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 Education, innovation, leadership and connection filled three days in San Antonio and set the stage for a new chapter in Houston. View all photos here: https://ismaelphoto.pixieset.com/tnla8128132026/ August 11–13, 2026 • Henry B. González Convention Center • San Antonio, Texas From the first education sessions on Tuesday morning to the final conversations on the trade show floor Thursday afternoon, Nursery/Landscape EXPO 2026 showed what it means to be Born to Win. Landscapers, irrigators, retail garden centers, suppliers, growers, designers, educators and emerging professionals came together to sharpen their skills, discover new solutions and strengthen the relationships that move Texas’ green industry forward. The three-day event paired practical learning with hands-on demonstrations, a busy exhibit floor, leadership and professional recognition, advocacy support and the kind of informal conversation that often becomes the beginning of the next partnership, purchase or big idea. Education set the paceTuesday Education Day opened EXPO with a full slate of continuing education and business training. Sessions met professionals where they work, with content for irrigation, landscape operations, nursery production, retail, design, arboriculture, workforce development and company leadership. Attendees explored irrigation flow monitoring, drought planning and drainage; standard operating procedures, employment branding and leadership accountability; Texas plants, pest management, soil genomics and tree health; and practical business topics such as hardscape profitability and new service-line growth. A full-day design graphics workshop gave participants hands-on practice communicating ideas, while other sessions connected growers and designers, translated campus-scale vision into built landscapes and examined the details that carry a project from concept through construction. The learning continued on the show floor Wednesday and Thursday. Demonstrations and short-form sessions covered AI-powered takeoffs, customer service that supports sales, irrigation technology, tree injection, propagation of adaptable Texas plants, CAD planning, biophilic design and workforce development. Together, the classroom and demonstration formats gave attendees multiple ways to learn, earn CEUs and bring practical ideas back to their teams. A first look for first-time attendeesBefore the trade show floor opened Wednesday, 60 first-time attendees joined the Newcomers Tour more than double the 28 participants who joined the previous year. The guided preview helped newcomers get oriented, understand the show’s layout and identify the exhibitors, education areas and gathering spaces most relevant to their goals. That early access mattered. Once the opening ceremonies concluded and the exhibit halls came to life, attendees had two days to compare products, talk directly with suppliers, watch live demonstrations and reconnect with colleagues from across the state. Connections that go beyond the show floorEXPO has always been about more than products and presentations. Tuesday evening’s Women in Horticulture Nightcap created an informal place to connect after Education Day, and Wednesday’s Women in Horticulture Get Together welcomed 300 attendees. Stephanie Hertzog, President, West Region, at SiteOne Landscape Supply, joined the gathering as featured speaker. Attendees heard from an industry leader, made new connections and supported TNLA PAC through the raffle of a Jon Hart 360 Carry-On Bag. The event reflected the energy of a growing network that is creating more opportunities for women to lead, learn and support one another across the green industry. At the close of Wednesday’s show hours, the Welcome to San Antonio Party gave attendees and exhibitors a chance to relax and socialize after a full day of conversations, demonstrations and business on the floor. The Certified Professionals’ Reception followed, recognizing the credentialed professionals whose ongoing education and expertise strengthen the standards of the industry. Recognizing creativity on the trade show floorContinuing a long-standing EXPO tradition, the Best Booth Awards, selected by the EXPO Chair, recognized exhibitors whose displays stood out for presentation, creativity and attendee experience. Congratulations to the 2026 honorees:
A new year of TNLA leadership Thursday morning’s Annual Business Meeting gave members a chance to look back, recognize service and begin the Association’s new fiscal year with purpose. Sponsored by Abbott-IPCO, the meeting featured TNLA’s Year in Review video and highlighted the collective work of members whose businesses contribute to a Texas green industry with a $40 billion economic impact. TNLA thanked departing board members Jackie Smith, Absolute Accents, Inc.; Gerry Bower, TLC Total Lawn Care; Ben Collinsworth, Yellowstone Landscape; Mark Manny, EverGro Organic Recycling; Robbie Aballama, ICL Growing Solutions; and Bobby Eichholz, Rialto Studio, for the time, perspective and leadership they contributed to the Association. The gavel then passed from Immediate Past Chair Devin Guinn to 2026–2027 Chair Kyle Cahill. Cahill challenged members to stay involved through their regions, education, advocacy and the conversations that shape the industry’s future. The message was clear: a strong, unified industry voice depends on professionals who continue to show up and lead. 2026–2027 TNLA Board of Directors Advocacy in actionTNLA PAC support was visible throughout EXPO from the PAC Lounge and Women in Horticulture raffle to Thursday’s PAC drawing. These contributions help the Texas green industry maintain a strong voice and build the relationships needed to engage on the policies that affect member businesses, their employees and their customers. Diamond Members — $2,000+Diamond members are also Platinum members by default.  Additional Platinum Members — $500+ Listed in addition to the Diamond members recognized above.  Gold Star Companies Four participating individuals from one company; minimum $50 each.  Silver Star Companies Three participating individuals from one company; minimum $50 each.  Bronze Star Companies Two participating individuals from one company; minimum $50 each.  Thank you to the sponsors who made EXPO possible EXPO’s education, attendee services, special events, professional recognition and show-floor experiences are strengthened by companies and partners willing to invest in the industry. TNLA extends its appreciation to the 2026 sponsors and in-kind contributors listed below. 2026 EXPO sponsors and in-kind contributors Next stop: HoustonThe next Nursery/Landscape EXPO will bring the industry back to Houston, August 18–20, 2027, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The 2027 theme, Where Vision Meets Magic, celebrates the extraordinary community that makes the green industry unlike any other. Landscapers, irrigators, retail garden centers, suppliers and growers share a remarkable ability to transform vision into living, working and gathering spaces that are both functional and breathtaking. When the right people come together, EXPO becomes more than a trade show. It becomes a place where ideas take root, relationships grow and possibilities become real. Save the date: August 18–20, 2027 • Houston, Texas Watch for updates at NurseryLandscapeEXPO.org. 
