18 green industry events to mark on your calendar for 2020

Updated Jan 3, 2020
Photo: Jill Odom/Total Landscape CarePhoto: Jill Odom/Total Landscape Care

A new decade is just around the corner and as your start planning out your 2020 year, don’t forget to take a look at the various industry events going on across the country.

Below is a list of 18 different green industry events you can put on your calendar ahead of time so you can plan around that event if you’d like to attend. Click on the name of the event to learn more.

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)

When: Jan. 8-10

Where: Baltimore, Maryland

Sponsored by the state Nursery and Landscape Associations of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, MANTS was started in 1970 and is called as the “Masterpiece of Trade Shows”. It is known for being the marketplace for finding plants and nursery stock, tools and heavy and light duty equipment. This year’s show will mark its 50th year.

Gulf States Horticultural Expo

When: Jan. 15-17

Where: Mobile, Alabama

A show that is open to green industry professionals only, the Gulf States Horticultural Expo allows attendees to find new products and suppliers, network and learn about industry issues. The educational sessions include topics such as the basics of low voltage lighting and plant diseases of maintained landscapes.

Leaders Forum

When: Jan. 23-25

Where: Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

An executive-level education and networking event hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), the Leaders Forum is an annual destination meeting. Owners, managers and industry experts gather to discuss matters affecting the landscape industry mixed with fun activities designed for team building.

Green & Growin’ 20

When: Jan. 27-31

Where: Greensboro, North Carolina

This event presented by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association is right around the corner and attracts professionals from the plant nursery, landscape, irrigation and horticulture industry and across the country. Green & Growin’ includes an educational portion from Jan. 27-29 with more than 100 hours of training available that provide CEU credits. Steve Troxler, NC Commission of Ag, will deliver a keynote speech on Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden will deliver his keynote speech on Wednesday, Jan. 29. On Jan. 30-31, the Marketplace exhibition will open. The Marketplace provides an opportunity to view vendors’ products and network.

ProGreen EXPO

When: Feb. 5-7

Where: Denver, Colorado

Held in the Colorado Convention Center, more than 6,000 green industry professionals gather to learn about how to improve their business and learn the latest information for the upcoming season. ProGreen EXPO has been held since 1996. A number of education sessions will be offered and attendees will also get a hands-on look at products from over 250 exhibiting companies. Early bird rates are available until Jan. 7.

The Work Truck Show

When: March 3-6

Where: Indianapolis, Indiana

Billed as North America’s largest work truck event, this show is hosted by the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA). Attendees can see the newest industry products, find solutions to technical issues and talk shop with peers at special events and receptions. Some of the session topics this year include vehicle life cycle costing and spec’ing for success. This is the show’s 20th anniversary.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG

When: March 10-14

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

Held only every three years, North America’s largest construction trade show is back. This show caters to those in the asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, utilities, land clearing and more. Education sessions available will include topics such as maintenance trends, attracting and engaging talent and industry innovations.  Early bird pricing is available until Jan. 17.

National Collegiate Landscape Competition

When: March 18-21

Where: East Lansing, Michigan

An annual event for landscape and horticulture students from around the U.S. to gather and put their skills to the test, this will be the 44th NCLC. During this event put on by NALP, there is a career fair where landscaping companies can reserve a booth space and network with potential future employees.

Snow and Ice Symposium

When: June 16-19

Where: Hartford, Connecticut

While registration is open yet for this symposium, this is an ideal event for those who offer snow and ice management services. The Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) has been hosting the symposium for 23 years. Over 140 companies attend to provide products, programs and services for snow and ice management industry professionals. The symposium includes three days of education and two days of trade show.

Cultivate ‘20

When: July 11-14

Where: Columbus, Ohio

Cultivate has been running strong for 91 years and has over 150 relevant professional sessions. The event is open to those who work in the nursery, greenhouse, garden retail, interior plantscape or landscape industry. There are four days to learn, network and grow. Early bird registration opens Feb. 10-21.

APLD International Design Conference

When: July 23-27

Where: Chicago, Illinois

The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) host this annual conference and attendees say they come away with renewed creativity and design ideas after being surrounded by their fellow designers. It’s five days of hands-on learning and inspiration through educational sessions and tours of the best gardens the host city has to offer.

ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture

When: Oct. 2-5

Where: Miami, Florida

Formerly known as the ASLA Annual Meeting and EXPO, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is now hosting the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture for landscape architects to be able to learn and network. Over 130 educational courses are offered, and attendees can earn up to 24 professional development hours. There is also the trade show aspect that allows a hands-on experience with new technology and a chance to talk to the people behind various design solutions.

LANDSCAPES 2020

When: Oct. 20-23

Where: Louisville, Kentucky

LANDSCAPES 2020 is NALP’s educational and networking event for landscape and lawn care professionals that is held in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO and Hardscape North America (HNA) trade shows. NALP presents over 135 hours of education on topics such as emerging trends and pressing concerns. LANDSCAPES is designed to be a learning experience for everyone from the owners to the sales team to the technicians and crew members.

GIE+EXPO

When: Oct. 21-23

Where: Louisville, Kentucky

The trade show that every landscaper has at least heard of, if not attended, at least once, GIE+EXPO is the industry’s largest showcase for outdoor power equipment. The event has 500,000 sq. ft. full of exhibitors and 20+ acres of outdoor demo area for attendees to test equipment.

Hardscape North America

When: Oct. 21-23

Where: Louisville, Kentucky

Hardscape North America (HNA) is co-located with GIE+EXPO and has a dedicated area of the floor to all things hardscaping. Aside from having the opportunity to view new hardscaping materials and products, attendees can watch hardscape demonstrations for different types of projects. There is also the Hardscape North America Installer Championship, which tests the skills of hardscape contractors from the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

TCI EXPO

When: Oct. 29-31

Where: Baltimore, Maryland

Created in 1990, TCI EXPO’s goal has been to bring tree care companies, equipment and product providers and industry professionals together. It is sponsored by The Tree Care Industry Association and is the largest tree care industry conference and trade show. Attendees can evaluate products and view live demonstrations and participate in the Skills Arena. Additionally, there are giveaways, forums and seminars.

Deep South Turf Expo

When: Nov. 2-5

Where: Biloxi, Mississippi

Despite the name suggesting it is for Southerners only, the Deep South Turf Expo welcomes turf managers from far and wide to attend this event, though most are from the southeast. There are educational sessions for all sections of the turfgrass industry, as well as a trade show full of turf products. The expo is rather young, with its first gathering held in 2015.

Irrigation Show & Education Conference

When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4

Where: San Antonio, Texas

Put on by the Irrigation Association, the Irrigation Show features educational classes on real-world applications of irrigation systems, certification exam and irrigation seminars. There is also its technical program that presents the latest research covering a number of irrigation topics. Attendees can also connect at various events during the show like the opening night party or certification lunch.

The Attachments Idea Book
Landscapers use a variety of attachments for doing everything from snow removal to jobsite cleanup, and regardless of how often they are used, every landscaper has a favorite attachment.
Download
Attachments Idea Book Cover