Upcoming industry events you shouldn't miss

Winter brings bunches of high-quality green gatherings. If you haven't already done so, take a minute now to enter these dates in your smart phone, PDA or Outlook calendar. Still an analog type? Write them in your little black book or on the back of your hand. Whatever trips your memory's trigger.

* January 11-12-13: MANTS (MidAtlantic Nursery Trade Show), Baltimore, MD.

A bustling, thriving show in the exciting Inner Harbor area. Visit ECG at booth #919.

* January 19-20: GSHE (Gulf States Horticultural Expo), Mobile, AL. Industry insights & great views of Mobile Bay at Outlaw Convention Center. Visit ECG at booth #628-630.

* January 22: P.L.A.N.T. Seminar, Columbus, OH. Planning to attend or exhibit at the CENTS show? Show up a day early for perennial pointers from top presenters.

* February 1-2-3: NEG (New England Grows), Boston, MA. Not cold enough faw ya? Come to Bahst'n for a taste of real wintah. Visit ECG at booth #3033.

* Perennially Inspired: PPA (Perennial Plant Association) MidAtlantic Regional Symposium, February 25, Baltimore, MD. Five sought-after speakers will explore multiple facets of perennial plants and plantings, past, present & future.

You're probably within reasonable range of one or more of those. Remember, dates on calendars are like images in side-view mirrors: Closer than they look. Set aside the time for these events today, or before you know it they'll be fading away in the rear-view.