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TNLA is thrilled to introduce our new "Working for You" Blog!
Stay updated on member events and news that impact the TNLA community. In addition, check out our Green Matters Weekly Newsletter for industry news |
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Next year, the Texas green industry will begin working with a new Texas Agriculture Commissioner. But TNLA is not waiting until January to start building that relationship. Recently, the TNLA PAC hosted Republican nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Nate Sheets at a member nursery to introduce him to our industry, our businesses, and the issues impacting nursery and landscape professionals across the state.  TNLA PAC Board members meet with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Republican nominee Nate Sheets to share the priorities and challenges facing the Texas green industry. The conversation was about building a relationship for the future. It was understood that it would take more than just one meeting. It was about making sure the leaders who will make decisions affecting our industry understand who we are, the challenges we face, and the important role our members play in Texas. That is what the TNLA PAC helps make possible. Your TNLA membership supports the advocacy work we do every day.
Your TNLA PAC contribution helps build and strengthen the relationships that make that advocacy more effective. When decisions are being made about water, workforce, regulations, and the future of Texas agriculture, our industry needs to already have a seat at the table. Help us continue building relationships today that protect the future of the Texas green industry.
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Protecting Our Industry Starts Before Decisions Are Made
It happens through relationships, education, and ongoing conversations with the leaders making decisions that impact our businesses, employees, and communities. That's why TNLA PAC exists. Why Advocacy Matters Every day, decisions are being made at the state and local levels that affect the future of our industry. Some involve water infrastructure and conservation policies. Others impact workforce development, business regulations, transportation, land use, or the tools and resources our members rely on to operate successfully. The reality is simple: If our industry isn't part of those conversations, someone else will be. TNLA PAC helps ensure the green industry has a voice in those discussions and the opportunity to build relationships with decision-makers before important decisions are made. Our Industry Has a Story Worth Telling Texas' nursery and landscape industry contributes far more than beautiful landscapes. Our members create jobs, support local economies, improve communities, conserve natural resources, and help make Texas a better place to live and work. But many policymakers have never operated a nursery, managed a landscape company, installed irrigation systems, or experienced the challenges of running a green industry business. They don't automatically understand:
That understanding happens through education and relationships. And those relationships don't happen overnight. Building Relationships Before They're Needed One of the biggest misconceptions about advocacy is that it only happens when there's a problem. In reality, the most effective advocacy often happens before members ever hear about an issue.
These conversations happen because our industry invests in building relationships before they're needed. Advocacy Creates Real Results Strong advocacy doesn't happen by accident. It happens because industry professionals choose to invest their time, energy, and resources in ensuring the green industry has a seat at the table. Those efforts have helped TNLA:
That's the value of being proactive. Investing in the Future As we look toward the 2027 legislative session, the need for strong advocacy remains as important as ever. Water availability, workforce development, regulatory pressures, and industry education will continue to shape the future of Texas' green industry. The relationships we build today help shape the conversations we'll have tomorrow. That's why TNLA PAC matters. It's not simply about supporting a political action committee. It's about helping ensure our industry has a voice, a seat at the table, and an opportunity to help shape decisions that affect our future. Help Strengthen Our Voice If your business has benefited from a stronger voice for the green industry, consider supporting TNLA PAC. Your investment helps build relationships, strengthen advocacy efforts, and ensure our industry remains engaged in the conversations that matter most. Together, we can continue building a stronger future for Texas' green industry. TNLA PAC supports state candidates who understand and advocate for Texas' green industry. Political contributions to TNLA PAC must be made from personal funds Make Your Voice Heard: Key Election Dates and Endorsed Candidates
Early voting for the November General Election begins Monday, October 21st. It’s crucial for members of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) to get involved, as local, state, and federal decisions directly impact our industry. Policies regarding water usage, land management, and environmental regulations can influence our business operations and sustainability. By participating in the voting process, TNLA members can help shape legislation that safeguards their interests, promotes fair regulations, and fosters growth and innovation for Texas’s nursery and landscape sector. Important Election Dates
The TNLA PAC has endorsed candidates who understand our industry’s challenges. Support these candidates to ensure TNLA’s voice is represented in the legislature: Texas Senate
