August 15, 2014
Byers’ quest to network leads to board seat
Margot Byers
“As a landscape designer, I do most of my work alone.” Byers designs dream gardens in Oakville, Mississauga, Milton, Toronto, Georgina and Grey County. “I joined Landscape Ontario for the networking opportunities and to meet other designers and landscape contractors and suppliers of landscape materials and garden decor,” she says.
Her first volunteer efforts with Landscape Ontario involved helping the Georgian Lakelands Chapter with its events. Her efforts to network were such a success, that she now is a member of the provincial board of directors, representing Georgian Lakelands.
Byers says her favourite memory while being involved with LO took place at a Chapter meeting and social at a Collingwood restaurant. “It was a good turnout and everyone enjoyed themselves.”
She recalls that at the end of the meeting most of the members had slowly left, except for a group of women who were chatting about their industry. “This impromptu gathering consisted of landscape designers, contractors and suppliers. It was a great informal sharing of different perspectives of our industry from a woman’s point of view. I was still relatively new to the Chapter board, and this chat session gave me personal connections to other women in the landscape industry.”
Margot Byers says she found what she was looking for in the way of a networking benefit and getting to know other members in our industry. “I have met many members through LO, allowing them to get to know me and what I do.
She feels the association needs to be more relevant to smaller and single-employee businesses, which includes designers, small growers and maintenance companies. “These members may be small now, but with Landscape Ontario’s help, they can become larger and more successful businesses.”
Along with her volunteer work with Landscape Ontario, Margot Byers is a Master Gardener with Grey County Master Gardeners and also sits on the boards of her federal and provincial Conservative riding associations.