CONTENTS AUGUST 2024 | VOLUME 24 | NUMBER 8 28 Innovating the Future 38 Embracing Change On the Cover: The Growing Place in Naperville, Illinois, is one of the IGC stops on The Lawn & Garden Retailer Bus Tour at The Garden Center Show. Find a guide to the show beginning on page 13. Photo by Caroline Feehery. DEPARTMENTS 50 Mastering Live Selling SPECIAL SECTION The Garden Center Show Attendee Guide 13 MANAGEMENT Turning a Lifelong Education into a Business A passion for plants created a retail houseplant store that connects people in the community and builds partnerships with other businesses. By Hannah Brookfield EVENT CENTRAL FEATURES INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR Innovating the Future Introducing the 2024 Lawn & Garden Retailer Innovators of the Year. By Carly McFadden and Teresa McPherson TECHNOLOGY Embracing Change A South Carolina IGC revolutionizes its business with easy-to-learn technology. By Carly McFadden 38 Goat Yoga Partnering with a local business helped CountryMax Stores host an event with a crowd that can't get enough. By Teresa McPherson 28 MARKETING Mastering Live Selling How real-time social media videos could help your business. By Abby McGarry HOLIDAY A 'Winter Wonderland' A Pennsylvania retailer transforms into a magical shopping destination each holiday season. By Carly McFadden 6 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | AUGUST 2024 52 Missed our July '24 Issue? It's now available to view on lgrmag.com 50 47 44 04 Editor's Letter 08 Headlines/Calendar Product Showcases: 42 Garden Accents &Décor 46 Miniature/Indoor Gardening 48 Garden Pharmacy 56 Pohmer On ... Who Packed Your Parachute? By Stan Pohmer 60 Marketplace 65 Ad Index 66 5 Minutes with ... Melinda Koetsier By Teresa McPhersonhttp://www.lgrmag.com