Location: Fort Bend ISD
RSVP/Info: https://www.fortbendisd.com/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=761
Short and simple: show up, say hello, and be seen.

• Light lift—no major prep.
• Great chance to answer questions and spark interest in horticulture careers.
• Even a brief visit helps put our industry on students’ radar.

If you can swing by, please note it on the form above and [email protected] so we can track TNLA presence.

Showcase your best work and earn statewide recognition. The Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Awards are open now, with a deadline of September 29, 2025. Winners will be honored in January 2026 at the TNLA Awards Festival.

Why apply

• Industry credibility: Stand out as a leader in landscaping.
• Statewide promotion: Winners are highlighted across TNLA media and events.
• Team pride: Celebrate your crew’s craftsmanship and results.

How to apply (simple 3-step process)

1. Gather project photos — include before, during, and after to tell the full story.
2. Tell the story — outline challenges, solutions, and measurable results.
3. Submit online by Sept 29 — applications opened March 1, 2025.

Pro tips for stronger entries

• Assign someone to capture progress photos on every job.
• Highlight innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship—these elements stand out.

Apply here: TEIL
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Questions? Contact [email protected]

TNLA and Region VI are partnering up to conduct the West Texas Workshop on October 2-3, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. Schedule of events and pricing information coming soon. Sponsorships are available. For Questions Contact Remmington Holt at [email protected] or call ​(806) 477-2605.​

Recognize your team, elevate your brand, and put your best work in front of the statewide industry. The Texas Garden Retailer Awards (TGRA) are officially open—and the entry is quick and straightforward.

Why enter

• Credibility with customers and partners
• Recognition for your staff’s work
• Visibility you can leverage all year (web, social, in-store)

“This award is incredibly special because it acknowledges the hard work, passion, and dedication of our team.” — Mckenna Jenkins, Sales & Marketing Director, Alldredge Gardens

How to enter (takes about 20–30 minutes)

1. Take 5–10 photos of your store/displays
2. Complete the short entry form
3. Submit online by Sunday, Oct 5

Enter here: tnlaonline.org/tgra.html
Brochure: Texas Garden Retailer Awards 2025 Brochure 

Quick tips from the judges’ perspective

• Shoot on a bright day; include wide shots + close-ups of your best displays
• If you’ve got fall décor up, include it—seasonal touches help tell your story

Questions? Contact [email protected] and we’ll point you in the right direction.

TNLA is partnering with Texas programs to strengthen our talent pipeline and connect members with tomorrow’s workforce. We’re calling for volunteers to represent TNLA on-site and sponsors who’d like visibility with students, faculty, and industry partners. (Sponsors may plug their companies—logo on materials, brief intro, and swag—per host guidelines.)
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Dates: Oct 8–10, 2025 • Venue: Texas Tech International Cultural Center

Why attend: Three focused days where industry meets academia—recruit talent, judge research, mentor student teams, and build partnerships.

What’s happening

• Oct 8 – Davis College Career Fair (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
  Find internship and full-time candidates. Breakfast & lunch provided.
• Oct 9 – Research Showcase
  • 8:00 AM–1:00 PM: View faculty/grad presentations + keynote luncheon with researchers
  • 1:00–5:00 PM: Graduate student poster session (industry judges welcome)
  • ~5:00 PM: Poster awards & reception
• Oct 10 – Industry & Innovation Day
  Bring a real business challenge, mentor student teams, and hear pitches. Winning teams receive scholarships and potential commercialization support. Breakfast & lunch provided.

How you can help

• Volunteers: Staff the TNLA presence (2–4 hr shift), judge posters (Oct 9), or mentor teams (Oct 10).
• Sponsors/Donors: Help underwrite facilities, meals, and student scholarships; receive recognition and the chance to showcase your company.

Bonus: Stay for the excitement--Homecoming vs. Kansas on Oct 11.

Questions? Email Jeremiah Armstrong at [email protected] with subject “IRIS – Volunteer/Sponsor” and note your availability and company name.

Date/Time: Wed, Oct 29, 2025 • 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Location: Horticulture & Forest Science Building, Texas A&M University
(Optional networking the evening before: Tue, Oct 28, 6:00–8:00 PM.)

Why attend: Meet motivated students across nursery, landscape, wine, produce, floriculture, and related sectors; promote your company and open roles.

