SMCC Brunswick Campus
29 Sewall St. Brunswick, ME
Academic Building, Hannaford Lecture Hall
5 MELNA Recertification Credits for the Day (MCN, MCSL)
Submit form by 5 pm November 7, 2025
Cost is $50.00 per person for the first MELNA member from company; $35 for each additional employee of MELNA company. $75.00 for non-members, $25.00 for full-time students. Cost includes light refreshments at registration, plus lunch. Submit all attendees’ names. PayPal will be used to process your payment. Even if you do not have a PayPal account, you can use your credit card with PayPal.
Register
AGENDA
8:30 – 9:00am: SIGN IN; Coffee and Refreshments
9:00 – 9:45am: Lucy Rakocy, Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service
“Employee Retention and Engagement.” Goals and strategies to connect with your employees!
9:50 – 10:35am: Gabe Marchese, Cross Insurance + Kara Fortier, Cross Insurance Employee Benefits
“Employee Benefits.” Navigate the world of group benefits, such as health, dental, vision, life, disability, and more! Renewals, enrollments, service inquiries, and any other day-to-day needs that may arise.
10:40 – 10:55am: Phil Saraceno, Federated Insurance
“Drive Safe.” Coverage of what safe driving really entails and the practices to have in place for safe driving.
11:00 – 11:45am: Phil Saraceno, Federated Insurance
“Insurance 101.” What does an insurance company look at when they are pricing your program? What is important to the business owner for policies, programs and procedures. Tailoring your insurance plans to compliment your business.
11:50am 12:30pm – Lunch (Provided)
12:30 – 1:15pm: Josh Emerson, Clark Insurance
“Growing Safety, Reducing Risks: A Workers Compensation Perspective.” In this discussion we will review best practices tailored to the Landscaping and Nursery Industry. Medical Management, Federal Training Requirements, Red Flags & Early Intervention Strategies to help reduce injury costs, improve employee outcomes, and foster a proactive safety culture.
1:20 – 2:05pm: Zach Willner, Free Pier Advisors
“Ownership Transitions in the Green Industry.” As many business owners in the Green Industry begin to consider retirement and plan for the next phase for their companies, understanding ownership transitions is increasingly important. This session provides an overview of the two primary types of ownership transitions: succession and sale. The process for each option and the potential impacts on business operations will be reviewed in this session so that owners and employees can successfully understand and navigate this important company milestone.
Register
Community Service Project:
Each year requests are submitted to our organization to request our expertise in landscaping a particular locale. It is our difficult task to choose a project deserving of our attention. Once chosen, a landscape is designed, plants and materials are donated by our membership in a coordinated effort, and we descend upon the site for the installation. It is an amazing to see a site transformed so quickly by many experienced hands. Equipment and materials quickly move about, completing the project many times in a matter of hours. The camaraderie amongst the workers is a true draw on the day for many. If you haven’t had the experience, we encourage you to become involved – you will be in awe of what we can do!
If you have any questions or ideas, please contact
Don Sproul, Executive Director
Maine Landscape and Nursery Association
PO Box 4666
Augusta, ME 04330
Email: exdir@melna.org
Phone: (207) 623-6430