The National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) 46th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) — scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday, March 16 to 19, 2022 — is rapidly approaching.

In our last blog on the event, we talked about why the NCLC is a must-go for landscape companies looking to hire top talent. More than 800 landscape and horticulture students from across the country will descend on North Carolina State University in Raleigh to compete in 32 different events. They’ll also have resumes in hand and be prepared to talk with business owners about job opportunities during the NCLC Career Fair from 9:30 to 1 p.m. Thursday in the Carmichael Gym. You can find Ewing at Booth 114.

In addition to the Career Fair, here are five things to put on your to-do list while you’re in Raleigh. For a full lineup by day, visit the event schedule on the NCLC website.

1. An Opportunity to Mingle

Students preparing for competitions will spend Wednesday taking qualifying exams and attending pre-competition workshops taught by industry professionals.

That evening, there are two receptions to consider attending:

• 7:30 to 9 p.m. Faculty and Industry Reception, Dail Club at Carter-Finley Stadium. Take a virtual tour of the facility here.
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. Rea Student Reception, Wellness and Recreation Center. The event will include an indoor climbing wall and other interactive activities.

RSVPs are not required to attend either reception. Face coverings are required at all indoor events on the NCSU campus, regardless of vaccination status.

2. Opening Ceremony and Event Briefings

Attending the competition’s Opening Ceremony from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Talley Student Union Ballrooms is a great way to get into the NCLC spirit. Lively team introductions and school cheers provide a who’s who of competitors and fire everyone up for the events to follow.

After the ceremony, the Career Fair will kick off at 9:30 a.m., then event briefings beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday at several sites on campus will be the last chance to ask questions and hear details about the competitive events, some of which begin that evening. The full list of briefings is available on the events schedule.

3. Career Development Series

Ewing and Hunter Industries have teamed up to co-sponsor Thursday evening’s NALP Career Development Series. In addition to hearing from former NCLC participants on how to find the right internship and job, students who attend series presentations by top industry professionals on topics they might not be offered at their respective schools will have a chance to win one of three $500 scholarships.

The scholarship money will go toward winning teams’ 2023 NCLC travel expenses. Scholarships will be awarded to one team in each of the following categories: 25 or more members, 10 to 24 members, and fewer than 10 members.

4. Competitive Events

Friday will be devoted to the bulk of NCLC’s competitive events, held at sites across the campus, where attendees can see the future of the green industry at work. Student teams will compete for points in a variety of events, with the team amassing the most points named the overall winner.

Ewing, an NCLC Bronze Partner, is primary sponsor of the irrigation troubleshooting and assessment competition, and co-sponsor of the irrigation assembly and design competition with Hunter Industries.

Students competing in the irrigation troubleshooting competition can find a variety of troubleshooting resources on Ewing’s NCLC Resources page. Information on the site also serves as a good resource for contractors needing to troubleshoot a system.

5. Top 5 Showcase and Closing Ceremony

NCLC will wind down Saturday with a Top 5 Showcase from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the Talley Student Union Ballrooms, followed by the presentation of individual event and overall winners from 9 to 11 a.m. during the Closing Ceremony.

Some Things to Know Before You Go

• Registration is required for each person attending from your company. Check-ins will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, and continue at 7 a.m. Wednesday.
• Hotel reservations may be made online or by calling (888) 341-0161. For more information, visit the Housing page on the event website.
• COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be followed during the event. NALP officials strongly recommend that attendees be vaccinated against COVID-19 but vaccination is not required to attend. NCSU also does not require COVID-19 vaccinations, but they are highly encouraged. Face coverings are required indoors and are recommended outdoors, especially in large crowds. For more information, visit the university’s coronavirus page.
• Need help getting around? A full-color map of NCSU can be downloaded on the event website.
• Looking to volunteer? Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at NCLC. Ewing customers interested in volunteering to help with our irrigation competitions and Career Development Series are asked to email events@ewingirrigation.com for more information. To inquire about other volunteer opportunities, email NALP’s Events Team at events@landscapeprofessionals.org.

If you have a question about the career fair, competitive event sponsorship, registration, website, or a general event question, email Jenn Myers, NALP Foundation Executive Director and Senior Director of Workforce Development, at jenn@landscapeprofessionals.org.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the event. Be sure to visit us at Booth 114 at the Career Fair, and drop by the irrigation troubleshooting and assessment and the irrigation assembly and design competition sites to say hello and watch the student teams in action.