by Andrew Pelkey
December 2025

As the calendar winds down and snow begins to make its annual appearance, this is the perfect moment for owners to shift gears into budget and planning season. While you’re still juggling winter operations, client expectations, and the day-to-day rhythm of the business, it’s essential to give yourself and your team space to assess what worked this past season and map out what you want to accomplish in the next. Look at your financial performance, evaluate your equipment needs, revisit your pricing and staffing models, and think strategically about where you want to invest your energy and resources. Taking the time now to thoughtfully build your next season’s blueprint will save stress and unlock opportunity once spring arrives.

Part of solid planning includes connecting with the industry, sharpening your leadership skills, and staying current on trends that can help you lead your business more effectively. The New Hampshire Landscape Association has a lineup of events designed to support that growth. On January 22, 2026, NHLA hosts a Dinner Meeting focused on Safety First, a great kickoff to the year and a timely reminder that a safer operation is a more profitable one. And on February 19, 2026, NHLA will hold another Dinner Meeting, this one spotlighting CrewHero, a tool for transforming frontline operations and improving crew coordination and communication. These are excellent opportunities for owners and managers alike as you refine your 2026 strategy.(See links below to these events.)

For managers and team members, December isn’t just about wrapping up, it’s also a chance to seek out training and professional development that will pay dividends come spring. Whether you’re aiming to earn certifications, strengthen your technical skills, or build leadership capacity, now is the time to ask your leadership about opportunities and to carve out your own development goals. NHLA’s calendar already includes structured learning and networking through dinner meetings and more informal connections with peers, and you can expect additional programs to be added in the new year.

Remember: planning and training aren’t luxuries; they’re investments in your resilience and success. Owners who thoughtfully plan and involve their teams build stronger, more agile businesses. And team members who pursue growth position themselves and their companies to thrive. Let’s close out the year with purpose, prepare for the season ahead, and keep pushing our industry forward together.