Demo Schedule

Exceptional customer service drives sales, reputation, and long-term business growth. In today’s competitive green industry, service is often the deciding factor in where customers spend their money. Explore practical strategies for training teams to deliver consistent, genuine service in all seasons. Learn how proactive engagement, professional presentation, and well-organized environments build trust, strengthen customer relationships, and increase sales across retail nurseries, garden centers, and landscape businesses. Turn everyday interactions into lasting loyalty and revenue. Key Takeaways

• Understand the direct connection between customer service and increased sales, referrals, and repeat business
• Learn simple, repeatable service behaviors that create trust and close sales without pressure
• Discover how workplace organization, cleanliness, and presentation function as silent sales tools
• Gain strategies for maintaining professionalism and morale during high-stress, high-volume seasons
• Walk away with a clear customer service standard that can be immediately implemented across teams

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In this presentation, I aim to highlight the importance of youth in agriculture and the green industry, emphasizing their role in driving innovation and sustainability. I will also discuss how businesses can help secure the future of the industry by supporting and integrating young horticulturists into their workforce through opportunities for growth, development, and hands-on experience. Bullet points/Takeaways ● Bringing high school students and aspiring horticulturists into your business isn’t just helpful now—it’s an investment in the future of your team and the green industry as a whole. ● There are plenty of practical ways to get young ag students involved that genuinely support your day-to-day work while also building real relationships in your community. ● Connecting with groups like FFA and 4-H is one of the most natural ways to find hardworking, passionate young people—and help shape the next generation in our industry.Read less...

What does EOS actually look like inside a nursery and landscape business? Hear directly from a local owner-operator who spent 30 years building from the inside before buying the business himself. Running on EOS, he’s added structure, clarified the core values already woven into the culture, and built a leadership team with real momentum — without losing what made the business great. Amy Johannesen, Certified EOS Implementer, will walk through the tools that made the difference — and what it could look like for your businessRead less...

This session presents results from applied research trials conducted with Texas nursery producers, focusing on production inputs and propagation across woody species. Studies evaluated biochar as a soil amendment and growth responses of Mexican sycamore to MitoGrow and Nutristar Genesis programs, along with plant growth regulator effects on bigtooth maple. Propagation trials assessed rooting success and liner quality in multiple species, with results highlighting practical implications for nursery production and decision-making. • Biochar, fertility programs, and biostimulants influenced growth responses, with implications for input optimization. • Plant growth regulators showed measurable effects on bigtooth maple growth and production characteristics. • Propagation trials identified variability in rooting/germination success and liner quality, informing more efficient production practices.Read less...

In this engaging session, Joe Raboine, Vice President of Design at Oldcastle APG, will explore how biophilic design can transform outdoor living environments into spaces that support wellness, sustainability, and visual harmony. Drawing from nature-inspired design strategies, Joe will share practical ways to apply biophilic principles to patios, gardens, courtyards, and outdoor rooms—enhancing both residential and commercial projects. Attendees will learn how to incorporate sensory-rich planting, natural materials, water features, and thoughtful spatial design to create outdoor areas that foster human connection with nature. Joe will also provide insights into how these trends are evolving within the Texas green industry, addressing regional challenges such as heat, drought, and native ecology. With real-world examples and forward-looking trends, this session is ideal for landscape architects seeking to elevate their projects through meaningful, nature-driven design.Read less...

In an industry built on physical labor, injury prevention is essential for protecting crews and controlling business costs. Equip your landscape and horticulture professionals with practical, job-site–ready strategies to reduce strains, overuse injuries, and heat-related illness. Learn proper lifting mechanics, daily warm-ups, efficient teamwork, and smarter tool use for tasks like unloading trucks and handling plant material. Discover how small training and workflow changes can improve crew performance, reduce workers’ compensation claims, and keep teams healthy, productive, and safe. Key Takeaways for Attendees

• Learn how to train crews in proper lifting, hauling, and unloading techniques to reduce back, shoulder, and joint injuries.
• Implement simple, effective warm-up and stretching routines that prepare the body for a full workday and reduce strain-related incidents.
• Understand how team coordination and task efficiency lower fatigue, improve productivity, and decrease injury risk.
• Apply best practices for hydration, nutrition, clothing, and protective gear to prevent heat stress and energy crashes.
• Reduce workers’ compensation claims, lost workdays, and long-term liability by proactively addressing injury prevention at the crew level.