Make sure your voice is heard—vote and support our industry! For more information on how to get involved with advocacy efforts, please contact TNLA Staff Curtis Smith by emailing him at [email protected] TNLA held our annual Nursery/Landscape EXPO tradeshow at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX, and the sense of community was truly heartwarming. It was inspiring to see so many dedicated professionals from the Texas Green Industry come together to network, share knowledge, and explore new opportunities. The event brought record-breaking attendance, showing just how committed we all are to the growth and success of our industry. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and passion. Together, we Aimed high, Dreamed big, and Achieved so much. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey with us and we can't wait to see you all next year same place, in San Antonio, TX at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center with NEW DATES: Aug 5-7th, 2025. EXPO Education Education kicked us off on Wednesday Aug 14, 2024 and you all packed the sessions! We had to get more seats for you all!! We offered a total of 80 sessions throughout the week, 70.5 TNLA CEU Hours, 41 demos, for the first time we provided a 4-hr two wire training on the show floor.    If you wanted to attend some of the sessions but could not make it, don’t worry, EXPO recorded a variety which will be available for purchase soon including not limited to the following:
 EXPO Gardens A heartfelt thank you to Tarrant County College for creating the designs. This was the students' final project of the semester, and we have to say—they knocked it out of the park! We also want to express our gratitude to Texas State, Texas A&M, and Palo Alto College for their invaluable help in bringing these designs to life. Special thanks to our contributing exhibitors!  Thursday, Aug 15, 2024 We kicked off Thursday with an exciting opening ceremony that featured a special performance by Mariachi Alma de Jalisco. The festivities continued as TNLA's current Chair of the Board, Bobby Eichholz, officially opened the tradeshow floor with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. We want to extend a special thanks to Kip and Brock from Athens Tree Farm for sponsoring this tradeshow, and to Chase Kinney and the entire team at KBW Supply for providing the greenhouse at our entrance.    Exhibitors You all sold us out, we had over 100 new exhibitors this year and had to start a waiting list! We are beyond honored that you put your trust in us to help you grow your business. Breakdown: Total Booths on the Tradeshow Floor – 934 (5% increase from 2023) Total # of Exhibiting Companies – 453 (7% increase from 2023) Total # of Sponsoring Companies – 52 The tradeshow floor was spectacular!  Congratulations to this year’s best booth winners: Everde Growers  Whiz-Q-Stone Whittlesey Landscape Supplies Dewar Nurseries Green Lake Nursery The Ground Up Women in Hort Get Together We had an amazing time at the Women in Horticulture gathering! A special thank you to Representative Mary Gonzalez for joining us and discussing the vital role of women in horticulture and the importance of making our voices heard in the legislative arena. If you missed it, you can watch the live-stream anytime on our Nursery/Landscape EXPO Facebook page or by clicking HERE     Special Thank You To Our Sponsors  Welcome Party We wrapped up the evening with our exciting Welcome to San Antonio Party! Attendees enjoyed live music by XFactory, fun giveaways, and the chance to relax with delicious bites and drinks. A special thank you to our sponsors, Living Earth and Everde Growers, for making it all possible.     Thank You To the rest of our Sponsors Food Sponsor Centerpiece Sponsor Table Sponsors
Certification Reception Certified Professionals got to enjoy a dedicated reception where they got to mingle with other industry professionals.    Friday, Aug 17, 2024 Annual Business Meeting We started the last day of EXPO with our Annual Business Meeting. What is this? It is an opportunity for the Association to conduct essential business, report its accomplishments to the members, and kick off the new fiscal year. We are honored to share with you some of the initiatives TNLA engaged in with the support of our members. Amy Graham, President/CEO of TNLA, presented the County Agent Award to David Ramirez and introduced the 2024-2025 TNLA Board of Directors. The meeting concluded with our annual Year In Review. You can watch the live stream of the Annual Business Meeting HERE and view the Year In Review below TNLA Booth  Membership We had a record-breaking number of new memberships sign up during the show! We are thrilled about the future of TNLA Membership and are committed to providing valuable opportunities for continuing education, advocacy, and business success.  Both members and non-members enjoyed fun giveaways at our booth. Congratulations to Matt Thomas from Spring Creek Growers for winning the RTIC Cooler raffle! Many attendees took home our EXPO T-shirts, and we loved hearing your positive feedback on the graphic design.  