Come learn with Jason Bornhorst from WillowVersity in this fun and interactive class exploring Plants to Know: Designing for Today's Client. Discover the must-know plants for 2026 – from exciting new introductions to classic favorites making a comeback in the landscape. Jason will guide you through the latest trends in plant selection and how to use them effectively in modern designs.
Session Description coming soon!
For over two decades, John Kennedy has been speaking and consulting to the independent garden center community, and has created a process to drive relevance, revenue and relationships with your customers…one interaction at a time. John will share his toolbox with the audience to allow them to follow a simple and effective process to delivering an exceptional and consistent customer experience.
Whether you are in the field as a foremen or part of a successful install or maintenance crew, the same challenges exist that stop companies from going for good to great—Effective Communication. Join John Kennedy as he helps break down these barriers and open up the chain of command and lines of communication with effective techniques for techs and listening skills for leaders. The outcome will be a clear approach to communication that is supported by a memorable exercise you will want to take back to your teams.
The health of your garden retail business and the health of your body are very similar. Each have key performance indicators (KPI’s) that make all the difference when it comes to creating a business and a body that is built to last.
This popular program will be presented with a fresh approach this year. Previous attendees are encouraged to register, as they will benefit from assessing their progress. Managers of crew leaders are also highly encouraged to attend to optimize their ROI.
Each growing season brings distinct challenges for turf management. In 2025, prolonged heat and humidity increased disease pressure, followed by late-season heat and drought that stressed turf and amplified grub damage. This presentation will review key disease, insect, and weed issues from 2025 and outline cultural practices and pesticide strategies for maintaining high-quality turf.
All trees pose some level of risk. Fortunately, tree failures are uncommon—but when they happen, the results can be serious. This presentation explores the conditions that increase the likelihood of failure and other factors considered when assessing tree risk.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” - but what happens when prevention isn’t an option? This session addresses how construction activities impact soils and trees and presents real-world examples of mitigation measures.
Blending hardscapes and softscapes is about creating harmonious relationships within the landscape. These relationships connect design principles with spatial organization to produce a cohesive composition that enhances both the aesthetic appeal and functional performance of the space.
Let’s explore how the hard and soft elements of a landscape interact to form a balanced and engaging environment.