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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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Built on Convenience, Relationships, and Growth When you walk into Southwest Wholesale Nursery in Dallas, one thing becomes clear right away, this business is built around the customer. Or better yet… the customer never has to “walk in” at all. A Simpler Way to Serve Landscape Professionals At Southwest Wholesale Nursery, landscape contractors pull up, are greeted by name, and get exactly what they need—loaded right into their truck. No lines. No confusion. No wasted time. Owner, Steven Taber TMCNP, explained it best: “You could go to the grocery store and cook… but sometimes you just want the convenience of a restaurant.” That mindset has shaped their entire operation.  🌿 What Makes Southwest Different Southwest Wholesale Nursery has grown into a trusted resource for professionals across Texas by focusing on a few key things: ✔ Variety that contractors need They source plant material from across the country—including Texas, Oklahoma, California, North Carolina, and Oregon—so customers have more options in one place. ✔ Built for real-world workflows Everything is designed around how landscape professionals actually work—fast, efficient, and relationship-driven. ✔ Strong team and culture With around 100 employees, their team builds real relationships with customers. Many regulars even have a “go-to” staff member. 📈 Evolving with the Industry Southwest Wholesale Nursery isn’t just growing plants, they’re improving how they operate. In 2023, they made a simple but powerful shift: ➡️ Moving from paper tracking to a shared digital system employees can access from their phones. This allows their team to quickly see:
🌎 Growing the Next Generation Many new graduates say they want to work for growers but not all growing operations offer broad experience. Southwest Wholesale Nursery stands out because employees get exposure to a wide variety of plant material, helping them build real, practical knowledge. 🚜 Looking Ahead Currently operating on 30 of their 60 acres, Southwest Wholesale Nursery is already thinking about the future. With potential expansion opportunities nearby, they’re planning ahead, not just for growth, but also to address challenges like on-site flooding. 🤝 A True TNLA Partner Southwest Wholesale Nursery isn’t just a member, they’re a Strategic Partner, contributing over $30,000 in 2025 alone to support TNLA programs and events. That investment helps strengthen the entire industry.  💬 Join the Conversation Have you worked with Southwest Wholesale Nursery? 👉 Share your experience in the comments or connect with other professionals inside TNLA Hive.
If your inbox has been feeling a little busy lately, you’re not alone. Some TNLA members have reached out saying they’re receiving more emails than expected from TNLA Hive and other TNLA communications. We completely understand — and the good news is you’re in control of what you receive. There are two simple ways to reduce emails:
Below is how to do both Option 1: Adjust Your TNLA Hive Notification SettingsTNLA Hive allows you to customize what notifications you receive and how often you receive them. For example, you can choose whether you receive emails about:
Members can also choose to receive a summary digest instead of individual emails, which reduces the number of messages in your inbox. Hive digests combine recent activity into one email so you can stay informed without multiple alerts. How to Update Your Settings Follow these quick steps: Step 1 Go to thehive.tnlaonline.org and log in. Step 2 Click your profile picture in the top right corner. Step 3 Select My Settings. Step 4 Click the Notifications tab. From there, you can choose exactly which alerts you want to receive. 📺 Watch our quick tutorial here: https://youtube.com/shorts/84TkgJtf19M?si=nn0h-zkVWs_Wzm8O Option 2: Unsubscribe from Certain TNLA Email ListsSome emails you receive may not come directly from TNLA Hive. TNLA also sends communications about education programs, events, and industry updates. If you would like to unsubscribe from specific TNLA email lists, we can update your preferences for you. Simply email: [email protected] Let us know which emails you would like to stop receiving, such as:
We’re happy to adjust your preferences so you receive only the information that matters most to you. Why TNLA Created TNLA Hive One of the main reasons TNLA launched TNLA Hive was to make communication simpler for members. Many members told us they didn’t always know everything TNLA was doing. TNLA Hive was created as a central place where members can easily see news, resources, opportunities, and conversations happening across the industry. Instead of updates coming from multiple places, TNLA Hive brings them together in one convenient hub, including:
Need Help? We’re Here.If you need help adjusting your notification settings or updating your email preferences, we’re happy to assist. Just email: [email protected] We can walk you through it in just a few minutes. Stay Connected — Your WayTNLA Hive was designed to help you:
We heard you. Members told us they were missing emails, getting too many updates, or finding it hard to track down what mattered most. You wanted one simple place where everything TNLA lives — news, tools, discussions, and networking. So we built it. 💡 Meet TNLA Hive, our brand-new online community for the Texas Green Industry. It’s like Facebook — but just for TNLA members and Green Industry professionals. Whether you’re a grower, landscaper, retailer, irrigation pro, or supplier, TNLA Hive is your digital home base to connect, learn, and stay informed 365 days a year. 💬 Why We Created TNLA Hive Our members are the heart of everything we do. Over the past few years, we’ve heard common feedback:
TNLA Hive brings all of that together — one login, one community, one easy-to-use platform. You can access Hive on your computer or through our mobile app, making it easy to check in no matter where you are — in the field, at the office, or on the road. What You’ll Find Inside TNLA HiveOnce you log in, you’ll see everything TNLA — all in one place: ⚖️ Legislative & Regulatory Updates — Stay informed on key issues like H-2A, water policy, and more. 🌿 Groups for Every Interest — Join spaces like Women in Horticulture, Leadership Bootcamp, Certification Professionals, and your Regional Chapter. 🎓 Education & CEUs — Access upcoming webinars, workshops, and professional development opportunities. 💼 Job Board — Find or post open positions in the Texas Green Industry. 📰 News & Blogs — Read the latest TNLA updates, member stories, and industry insights. It’s all right at your fingertips — no digging through emails or searching multiple pages How to Get StartedIt’s easy to join in! 1️⃣ Go to thehive.tnlaonline.org 2️⃣ Log in using your TNLA account (or create one if you’re new!) 3️⃣ Join a group, post a question, or introduce yourself in the Live Feed Prefer to use your phone? Download the TNLA Hive app from your app store. 📱 🎥 Need a little guidance? Watch our quick Youtube Tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of how to log in and get started. 👉 https://youtu.be/1Qsrx0D6Rck?si=hBMHTpBXE3uwYnr 🌻 A Community Built for You TNLA Hive was built to make it easier for you to connect, learn, and grow — all year long. Whether you want to discuss new irrigation technology, connect with other women in horticulture, or find your next great hire, Hive is the place to do it.
Because when we’re connected, our members — and our industry — grow stronger. 🌿 👉 Log in today: thehive.tnlaonline.or |
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September 2026
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