Ignite 2025 Live Blog

That's a wrap for Ignite 2025! Join us next year for Ignite 2026 — Oct. 7-9 in Orlando, Fla.!

» Read all the recaps and highlights from Ignite 2025 Day One.

» Read all the recaps and highlights from Ignite 2025 Day Two.

Building Tomorrow, Together

“On the cutting edge, sometimes you bleed.” 

Todd Reinhart, CEO of Reinhart Landscaping and Snow, hammered home the message of the final keynote of Ignite 2025 — how to stay ahead of the rapid-fire pace of change, whether it’s AI, robotics, data integrity, or maximizing your staff’s bandwidth.

Reinhart joined Mike Lowrance, Director, Information Technology for LMC Landscape Partners, and Breanna Neerland, VP at Kwik Kill, for the final main stage session.

Reinhart is about to celebrate their 40th year in business, and he proudly noted his “tech nerd” status. “I was one of the first Apple IIe users, and a Newton, too. I used a system similar to Aspire back in 2008.”

Here are the top takeaways from their discussions with ServiceTitan’s Chris Fasano:

One system. Period. 

“Everything starts with Aspire,” Lowrence said. “I don’t like using multiple systems. The more systems you use, the harder they are to manage, and the more people you need to run the systems. I like doing as much as possible within Aspire, from beginning to end.”

Celebrate the wins. 

“Find champions locally to work with their peers,” Lowrence said. “I don’t think we say thank you enough to the great people in this industry. Also, some people may not be willing to change. That’s a reality.”

“And don’t do too much too soon, especially if you don’t have much tech in your company right now. Make incremental improvements, and celebrate the wins when you have them.”

Data integrity is critical. Garbage in … garbage out. 

“You have to have an SOP,” Lowrence said. “We try to catch mistakes as soon as possible. Bad information going in means bad information going out. You want to make good business decisions, but those decisions are based on the data that’s input — so you have to make sure the data is correct.”

“The data, from Day 1, has to be accurate. If you muddy the water at the beginning, it may take a long time to clear up those waters.”

Ask great questions. 

“When I interview a job candidate, I ask unique questions,” Neerland said. “I always ask what people consider to be their own personal values — and that can pull people up short. But it’s eye-opening. And then I ask them to tell me about a moment personally or professionally when they were really proud of themselves.”

Automate, automate, automate.

“Automation is huge. We’re automating as many processes as we can,” Neerland said. “Whenever something crosses my desk, I ask, ‘Can we automate this? Should we automate this? Or will it cost us some of the personal connections with our customers?'”

“Use the software. We’re all paying for a very robust software,” Neerland said. “Use it to the best of your capabilities.”

The future is for the bold. 

“Change the people, or change the people. Resistance to change can stagnate your company,” Reinhart said. “We have to continue to improve our offerings, and if we don’t — someone else will.

“Look, the service industry is 800,000 people short — so you have to be as efficient with your labor as possible.”

“Whether you want to face it or not, the model is changing,” Reinhart said. “It’s going to be a one-person crew, in a small truck, going to do the small detail work. The days of the multi-person crews are numbered. And it’s going to happen likely in the next 36 months.“

“It’ll be a tech person, managing a robot fleet.”

AI is everything. Lean into it.

“Never stop learning,” Neerland said. “Never stop trying to grow as a leader.”

“We wanted to be an AI-first company,” Reinhart said. “If you’re just using it for email, you’re doing yourself a disservice. You should be learning about AI, investing in AI, and listening to podcasts about AI.

“Because we’re using AI to accelerate all the other things we’re doing.”

-Scott Goldman

The "I Believe" Button: Lessons in Elite Performance from the Blue Angels

As Lead Solo Pilot for the legendary Blue Angels flight team, John "Gucci" Foley mastered the art of flying at an elite level. Now he empowers leaders and organizations to achieve the same level of excellence through his Glad To Be Here® Mindset and Diamond Performance Framework.

Drawing from his experience flying 18 inches apart at 500 miles per hour, Foley shared the mental and operational principles that separate good teams from truly elite performers.