How you can help

• Volunteers: Represent TNLA, greet students, share industry pathways, and collect contact leads for member companies (2–4 hr shift).
• Sponsors: Support materials/outreach; receive logo placement on table signage/handouts and a brief booth intro (as permitted).

Ready to participate? Email Jeremiah Armstrong at [email protected] with subject “Texas A&M – Volunteer/Sponsor” and include your company name and preferred time window.

Kim Cabrera, TNLA's Marketing Manager, recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Monsur, an expert in Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 360-degree experiences, and a pioneer in integrating these technologies into the field of landscape architecture. His innovative work with VR in landscape design is not only transforming how we think about outdoor spaces but also inspiring a new generation of landscape architects. In this feature, Dr. Monsur will also share his insights into his groundbreaking research and how his graduate students are pushing the boundaries of design through technology & again about being at the West Texas Workshop happening in Lubbock, TX on Oct 2-3, 2024.

At Texas Tech University, Dr. Monsur’s XR Lab is a hub for cutting-edge research and education. His team of graduate students is pushing the boundaries of landscape architecture by incorporating immersive technologies into their design processes. From using VR to simulate plant growth in real-time to AR tools that overlay design concepts onto existing spaces, the lab is providing students with hands-on experience in blending technology and nature. These tools are not only enhancing their ability to visualize and test landscapes, but they’re also helping them communicate complex design ideas to clients and stakeholders more effectively.

For educators, XR is proving to be a powerful teaching tool. Instructors are using VR to conduct virtual site tours, allowing students to explore diverse landscapes without ever leaving the classroom. These immersive experiences give students the chance to engage with their designs on a deeper level, fostering creativity and practical understanding. Teachers can also use AR to demonstrate how different plants and materials interact within a landscape, bringing textbooks to life in a dynamic, interactive way.

Despite the advanced nature of the technology, Dr. Monsur emphasizes that XR is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible for all ages—including those who may not consider themselves tech-savvy. With easy-to-navigate VR environments and intuitive AR tools, even those new to technology can benefit from this innovative approach to landscape design. This accessibility makes XR a valuable tool not only for today’s professionals but also for mentoring future generations.
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Dr. Monsur's vision is clear: by embracing XR, the landscape architecture industry can become more innovative, engaging, and inclusive. With students, teachers, and professionals alike exploring these tools, the green industry is positioned to lead the way into a future where technology enhances sustainable design.

More Information:
You can email him at [email protected] for more information on how to get involved, how to use this new technology and to schedule a meet up at the West Texas Workshop. 
To Register for the West Texas Workshop please click HERE
Download his PowerPoint XR Lab Presentation LINK
Read more about Monsur and his team through an article in LAM, click this LINK
To view the San Antonio Will Smith Zoo School Playground click this LINK

Get ready for an incredible learning experience at the West Texas Workshop, taking place October 2-3, 2024, in Lubbock, TX. Hosted at Texas Tech University, this workshop is an excellent opportunity to tour the Horticulture Gardens and Greenhouse Complex and explore the latest Texas Superstar Plant Trial Research.

What to Expect:
​During the workshop, attendees will gain valuable insights from horticulture experts and participate in over 4 hours of Water Wise Education, earning TNLA CEUs. The event also offers numerous networking opportunities, with social gatherings and receptions designed to foster idea exchange among industry professionals.

Special Highlights:
On October 2nd, join us for a welcome reception to kickstart the event. On October 3rd, delve into water-wise education and enjoy an exclusive tour of Texas Tech University’s gardens. A special guest speaker, Texas State Senator Charles Perry, Chair of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs, will also be presenting.
Registration Details:
Register now for just $175 for members and $200 for non-members. This fee includes access to all educational sessions, the welcome reception, and a complimentary lunch. Need accommodations? Stay at the DoubleTree for $129 per night. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your knowledge and connect with industry leaders in West Texas!

​Register by visiting: https://www.tnlaonline.org/westtxworkshop.html and click HERE for hotel accommodations 

This is your chance to take time with your crew to head out to West Texas to explore cutting-edge advancements in water-saving technology and landscapes featuring drought-resistant plants. 

​For additional information, contact Tricia Smith at [email protected] or call 512-579-3853.
Sponsorships Available
Sponsorships are available. For Questions Contact Allison Berry at [email protected]
 
 Thank you to this Years Sponsors:Southwest Wholesale Nursery
Wolfe Nursery Direct
Texas Tech University
Environmental Landscape Solutions
Back To Nature
Amarillo Land Services
SiteOne Landscape Supply