Thank you to our Membership Jeopardy Sponsors     TNLA PAC At this year's Nursery/Landscape EXPO, the TNLA PAC Trustees went above and beyond in demonstrating the critical role of our Political Action Committee. Their dedication and outreach highlighted the significant impact of our PAC in supporting legislative efforts that benefit our industry. Every year TNLA PAC raises crucial funds to support our industry’s interests. we want to thank our Diamond Recognized and Gold Star Companies for their incredible support of the TNLA Political Action Committee (PAC). Diamond Recognized: Those who donated $500 or more from an individual. · Bob Cartwright · Bonnick Landscaping · Bruce Miller Nurseries · Calloway's Nursery · Cedar Creek Farms · Creekside Nursery · Dry Creek Tree Farm · Everde · Harry's Greenhouse · Houston Garden Centers · KBW Supply · Krause Landscape · Landmark Nurseries · Living Earth · Mark Rose · Mortellaro's · Roundtree Landscaping · Saxon Becnel & Sons · Southwest Wholesale Nursery · Superscapes Inc. · Vital Earth Gold Star Companies: Companies that had four or more individuals donate at least $50 · KBW Supply · Landmark · Living Earth · Monarch Landscape · Mortellaro’s Nursery · Rancho Encino · Southwest Nursery · TNLA · Vital Earth Thanks to the unwavering support of our TNLA members, we are thrilled to announce that our PAC has achieved a record-breaking fundraising milestone. This remarkable accomplishment underscores our members' commitment to advancing our industry’s interests. Congratulations to the raffle winner, Steven Akers with Back to Nature, for winning a Beretta Shotgun!  The funds raised will be used to support political candidates who advocate for the green industry, ensuring our voice is heard in legislative discussions and promoting favorable policies. Our PAC's success reflects our members' dedication to political advocacy. Thank you for your support—together, we're shaping a positive future for our industry. Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved with the TNLA PAC. To learn more on how you can help, reach out to Curtis Smith Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) [email protected] See You all next Year! Booth sales are now open, please contact Amy Prenger at [email protected] for more information. Next year's theme is "Renaissance Fair," embodying a blend of Knights of the Round Table and Medieval vibes. The tagline, "Together Towards Tomorrow," reflects the collective journey towards a new future. This theme arose as the industry reflected on the need to approach familiar tasks in new ways and come together to forge a shared path in this new reality. Can't wait to see what you all do with the theme, until next year keep an eye out for updates on the nurserylandscapeexpo.org website! Registration goes live April 1, 2025!  TNLA Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Curtis Smith and Steve Taber, TNLA PAC Committee Board Member, discuss TNLA PAC's vital role in advocating for the green industry. They highlight how members can engage, have their voices heard, and support the industry through involvement in TNLA PAC and upcoming fundraising efforts at the tradeshow.
Of course, your company is a star, but you can help it become a TNLA PAC Star Company by donating to the TNLA PAC today. At every Nursery/Landscape EXPO, we honor businesses with multiple employees who donate to the TNLA PAC. This year, we are excited to introduce a new recognition level: “Diamond Companies.” These are companies where an individual employee donates at least $500.
Why Donate to the TNLA PAC?Donating to the TNLA PAC is about empowering our industry's collective voice in policymaking. It ensures lawmakers understand the unique challenges and opportunities our sector faces. By supporting the PAC, you contribute to shaping legislation that promotes fair competition, innovation, and economic growth. It's an investment in creating a positive regulatory environment that benefits all stakeholders, from businesses to consumers. Ultimately, it's about actively participating in shaping a future where our industry thrives and plays a vital role in the broader economic landscape. Recognition Levels for PAC Star Companies- Bronze Star– 2 individuals from the company donate at least $50 each - Silver Star – 3 individuals from the company donate at least $50 each - Gold Star – 4 individuals from the company donate at least $50 each TNLA PAC Star Companies will be recognized at the Nursery/Landscape EXPO PAC Lounge. How Can Your Company Become a Star Company?
Important Note: By law, TNLA PAC is prohibited from accepting corporate donations for political purposes. Contributions must be made by individuals, sole proprietorships, or partnerships without corporate ownership. Contributions are not tax-deductible. Join us in making a difference. Help your company become a TNLA PAC Star Company and enjoy the benefits of recognition and advocacy for our industry! Who:
TNLA staff: Amy Graham, CEO/President, Curtis Smith, TNLA’s new Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Kim Cabrera, TNLA’s Membership and Marketing Manager, alongside Steve Taber, owner of Southwest Wholesale Nursery, and Todd Kinney, General Manager of KBW Supply, recently convened to strategize for the Political Action Committee’s (PAC) Raffle and Donation Items at the 2024 TNLA Nursery Landscape Expo in San Antonio, scheduled for August. What is PAC? For those unfamiliar with the Political Action Committee (PAC), it is the sole PAC supporting the green industry. Its mission? TNLA helps push for allies and support champions who advocate for the industry's interests in public office to be elected. Your participation matters. By contributing auction items for the 2024 TNLA PAC Auction held at EXPO, you bolster the PAC's ability to advocate for the Texas green industry. Interested in donating? You can give directly by donating to TNLA PAC By Clicking HERE. Contact Curtis Smith at [email protected] or (512) 579-3851 for details. Lastly, TNLA PAC is collecting items for the PAC Auction at EXPO. Email Curtis Smith at [email protected] or call him at (512) 579-3851 to complete a donation form. Call To Action Visit nurserylandscapeexpo.org for more information about the TNLA 2024 Nursery/Landscape Expo. Want to learn more about the PAC and its initiatives? Head over to https://www.tnlaonline.org/tnla-political-action-committee.html. Your involvement shapes the future of the green industry more than you know. Hope to see you at show! |
AuthorKim Cabrera, TNLA Marketing Manager Archives
July 2026
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