The "Glad to Be Here" Mindset

"Who else is glad to be here?" Foley asks the audience, immediately establishing the foundation of his philosophy. This isn't just conference energy—it's the cornerstone of elite performance.

Gratitude creates the context for limitless team potential. The "Glad to Be Here" mindset transforms how teams approach challenges, setbacks, and opportunities. It's about recognizing that being present in the moment, whether in a high-stakes situation or daily operations, is itself a privilege worth appreciating.

The Power of Belief

"When you climb in that cockpit, you'd better hit that ‘I Believe’ button," says Foley. "Here's my suggestion: When you wake up in the morning, it doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing. You've got to hit that ‘I Believe’ button."

But where is this button? It's not in the aircraft—it's in your heart.

The combination of gratitude ("Glad to Be Here") and belief ("I Believe" button) creates the mental foundation necessary for breakthrough performance.

Creating Awe Through Excellence

The Blue Angels' mission wasn't simply to fly jets. "Our job was not to fly at all," Foley explains. "We just used that to create awe. And if you think about it, in business and life, that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to create awe with others."

Whether you're transforming a landscape or delivering any service, the goal remains the same: creating that "wow" moment that makes people stop and appreciate exceptional work.

The 300% Performance Jump

The Blue Angels demonstrate what's possible when teams commit to elite performance. Fleet pilots fly 10-20 feet apart—already requiring exceptional skill and trust. But Blue Angels pilots operate at just three feet apart, representing a 300% improvement in precision.

The remarkable part? This transformation happens in just 90 days.

"Can you imagine what your numbers would look like in 90 days if you had a 300% improvement?" Foley asks. By season's end, the team flies just 18 inches apart—and eventually down to 12 inches!

The Three Elements of High Performance

Every elite team operates on three fundamental principles:

1. Connection: "Human beings, we've got to connect. That's way more important than anything else."

2. Alignment: Everyone understands the mission, products, and how to adapt to changing conditions.

3. Commitment: "Nobody can force commitment. You can't force it on somebody. But we can ask. Every morning when you and I wake up, we get a choice—what level of commitment are you willing to bring?"

Fear vs. Scared: The Crucial Difference

When Foley first experienced the Blue Angels' intensity, his reaction was natural: "How am I going to do this? I can't do this."

But a teammate's support shifted his perspective: "Hey, Gucci, we got you. We've done this before. We've taken people like yourself and elevated them."

This taught him the difference between fear and scared:

• Fear is paralyzing—"it feels like a force coming at you out of your control. The reaction? You get stuck."

• Scared is productive—"those little hairs that stand up on your neck. Scared says we need to make some adjustments, adapt, innovate, and change. That's good."

The High-Performance Zone

Success happens in the gap between where you are and where you want to go. "There's always a gap between where you are and where you're trying to go," Foley notes. "If there's not, you've got to reset your goals."

The question isn't whether the gap exists—it's how do you close it quickly?

Perception Drives Performance

How you see the world fundamentally shapes your results. "The world's coming from you, not at you," Foley emphasizes. "How do you perceive a client? How do you perceive a teammate? That perception is going to drive your behavior."

This mindset shift—from victim to creator—transforms how teams approach challenges and opportunities.

Joyful Effort

The magic behind elite performance isn't just hard work—it's "joyful effort." When people genuinely care and feel part of something meaningful, "you can see it in their faces. You can't fake that."

This combination of purpose, excellence, and genuine care creates the foundation for sustained high performance.

The Foundation for Growth

Like the supportive family that allowed Foley to dream, fail, and try again, leaders must "give your teams the foundation so that they can grow." Not everyone starts with that foundation, "but if you haven't come from that, then let's at least give it to someone else."

The journey to excellence takes time—Foley spent 18 years reaching his Blue Angels dream—but the daily choice to hit that "I Believe" button, combined with connection, alignment, and commitment, creates the conditions for breakthrough performance.

Whether you're flying in formation or building elite teams on the ground, the principles remain the same: believe in the mission, trust your teammates, and never stop closing the gap between where you are and where you're capable of going.

