Demo Schedule

RETAIL WORKSPACE, MUST BE REGISTERED FOR THE EDUCATION OR TRADESHOW PLUS PASS TO ATTEND Tyler Wright, Austin Wood Recycling

This hands-on session teaches the fundamentals of creating custom soil mixes and executing proper repotting techniques to support plant health and longevity. Participants will learn how to match soil structure and drainage to plant needs while minimizing transplant stress.

Key Takeaways:

1. Choose the Right Mix for the Right Plant – Understanding the role of soil components like peat, perlite, bark, and sand is key to creating a mix that supports proper aeration and moisture retention.

2. Know When and How to Repot – Timing, root pruning, and container selection all play a role in successful repotting without shocking the plant.

3. Avoid Common Mistakes – Over-potting, poor drainage, and compacted soils can lead to root rot and stunted growth—learn how to prevent them.

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PROPAGATION STATION, MUST BE REGISTERED FOR EDUCATION OR TRADESHOW PLUS PASS TO ATTEND. WITH EXPERT DR. ANDREW KING, TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONRead less...

in the Retail Workspace, must be registered for EXPO's Education Pass or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend. Boost sales by providing clients with a basic, hand-drawn visual of their space. This simple, yet effective tool can be utilized by sales associates to illustrate recommendations and assist clients with understanding how to accomplish their landscape goals. In this session, attendees will learn how to integrate sketching into the sales process. Participants will understand how using this method increases buyer confidence and decisiveness, and why matching the client’s vision with yours often results in increased sales. With expert, Ryan Watkins, HortMentorRead less...

Must registered for the education pass or tradeshow plus pass to attend. Learn concepts of landscape design in this introductory class tailored for industry professionals. Dive into the 4Ts and DS4, two powerful methods that streamline plant selection while guaranteeing results your clients will rave about. Whether you're new to design or looking to sharpen your skills, this class offers practical strategies that will elevate your projects and boost your success. Takeaways: 1. Avoid common design mistakes by using the DS4 questions (Deer, Sun, Size, Soil, Season). 2. Streamline & simplify the design process with the 4Ts (Tier, Texture, Time, Theme). 3. Use visual tools (Top Plant List, Quick Sketch Card) to shorten meetings with clients. 4. Become comfortable setting realistic budget expectations with clients. 5. Build trust with clients through humility, integrity, and education, not just selling designs. with expert Ryan WatkinsRead less...

must be registered for EXPO Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend. The Genesis Sketch method introduces a fast, practical approach to landscape design, allowing professionals to communicate their ideas effectively to clients. This approach prioritizes efficiency, visual clarity, and practical decision-making in plant placement and layout design. Key Objectives: - Enhance communication with clients using quick visual aids. - Simplify plant placement and bed design with a structured approach. - Improve workflow efficiency and client decision-making. - Encourage practical on-site plant selection to match availability. - Provide a foundational framework for scaling up to more detailed designs. With Expert Ryan Watkins, HortMentorRead less...

gain knowledge on definitions and how a growers thinking should be shaped in terms of the asset of inventory. with expert John Beauford, Advanced Grower Solutions LLC / Silver Fern    Read less...

Discover the set of “good” or “best” practices that are unpinned with a good systematic approach to management and some of the resultant possible business impacts. with expert John Beauford, Advanced Grower Solutions LLC / Silver FernRead less...

Propagation Station must be registered for the Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend. with expert, Gary Cortes, Flow Vision

This forward-looking demo explores how emerging technologies are transforming the way plants and products move through the supply chain. Retail garden center managers and growers will learn how to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction through smarter distribution strategies.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Automation and Inventory Tools – Learn how digital systems can improve inventory accuracy, track orders, and reduce manual errors.

2. Improve Logistics and Delivery – Discover tools that optimize routing, track shipments in real-time, and enhance communication with retail partners or customers.

3. Scale Smart with Data – Use analytics to forecast demand, adjust supply levels, and make informed decisions that support business growth.

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RETAIL WORKSPACE, MUST BE REGISTERED FOR EDUCATION OR TRADESHOW PLUS PASS TO ATTEND. with speaker Kurt Reiger, High Caliper Growing - Smart Pots

This session introduces the advantages of using Smart Pots and other fabric containers to enhance plant health and root development. Learn how to incorporate these innovative containers into your growing system to improve yields, reduce transplant shock, and boost overall plant performance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Promotes Superior Root Structure – Fabric pots naturally air-prune roots, preventing circling and encouraging dense, fibrous root systems.

2. Improves Drainage and Aeration – Increased airflow through the container walls reduces the risk of overwatering and supports healthier soil biology.

3. Versatile for Many Applications – Smart Pots are ideal for nursery production, retail sales, and even in-ground growing—offering flexibility and performance across environments.

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Propagation Station, must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to Attend.

with expert, Dr. Andrew King, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

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Propagation Station, must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend.

with Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting

Want to explore the latest pest management tools? In this hands-on demonstration, you'll learn a fast and easy method for scouting pests. Discover how to use digital microscopes for accurate identification of both pests and beneficial insects. Attendees will also get an up-close look at the newest biological control agents and their release techniques. Have pest questions? Bring them to The Buglady for expert answers

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Retail Workspace, must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend. with expert, Trevor Johnson, Alldredge Gardens In this hands-on demo, discover how using Smart Pots can elevate the retail appeal and health of popular plants like geraniums. Learn growing techniques that improve plant quality and presentation, helping boost customer satisfaction and drive sales.

Key Takeaways:

1. Visual Appeal Drives Sales – Smart Pots enhance root health and bloom production, leading to fuller, more vibrant retail-ready geraniums.

