PLANT WNY & Upstate Equipment partner for annual Snow & Ice Management Conference

Press release

While summer has just arrived in Western New York, local green industry and snow removal professionals are already looking ahead to freezing temperatures. PLANT WNY (The Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association) has announced it will host its annual Snow & Ice Management Conference on Aug. 27. Presented by Upstate Equipment, this one-day event provides critical preparation, business growth strategies, and operational efficiency insights well before winter arrives.

Running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Banchetti by Rizzo’s in Amherst, the conference is designed for operations of all sizes – from large commercial fleets to small, family owned local property care businesses. Attendees will gain the strategic insights necessary to minimize liability and maximize profit margins before the first snowflake falls.

The event will feature a trade show with over 15 industry vendors showcasing cutting-edge snow removal equipment, new deicing technology, and modern business tools. Attendees will also hear a keynote address titled, "From Landscape & Snow Management to Workwear: A Journey of Growth, Exit, and Giving Back with New Purpose," presented by Zech Strauser, founder and CEO of Urture. Additionally, dedicated peer-to-peer sessions will address industry challenges, including risk management, contract structures, and profitable liquid deicing and brine alternatives.

"In Buffalo, winter operations can make or break a commercial contractor's year," said Phil Tripi, Show & Ice Management Conference chairman and owner of Tripi’s Landscaping. "Getting your fleet strategy, vendor accounts, and insurance contracts locked in during the offseason can lead to a successful winter. This event gives local professionals a dedicated space to talk shop, analyze trends, and see the newest machinery up close."

Admission is $50 for members or $55 for non-members, and includes lunch and happy hour networking. For more information, to view the full vendor list, or to purchase tickets, visit www.plantwny.com.

More about PLANT WNY: A trade association with member firms throughout Western New York, PLANT WNY serves the interests of nursery growers, garden center operators, landscapers, and those doing business with the green industry across New York. PLANT WNY is dedicated to promoting public awareness of the green industry. For more information, call 716-741-8047.