Explore the AGZA Green Zone Immerse Yourself In The Robotic Equipment Revolutionizing The Landscape Industry  AGZA – short for the American Green Zone Alliance – has been a constant presence at The Landscape Expo through its founder, Dan Mabe, and the many facilities and manufacturers the company has worked with. This year, that alliance expands, as TLE's Sustainability Center features the AGZA Green Zone, complete with case studies, panels, and seminars facilitated by AGZA as well as an autonomous mower demonstration area featuring brand-name manufacturers. If your team is considering the switch to electric or autonomous equipment, the Sustainability Center is where you need to be! The AGZA Green Zone will feature two panels presented by – you guessed it – AGZA! Both seminars will take place at 11:15 a.m., with the Wednesday, November 4, panel showcasing the newest advancements in autonomous and robotic landscape technology, including what's available now and where the field is headed in the near future. The technology is steadily advancing in this area, and the number of teams adopting it is increasing. As the demand grows, make sure the facilities under your care are keeping up with trends that have the capability of taking your operation to the next level. On Thursday, November 5, legislative and manufacturing experts will illuminate recent regulations surrounding gas and electric equipment. With all the changes surrounding the California ban of small, off-road engines (SORE), these experts will explain the fine print and make sure you know how to balance legal compliance with efficiency. During the 8:00 a.m. slots on both days, AGZA founder Dan Mabe will present in-depth research done on facilities who have converted to electric equipment, starting on Wednesday with a case study done on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus. On Thursday, Mabe will cover the range of robotic landscape equipment and the results from facilities who have integrated this equipment in their maintenance routines.  Immediately after attending one of the AGZA seminars or panels, you will be able to test autonomous equipment from brand-name manufacturers like ECHO and many others located within the Sustainability Center. Autonomous mowers of all sizes will show off what they can do in indoor courses while you have the chance to ask their manufacturers questions. Take a look at battery-electric lawn equipment that has been certified under the AGZA Field Tested Certified (AFTC) program, proven to match or exceed the productivity and profitability experienced with gas equipment while reducing noise and environmental impact. You can also chat with the AGZA team about the steps to turning your facility into an AGZA Certified Green Zone, starting with swapping out handheld gas-powered equipment and working up to phasing out all gas operations as well as implementing organic pest and weed control and water-wise irrigation. Whatever your team's journey on the path to sustainability, you'll find answers and inspiration here! Click to Register  In addition to the AGZA-facilitated seminars and panels, the Sustainability Center will feature sessions geared towards designing sustainable landscapes using pollinator-friendly practices or leaning into permaculture. An expansion on last year's coverage of the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires will include a session on fire-resistant native plants as well as a panel with experts from the ASLA, BIA, and Altadena Green on the current status and next steps in the rebuilding process. Make sure your team is well positions to handle the current rebuild and prevent future catastrophe on the properties under your care. Those who oversee large areas of turf will get the chance to ask detailed questions about AB 1572 from one of the agencies that helped develop the 2023 legislation banning the irrigation of non-functional turf. Elsewhere on the hall floor, you'll have the opportunity to earn CEUs for other sustainability-related topics like conducting irrigation system audits and navigating the world of smart controllers, learning from poor practices in landscape management, and integrating new plants in your landscapes. You can find a seminar for any topic you might want to learn about at The Landscape Expo! Register for your VIP Conference Package today to take unlimited seminars and make the most out of the AGZA Green Zone and your Landscape Expo experience! Since 2007, the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) has worked with superintendents and developers to test and improve battery-powered technology in the grounds maintenance industry. With increased access to autonomous technology, AGZA's Dan Mabe has been studying the developing abilities of robotic mowers and other battery-powered equipment, assessing the extent of their contributions to existing landscaping operations in third-party tests for the opportunity to become AGZA Field Tested Certified (AFTC). Facilities where routine landscape maintenance is performed using low-impact equipment and environmentally responsible practices can work through AGZA's four levels to become a Certified Green Zone. For more information on the AFTC or AGZA Certified Green Zone programs, go to: agza.net. |