2. Retail-Ready and Ready to Thrive – Healthier plants with well-developed roots experience less transplant shock, making them more attractive to consumers.

3. Use as a Sales Tool – Educate customers on the benefits of Smart Pots to add value and differentiate your offerings on the sales floor.

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DEMO: Retail Workspace, Must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend. with expert Dr. Andrew King, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Research and Extension

This demo introduces retail garden centers to the newest ornamental plant varieties hitting the market. Attendees will get hands-on insights into trending colors, forms, and features that are capturing consumer interest and driving retail sales.

Key Takeaways:

1. Explore Fresh, Market-Ready Varieties – Discover ornamental introductions that offer improved performance, unique aesthetics, and strong shelf appeal.

2. Capitalize on Consumer Trends – Stay ahead by aligning your plant offerings with what today’s customers are searching for, from pollinator-friendly to low-maintenance choices.

3. Enhance Visual Merchandising – Learn how to showcase new ornamentals in displays that educate and inspire shoppers to buy.

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DEMO: Retail Workspace, must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to Attend with Expert, Chris Scott, Altman Plants

This hands-on demo guides retail garden center managers through the art and strategy of designing point of purchase (POP) displays that drive engagement and boost seasonal sales. Learn how to create timely, eye-catching displays that inspire purchases and enhance the customer experience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Plan with the Seasons in Mind – Align displays with planting cycles, holidays, and local trends to stay relevant and capture impulse buys.

2. Tell a Story with Your Display – Use signage, color, and product grouping to educate, inspire, and make shopping easy for your customers.

3. Measure What Works – Track performance and adjust displays based on customer behavior, inventory movement, and seasonal demand.

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Next-Gen Irrigation: Harnessing Technology for a Better Landscape, located in the TGI Product Knowledge Area's Landscape and Irrigation Lab, must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to Attend and receive 4 hours of TCEQ CEUs. Presenter, Ramzi White, SiteOne Landscape Supply

Objectives for the class:

1. Introduction to Smart Irrigation Systems
   • Overview of Traditional vs. Modern Irrigation: Discuss the evolution from manual and stand-a-loan irrigation controllers to modern, tech-driven solutions.
   • Benefits of Smart Irrigation: How technology helps improve water efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance landscape health.
2. Types of Advanced Irrigation Technologies
   • Sprinkler Systems with Smart Controllers: Automatic adjustments based on weather conditions, soil moisture, and landscape needs.
   • Soil Moisture Sensors: How these sensors measure and control the water levels, optimizing irrigation schedules.
   • Climate-Based Irrigation Systems: Integration of local weather data to adjust watering based on temperature, humidity, and rainfall.
3. Water Management and Conservation
   • Water Efficiency: The role of technology in maximizing the use of water resources, reducing runoff and evaporation.
   • Sustainability and Resource Preservation: How smart irrigation technologies help conserve water and support sustainable landscaping practices.
   • Water Stress Indicators: Identifying when a landscape needs water without over-watering or under-watering, using tech solutions.
4. Integration with IoT (Internet of Things)
   • Connecting Systems for Full Automation: How IoT enables remote monitoring and control of irrigation systems from smartphones or computers.
   • Data Analytics for Better Decision-Making: Using collected data from sensors and controllers to track performance, forecast needs, and make adjustments.
5. Cost-Effectiveness and ROI
   • Initial Investment vs. Long-Term Savings: Discuss the upfront cost of implementing tech-driven irrigation systems and how they pay off over time with water savings and better plant growth.
   • Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Tips for maintaining and optimizing high-tech systems, including common problems and solutions.
6. Hands-On Demonstration
   • System Setup: Walkthrough of installing and configuring a smart irrigation system (drip, sprinkler, or sensors).
   • Real-Time Data Collection: Demonstrate how data is collected and used for watering decisions.
   • Adjustments Based on Conditions: Participants can practice adjusting systems based on weather forecasts, soil moisture, and landscape requirements.
7. Emerging Trends in Irrigation Technology
   • AI and Machine Learning: How AI can predict water needs and automate the system's learning process.
   • Drones for Irrigation Monitoring: Using aerial technology to map irrigation needs and assess large landscapes.
8. Practical Applications for Different Landscapes
   • Residential vs. Commercial Landscapes: Discuss the specific needs of different environments and how technology is tailored to each.
   • Urban Landscapes and Green Spaces: Strategies for implementing smart irrigation in parks, urban gardens, and public spaces.

Thank you to TGI Safety Group for Sponsoring the Demo 

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Propagation Station, must be registered for Education or Tradeshow Plus Pass to attend. with expert, Paul Winkski, Texas AgriLife Extension Review the top performers from an in-ground and container trial that was planted on April 25, 2024 and evaluated through the summer until August 5, 2024. The trial consisted of 66 container entries and 44 in-ground varieties from Abbott-Ipco, Syngenta Flowers, PanAmerican Seed and Ball Flora Plant. Plants were evaluated every 2 weeks for flower production, plant uniformity, insect and disease presence and overall appearance. Green Growth: Update on Applied Research for the Texas Green Industry Join us for a comprehensive overview of the latest applied research initiatives driving innovation in the Texas green industry. • Soil Health and Sustainability: Explore the potential of biochar as a sustainable soil amendment to enhance nursery production and improve plant health. • Boxwood Production: Learn about the effectiveness of Rootshield Plus in optimizing boxwood production and mitigating common challenges. • Biostimulants: Gain insights into the preliminary findings of MitoGrow, a promising biostimulant that could improve plant growth and development.Read less...