Frequently Asked Questions

What is ECHO Means Business? 
ECHO Means Business (EMB) is a community committed to advancing the green industry. Sponsored by ECHO Incorporated, our program provides valuable educational content designed to help professional landscapers, arborists, and grounds maintenance professionals grow and thrive in their businesses. With a focus on practical insights and industry expertiseEMB is here to support your success every step of the way. 

Isn't it just a place to sell ECHO products? 
Not at all. The EMB community—through our website and social media platforms—is designed to support professionals in growing their businesses through peer-to-peer conversations, knowledge-sharing, and valuable content. While ECHO sponsors the program, many of the topics discussed go beyond product promotion. It’s a space where industry experts connect and share insights that help everyone thrive, whether or not ECHO products are involved. Importantly, none of our UAG members are compensated for the content they create; their contributions come from a place of passion and a genuine desire to help others succeed. 

What's the UAG Program? 
The User Advisory Group (UAG) is a dedicated, 100% volunteer team of landscapers, arborists, and grounds maintenance professionals. Made up of passionate users of various products and brands, UAG members generously share their real-world experiences of starting, building, and managing their businesses with other professionals.  

In addition to inspiring and educating the community, the UAG provides independent, objective feedback and end-user testing to help ECHO USA better understand the needs of industry professionals and enhance the products and services that support them.

Membership is open to anyone in the industry. Application for membership is accepted and membership is renewed annually. 

UAG members are not paid to support or promote any brand and are not obligated to use or advocate for any product. They share their expertise and experiences to mentor and support fellow pros. 


Does the UAG get paid to promote ECHO products, or to be part of the program? 
No, the UAG members are all volunteers and do not receive any monetary compensation for creating content. The focus of the UAG is about providing insights to help the professional community grow and succeed. 

Why don't the UAG get paid? I've heard other programs pay their influencers.
While we can’t speak for other programs, the UAG program is completely volunteer-based. We believe this approach fosters authenticity and ensures that all feedback and opinions shared are genuine. By encouraging members to contribute freely, we maintain an environment where the focus is on providing honest reviews and valuable business advice. This helps our members fulfill the UAG program's core mission: to improve the industry and support professionals at all levels in growing their businesses.

Do I need to be a mega influencer on social media to become a UAG member? 
No, membership in the UAG is not based on your social media following or presence. Instead, it’s about your passion for educating others and growing the community. Some UAG members are just beginning their social media journey, and through the support and expertise of fellow members, they are building their audience to share valuable knowledge with a broader group. The focus is on contributing to the community, not just having a large following. 

Do So how do I get to be a part of the UAG? 
Members of the UAG—our community leaders and mentors—are selected to reflect the diverse nature of the lawn and landscape industry. As a mentorship-driven group, it’s essential that we represent the full breadth of the community.  

Membership is not determined by being the best lawn care expert or having the most years of experience. Instead, it’s based on a range of factors, including a proven commitment to mentoring others, professionalism, integrity, and the ability to offer unique perspectives that resonate with and support the entire community we serve. 

Applications to the program open each fall and new members are selected before the year ends.  

in the UAG is not based on your social media following