-Missy England

Aspire Founder Mark Tipton Bids Farewell, Reflects on Impact and Future Vision

Mark Tipton, the visionary co-founder of Aspire, took a final bow as CEO Monday afternoon, marking the end of a remarkable 12-year journey dedicated to transforming the green industry. 

“Our purpose, from the beginning, was to change lives,” Tipton said as he kicked off Ignite 2025 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Tipton’s speech served as a powerful reflection on Aspire’s profound impact on businesses and lives, while also casting a confident gaze toward a future shaped by its integration with ServiceTitan.

Tipton opened by sharing heartfelt anecdotes from countless interactions with clients over the years, emphasizing that Aspire's core purpose has always been to "change lives by changing an industry." 

He highlighted impressive success stories, including Yellowstone Landscape's ability to add 4-5 percentage points to their gross margin after implementing Aspire, despite already having robust processes in place. 

He also shared the transformative journey of Marty Grunder, who, after adopting Aspire in 2019, gained the visibility needed to triple his business and "is having fun again."

Beyond individual business success, Tipton underscored Aspire's broader mission to "raise the game of the industry." 

A key testament to this commitment is the "Aspire in the classroom" initiative, which sees Aspire software being taught at 30 universities and 2 technical high schools. He proudly noted that more than 50 students at BYU have already received college credit and Aspire certification through online courses, with similar programs poised to launch at three other major universities.

"Today is different," Tipton stated, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of his departure as CEO of Aspire. He expressed immense pride and gratitude for everything accomplished with his team and clients, emphasizing that the true source of his pride lies not in the software itself, but in the people—the Aspire team and the clients who entrusted them. 

"That’s what I will miss the most — working with you. The conversations, the ideas, the energy you bring to every interaction," Tipton remarked, underscoring that while software matters, "the relationships are what make it meaningful."

The speech concluded with a moment of "reflection and gratitude," as Tipton thanked clients for their trust, challenges, and for transforming Aspire into "not just a software company, but a community." He promised to continue cheering on Aspire's journey, believing that the future is bright and that incredible things await.

“Building Aspire has been the greatest experience of my professional life.”

-Scott Goldman

Breanna Neerland of Kwik Kill Pest Control receives Founders Award

Breanna Neerland, a trail-blazing, second-generation leader of Kwik Kill Pest Control in Wisconsin, is the recipient of the Founders Award representing FieldRoutes. 

The Founders Award was one of four presented to an individual or team at Ignite, the FieldRoutes customer conference at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. The selections were revealed Monday during the event’s opening session.

"These individuals have finished each year stronger than the last, and all of them have shown true leadership and a commitment to making a lasting impact," said Jon Gohl, Aspire's director of customer experience.

The FieldRoutes honorees:

Founders Award

Breanna Neerland

Kwik Kill Pest Control

Madison, WI

KwikKill.net

About the Founders Award: The Founders Award honors an individual who has made lasting contributions to the company, community, and industry—through mentorship, advocacy, or leadership— by embodying our core values: Change Lives, Achieve the Extraordinary, and Be a Dream Team. 

Why Neerland won: Neerland is a visionary leader who has elevated Kwik Kill's operations, leading their digital transformation to FieldRoutes. Beyond her company, she's a dedicated advocate for the industry, serving in multiple leadership roles to support and advance pest control professionals. She started and leads the chapter of Professional Women in Pest Management in Wisconsin, has been a board member and is treasurer of the Wisconsin Pest Control Association, and is a graduate of the National Pest Management Association Executive Leadership Program.

Finalists: All "U" Need Pest Control; Kyle Turner and Jason Reboja, Pro Active Pest Control.

Impact Award

Alta Pest Control Team

Austin, TX

AltaPestControl.com

About the award: This award honors an individual or company that has made a significant impact beyond their business, driving positive change within their community and the industry. 

Why Alta Pest Control won: Alta Pest Control is being honored for its people-first philosophy, which has built a strong company culture focused on employee growth, customer experience, and community engagement. They're recognized for their innovative use of technology, collaborative spirit within the industry, and commitment to mentorship.

Excellence Achieved Award

Fox Pest Control Team

Logan, UT

Fox-Pest.com

About the award: This award recognizes a customer who has achieved consistent, strategic growth by fully integrating our software, using its technology and integrations to drive measurable and lasting success. 