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Companies that invest in workforce development are better positioned to grow. Explore TNLA's education pathways, certifications, and online training designed specifically for Texas landscape professionals How the Right Connection Can Help You Solve Problems Faster When people think about attending a tradeshow, they often focus on the education sessions, exhibits, or products on the show floor. Those things matter. But ask long-time industry professionals why they keep coming back to Nursery/Landscape EXPO, and you’ll often hear a different answer: The people For Billy Long, Past TNLA Chair and longtime industry leader, the value of EXPO comes down to relationships.
In an industry where businesses are working through labor challenges, supplier changes, rising costs, and day-to-day problem-solving, having the right people to call can make a real difference. Sometimes the answer isn’t found online. Sometimes it’s found in a conversation. Why It Matters The right connection can help you:
As Billy puts it: That is one of the reasons EXPO continues to matter. More Than Information. It’s Access. Information is easy to find. What is harder to find is context.
"The value isn’t just attending. The value is knowing who to call when you need help" The relationships built at EXPO often continue long after the show ends. Why Industry Professionals Keep Coming Back
As more growers focus on serving large retailers and national accounts, independent businesses often have to work harder to find unique products, new suppliers, and trusted partners. That’s one reason Mark continues to invest in EXPO. 
"We have probably increased our business with new growers, liner companies, and suppliers by about 80%" And while products and trends may change over time, one thing has not. As Mark puts it: “I go there to meet my people.” Simple. But powerful. Because business is still built on relationships. Join the Conversation The education, exhibits, and events are important parts of EXPO. But some of the most valuable takeaways may come from a conversation you didn’t expect to have.
Join us August 11–13 in San Antonio and discover the value of one conversation. Make plans to join us for the TNLA Annual Business Meeting during EXPO! At this important gathering, you’ll:
Can't make it?We'll be LIVE STREAMING the event on our Nursery/Landscape EXPO Facebook page. Make sure you follow us for live updates on the tradeshow floor! Need to register for Expo?For Exhibitor questions, please contact [email protected] or call 512-579-3864. For Registration questions, please call 512-280-5182 ext 3876 or email [email protected].  The green industry has always been relationship-driven. Even with emails, online ordering, and virtual meetings, there’s still value in shaking someone’s hand, walking the tradeshow floor together, and having conversations face-to-face. That’s one reason EXPO continues to matter year after year. Not just because of products or education, but because it creates space for the kinds of conversations that happen differently in person.  Real Industry PerspectiveMore Than The Tradeshow FloorSome of the most valuable moments at EXPO happen:
That kind of connection still matters. Bottom LineIn a relationship-driven industry, face-to-face interaction still plays an important role. Sometimes one conversation, one introduction, or one shared perspective can stay with you long after EXPO ends. That’s why so many people continue making EXPO part of their year.
The companies staying competitive right now aren’t standing still. They’re investing in:
What Teams Bring Back From EXPO  Real Industry Perspective
Bottom Line The companies adapting fastest are usually the ones:
Questions?For Exhibitor questions, please contact [email protected] or call 512-579-3864.
For Registration questions, please call 512-280-5182 ext 3876 or email [email protected].
How to View This Update:
Click the + button to zoom in. If part of the page is cut off, click on the page and slide it left or right to see more. On a phone or tablet, use two fingers to zoom in and move around the page. Any links you see are clickable. For the best view, click the full screen icon (⛶) in the bottom right. Want a copy? Click the download button to save it. (to the left of the magnifying glass)  TNLA is now accepting applications for 1–2 Student Social Media Ambassadors to help capture the experience at Nursery/Landscape EXPO 2026. What Is EXPO? Nursery/Landscape EXPO is one of the largest events in the country for professionals in landscaping, plant production, garden centers, and outdoor spaces. It brings together businesses from across the industry to connect, learn, and grow. About the Opportunity This role is designed for students who are interested in marketing, communications, or content creation and want real-world experience in a live event setting. Selected students will help capture EXPO in real time through:
Why Apply? This is more than just a volunteer opportunity, it’s a chance to:
Who Should Apply This opportunity is a great fit for students who are:
Event Details📍 San Antonio, Texas 📅 August 11–13, 2026 nurserylandscapeexpo.org How to Apply Applications are now open. 👉 Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dfuMZY3U6Ei5zBYgTvHoXzQYAbjbsBpCqTURSaWKJoRUM1lOTlVRNzRLVDYxR0ZLV0NRSU9JSlJJNy4u Know Someone Who Would Be a Good Fit? We encourage members, employers, and educators to share this opportunity with students who may be interested. Questions? |
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