PLANET adopts new name
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) recently announced a reinvigorated vision and recommitted focus on national representation of the professional landscape industry. As of April 2015, the organization’s name will change to the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). NALP is the only national trade association built by the collaboration of landscape professionals who specialize in landscape, lawn and tree care, irrigation, landscape design and installation, and interior plantscaping. Its diverse membership also includes manufacturers and suppliers, as well as consultants, faculty and student members.
“The Professional Landcare Network was formed 10 years ago with the merger of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America,” said PLANET CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE, CMP. “We are the national association that represents companies across all sectors of the landscape industry, but our name didn’t reflect the unity and breadth of our membership and our industry.”
NALP will continue to provide business and safety education to its members, certification through the Landscape Industry Certified designation, as well as lobbying on behalf of the industry with lawmakers and promoting the industry to the public. But, it also will now focus on a reinvigorated commitment to advocacy, spotlighting the professionalism of its members; providing the public with the best, most trusted source of landscape and lawn care information; and promoting the value of using professional landscape industry services.
“Our new name will more accurately reflect our industry and our members, bringing higher visibility to the professionalism and care that our members bring to creating and maintaining the nation’s landscapes,” said PLANET President Jim McCutcheon, Landscape Industry Certified.
The rebranding process produced more than just a new name and logo. It also included six months of member research to refine the strategic direction of the association, making sure the organization’s vision, mission and goals represented member needs and delivered solutions to support landscape companies and advance the industry.
“Our association has always provided a wide variety of programs and services to landscape industry companies and their employees, but now, we are hyper-focused on delivering results in the top three areas that our members identified: unparalleled education, advocating for the industry, and promoting professionalism in the industry through safety education, career development and certification,” said Hickman.
For more information about PLANET’s rebranding and to watch a video about NALP, visit the web page for more information.
In celebration of the launch of the National Association of Landscape Professionals brand, NALP will offer first-time members, 20-percent off of new contractor membership in the association. Visit http://bit.ly/landscapeprofessionals for more information.
