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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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Over the past few weeks, we've shared why TNLA PAC exists and how it helps protect and advance Texas' green industry. From building relationships with policymakers to supporting pro-industry candidates, those efforts only happen because industry members choose to invest. Now it's your turn. Supporting TNLA PAC doesn't require writing a large check. There are several easy ways to get involved, and every contribution strengthens our industry's voice at the Capitol. Bid in the TNLA PAC Online Auction The TNLA PAC Online Auction is now open, and there are plenty of reasons to take a look. Whether you're searching for something unique for yourself, your family, or your business, you'll find a wide variety of items while supporting the advocacy efforts that protect Texas' green industry. Auction highlights include:
Buy Raffle Tickets Take a chance on winning a Benelli Super Black Eagle III Shotgun while supporting the work of TNLA PAC. It's one of the easiest ways to make a difference, and every ticket purchased helps strengthen our collective voice. Visit the PAC Lounge at EXPO Stop by the PAC Lounge during EXPO to connect with industry leaders, learn more about the issues affecting your business, and see firsthand how PAC investments help build relationships with elected officials and decision-makers. A $100 contribution to TNLA PAC includes access to the PAC Lounge throughout EXPO. Become a Gold Star Company One of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate your company's commitment to advocacy is by becoming a TNLA PAC Gold Star Company. Gold Star recognition is awarded to companies with at least four employees who each contribute $50 or more to TNLA PAC during the year. It recognizes businesses that encourage employee participation in the PAC and shows lawmakers that support for our industry comes from every level of the business, not just company leadership. Advocacy doesn't happen by accident. It happens because members like you choose to get involved. Whether you place a bid, buy a raffle ticket, visit the PAC Lounge, or help your company earn Gold Star recognition, your participation helps ensure the Texas green industry has a strong voice where decisions are made. The investment starts here. Thank you for being part of it 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 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.
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! |
AuthorTNLA Staff Archives
September 2026
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