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Michigan High School Agriscience teachers and students are invited to join us for our annual STUDENT DAY at the Great Lakes Trade Exposition!
Thursday, January 22, 2026
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI

The Introduction to the Green Industry Student Program will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 9:15a-1:30p.  This event is a great opportunity for students to experience the “real world” of the Green Industry, and is intended for those students interested in Horticulture, Landscape Design and/or Construction, Landscape Management, Growing nursery stock, Irrigation, Hardscape installation, etc.  Students will talk with real Industry professionals and learn what opportunities exist for them.  

What should you expect? 

• Name badges will be distributed so that you, your students, and your chaperones may attend the Trade Show at no charge. 
• A complimentary lunch will be served to both students and teachers.  
• Students will have the chance to attend industry education sessions and learn side-by-side with Green Industry professionals.
• Visit the 300+ booths at our Trade Show, representing all facets of the Green Industry from plants to equipment to computer software. This is a great chance for your students to gain practice in interacting in a professional environment. 

The schedule is as follows:
9:15-10:15a: Students choose from the following education sessions to attend:

• Quit Stressing Me Out! Coping with Abiotic Plant Issues (click HERE for session description) 
• From Pavement to Paradise: Retrofitting Parking Lots with Green Infrastructure in the Plaster Creek Watershed (click HERE for session description)
• Curb Appeal for Your Brand: How to Attract More Customers with Marketing that Works (click HERE for session description) 
• (9:15-11:30a) Landscape Design Charrette (click HERE for session description) 

10:30-11:30a: Students choose from the following education sessions to attend:  

• Everything You Wanted to Know About Trunk Injections (click HERE for session description) 
• Tips for Landscape Lighting Maintenance Agreements (click HERE for session description) 
• Empowering the Workforce: Apprenticeship Progress and Policy Updates (click HERE for session description)
• 9:15-11:30a) Landscape Design Charrette (click HERE for session description)

11:30a-12:00p: Students are provided with a complimentary boxed lunch, which they will enjoy while hearing from a variety of industry and education representatives, as they provide insight on their Green Industry careers and experiences.  

12:00-1:30p: Students have the opportunity to walk the trade show floor, visiting over 300 booths housing equipment, plants, software, etc.