October 15, 2009
LO’s Snow & Ice Symposium continued its amazing growth with the 2009 version.

“This year saw the largest increase ever for the event,” said manager of the symposium’s trade show, Gilles Bouchard. “It was very successful, the weather was great and participants had many good networking and education opportunities.”

This year 31 exhibitors showed their wares on the grounds of LO’s home office. This compares with the 15 exhibitors who took part in the 2008 trade show. The event was presented by Twin Equipment, lunch was sponsored by All Stone Equipment and the coffee mugs and coffee were sponsored by Kubota Canada. “It is with great sponsors like these that the event continues to be such a success,” said Bouchard.

A total of 92 registered for the symposium. Of that total 30 took part in the Build a Bid seminar. In a survey of the participants taken after the show, one comment was, “Lots to learn – will participate next year. I would recommend it to anyone in the snow industry. Twice a year would be better – once after snow season and once before.” Another said, “Learned a few steps to take and to move forward with upgrading the company.”

Speakers included Vince Arone of Pinpoint GPS Solutions, who led the technology session, Mark Bonner of the Ministry of Transportation, Paul Johnson, speaking on using liquid for anti-icing, Rob Kennaley, whose topic was liability and contracts,  Chad Roglich of Cadillac Fairview, and Graham Zeisner of the Association of Ontario Supervisors, who both spoke on building customer relations, Jim Monk and Ken Jorgenson, whose topic was hands-on calibration and Ed Hewis, chair of the Snow and Ice Sector Group, who updated participants on committee issues and events.

Exhibiting companies at the Snow and Ice Symposium included:
Advantage Products, All Stone Equipment, Amaco Equipment-Snow Dragon, Battlefield Equipment, Cliff’s Lawn and Garden Equipment, Drive Products, Durham Truck, Eastern Farm Machinery, ECO Solutions, Eco-Traction / Adox OKI Bering, Ed Stewart’s Equipment, Eloquip, Future Road Solutions, GC Duke Equipment, Green Tractors, Hitch City, Innovative Surface Solutions, Kenworth Toronto, Kooy Brothers Lawn Equipment, Kubota Canada, Machinability/Strongco Equipment, Modern Power Products, Nisco National Leasing, Para Mech Systems, Parker Hannifin, Pinpoint GPS, Pro Fleet Care, Total Equipment Rentals, Turbo Technologies, Turf Plus, Twin Equipment and Windmill Power Equipment.

Caption: Mark Bonner explains MTO regulations on plow weights.