My first TCI EXPO:
It was in Charlotte, North Carolina , like 10 years ago. I was actually intimidated to go there. I was training an apprentice at the time, and I said I'd pay his way, hotel, food and fuel if he's just go with me. I really had no idea what to expect, and I had these preconceived notions that is would be 'academic', that we'd be going from classroom to classroom. I don't know where I got that from.
We got there, stepped onto the tradeshow floor and I was blown away! As far as I could see, GEAR, and I don't mean just climbing gear. There was BIG gear; tree trucks, scissor lifts, bucket trucks, more chippers than I'd ever seen.... there was even a Bandit 250 XP painted the rainbow colors of Jeff Gordon's car. Stump grinders of every size, tub grinders....WOW! What an eyeful.
Then we got into the different booths of the different vendors. Dozens of different kinds of ropes, walls of caribiners, pruners and poles and clipper and nippers. AND THE SADDLES. I probably tried on twenty different saddles.
We missed one of our seminars because we were out on the EXPO floor in such awe. Chainsaws! Husqvarna was there, Echo was there, Stihl, Shindaiwa. I learned that 'real' arborist handsaws existed, not these silly things I was getting at Home Depot. Silky. I bought my first Silky Saw there, which was a life-changing experience in and of itself.
Safety gear. I bought my first set of chainsaw pants, a helmet for the apprentice and some ears. we learned that there are differents types of pads you can put on your spikes and you can try them all on. I got all my cabeling accessories and moved on from hardware store eyebolts and cable clamps to J-lags, extra high-strength cable and dead-end guy splices.
I learned that you can come to the EXPO and enjoy the tradeshow floor without having to take any of the classes. Of course, the seminars are a great part of the overall experience, but they weren't required like I thought they were. Also I thought if you came, you had to come for all three days- wrong. You just come and do the event however you wish, for however long is right for you.
My most impactful revelation was that this event was being put on SOLELY for the Tree Care Industry- my chosen profession. A custom-tailored, three day event made just for us, in the name of promoting our industry and all those who supply us.
Occasionally there is a year I can not attend, and it's painful. But not this year. This year the treeguys are coming out in full force, and TCIA is serving us up what they plan to be the biggest and best EXPO ever.
If you can break away for a day or two, just come on in. The admission to the trade floor was $15 for early signers, but is now $25, still a bargain for what it is. Plus, this year, you're almost guaranteed to meet other forum members.
Noobs, do yourself a giant, humongous favor. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. It will jump-start your career and you'll truly feel more a part of the profession. And certainly come over to booth #607. We'll answer any question you might have.
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