. State Technical College, Cinn Zoo and Botanical Garden, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. The Boone County Horticulture Agent is a Board member and has been a presenter. 5 University of Kentucky Specialists presented at this years conference.

Program Evaluation: A rating scale of 1-5 was used ( 1= strongly disagree and 5 strongly agree

4.61 The Tri-State GIC ranks at the top of educational programs i have attended

4.80 I will recommend the GIC to others that they attend the 2021 GIC.

4.59 New knowledge gained from the GIC will be useful to my job, business, organization, or personal interest.

4.31 I will change some of my horticultural practices based on new knowledge gained from the GIC 

4.33 I will change some of my pest management practices based on new knowledge gained from the GIC.

Every one of these results showed an increase in educational and participant satisfaction over 2019 results.

95% of attendees visited the Trade Show. 4.28 responded they gained new knowledge from visiting the Trade Show.

Professional credits and CEUs underpin the growth and economic health of Green Industry businesses,  Pesticide applicators are required by law to be licensed to make pesticide applications and valid licenses are maintained through earning recertification credits,

The 2020 GIC provided pesticide certification credits for Ohio, Kentucky, and indiana. Additionally professional credits professional credits were provided to maintain credentials with the International Society of Arboricuture,.