Why Fox Pest Control won: Fox Pest Control is being honored for its remarkable growth and operational excellence. By leveraging FieldRoutes to innovate, Fox has streamlined its sales with a Salesforce integration, enhanced dispatch efficiency with a centralized system, and successfully launched a commercial services division.

Finalists: RIDD Pest Control Team, Tailor Made Pest and Wildlife Team

Rookie of the Year Award

Yardline Pest Control

Huxley, IA

YardlinePest.com

About the award: This award honors a new customer who has achieved early and impactful success with FieldRoutes software, demonstrating a strategic adoption laying groundwork for long-term success.

Why Yardline Pest Control won: Yardline is the FieldRoutes Rookie of the Year for its explosive growth and tactical use of the platform. By leveraging FieldRoutes to manage its operations, the company has tripled its client base, streamlined technician onboarding, and created a premier service that stands out in the industry.

ServiceTitan, Aspire, FieldRoutes leaders tout opportunities, commitment 

Ara Mahdessian says, “Your success is our success.”

Mahdessian, a co-founder of ServiceTitan along with Vahe Kuzoyan, assured Aspire and FieldRoutes registrants at Ignite in Anaheim, Calif., of the correlation between customers’ happiness and their company’s own growth.

Mahdessian and Kuzoyan were joined on the main stage at the Anaheim Convention Center by Eli Zevin, general manager for Aspire, and Dylan Henryson, general manager of FieldRoutes, for a fireside chat hosted by outgoing Aspire CEO and co-founder Mark Tipton.

“This is mission-critical software,” Mahdessian said of customers using Aspire and FieldRoutes. “This is their business. It is their livelihood. It is, in many cases, their name on the door. For us to earn their trust and partnership, that is a very sacred commitment. We will move mountains and  do everything it takes to make that partnership successful.”

Kuzoyan also stressed the importance of the software’s reliability for those partners.

"Aspire is critical to your business,” Kuzoyan said. “That criticality demands a very high standard of reliability. This is a top priority for ServiceTitan, and we're going to do whatever is necessary to get to a better place and stay there. This is personal."

Zevin reassured registrants that the Aspire team would continue to focus on helping customers improve their businesses and their lives. He also highlighted the industry's changing technology.

"There is an incredible opportunity to increase that impact over time and really in an accelerated way,” he said. 

Henryson showcased the capabilities that FieldRoutes customers, but also Aspire customers in their industry, will have because of the brand’s partnership with ServiceTitan.

"I see us working closer and closer with ServiceTitan,” Henryson said, “tapping into their insight, tapping into the resources, and working together to be the operating system of the trades. That opportunity is immense.”

In discussing AI, Mahdessian chose to use a broader term, automation, rather than simply artificial intelligence as he stressed ServiceTitan’s commitment to all of its customers.

"Our goal is to make the greatest level of investment in automation, in capabilities, in powerful tools for our customers than any other entity," Mahdessian said. "Our level of investment is probably 5-10x what anybody else is doing. Make sure that our customers have the most advanced capabilities to win in their markets."

Then, Kuzoyan said, it’s imperative for businesses to leverage the available tools.

"The way our businesses are going to run is going to change,” he said. “On one hand, the trades are incredibly well-positioned to be able to benefit from the emergence of this technology. But to benefit, you have to then use the technology and bring it in to change how you operate. That goes far beyond just the technology itself. It's how the technology dances with your team, dances with your customers. There are reasons to be very excited and reasons to be very concerned. In the battle for the trades, a knife fight is slowly turning into a gun fight. Don't be caught with a knife in a gun fight.”

Mahdessian said industries at the highest risk for negative impact from AI are those using human cognitive processes. Industries involving some physical labor, such as machine assembly in factories, also will feel impact. 

He sees an advantage, though, for service industries such as landscaping and pest control.

"It's highly cognitive, but also physical, you've got to be there in person, there's a lot of human interaction, there's a lot of human empathy, and the environment is different every time," he said. "So congratulations, you guys are last on the list. You are in the best position possible."