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AI is not coming to landscaping — it is already here. This session shows you exactly how to put it to work: building proposals, sharpening estimates, strengthening contracts, writing SOPs and policies, and driving marketing and SEO results. Less time on paperwork. More time growing your business. Whether you are just curious or ready to scale, walk away with a clear, practical roadmap for running a smarter landscape operation.Read less...

Regenerative landscaping offers a practical path to reducing weed pressure by addressing its root cause—imbalanced soil health—rather than relying on repeated treatments. This session teaches attendees how to assess soil conditions, interpret weeds as ecological indicators, and implement strategies that restore balance in managed landscapes. Attendees will also hear success stories from effective regenerative landcare programs. By improving soil structure, biology, and nutrient availability, professionals can reduce inputs—including water—while increasing resilience and unlocking new business opportunities. Key Takeaways:

• How to identify and interpret weeds as indicators of underlying soil conditions
• Practical methods to improve soil health and naturally suppress weed pressure
• Strategies to reduce inputs (water, chemicals, labor) while improving landscape performance
• Ways to integrate non-conventional inputs for efficiency and simplified maintenance
• How regenerative practices can drive revenue growth, differentiation, and recruiting and retaining skilled crews

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This presentation highlights top-performing selections from the 2025 Texas Superstar® in-ground and container trials. Plantings were established May 5, 2025, and evaluated through September 1. The trial included 73 container entries and 40 in-ground varieties from major breeding companies. Plants were rated every two weeks for flowering intensity, uniformity, pest and disease incidence, and overall quality. Results summarize leading performers and key trends under Texas conditions for landscape and container use. • Top-performing varieties demonstrated strong flowering, uniformity, and overall quality under Texas summer conditions. • Biweekly evaluations identified consistent performers with improved tolerance to insect and disease pressure. • Results provide reliable plant recommendations for landscape and container use in commercial and retail markets.Read less...

As gardening trends evolve and attention spans shrink, nurseries and landscape businesses must find new ways to reach emerging markets and audiences. Explore how educational programming, expanded service offerings, and partnerships with local organizations can attract new clients while deepening community connections. Learn how topics like conservation, pollinator support, native plants, and water-wise gardening create meaningful engagement. Discover strategies for collaborations, in-store events, and outreach that position your business as a trusted community resource and growth leader. Key Takeaways

• Learn how to attract and retain customers by aligning education and programming with today’s most relevant topics, including conservation, water security, pollinators, native plants, and food production.
• Discover strategies to serve both beginner and advanced gardeners, keeping long-time customers engaged while welcoming new audiences.
• Understand how community partnerships and volunteer initiatives increase credibility, visibility, and customer loyalty without feeling performative or sales-driven.
• Explore practical ways to invest in employee education and morale, reducing burnout and empowering staff to become passionate brand ambassadors.
• Walk away with actionable ideas for creating classes, outreach events, and collaborations that drive repeat visits, stronger relationships, and sustainable business growth.

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This session equips tree crews, supervisors, and safety leaders with the knowledge and confidence to meet updated OSHA first aid kit requirements and respond effectively to emergencies in the field. Working from heights, operating chainsaw, and high-risk environments demands more than just having a first aid kit—crews must understand what belongs in it, how to use it, and how to activate emergency response when every minute matters.

• What is in First Aid Kit?
• What is the difference between a Trauma kit and First Aid kit?
• Why training matters
• If a life-threatening bleeding injury happens today, are we truly prepared?

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The "last-mile" is an expensive, complex part of the landscaping supply chain. As customer expectations shift toward Amazon-like transparency, many operations remain trapped in manual, paper-based chaos. This session focuses on the unit economics of bulk materials and delivery. Learn how digitizing ordering and dispatch eliminates administrative overhead, scales volume without adding staff, and turns delivery logistics into a high-growth profit center and competitive advantage. BULLETS:

• Identify hidden margin killers in manual dispatching and routing
• Implement a digital workflow to reduce liability and payment delays.
• Analyze delivery data to determine the true cost-to-serve for high-volume vs. homeowner customers; nearby vs. distant delivery locations.
• Balance high-tech logistics with customer service to enhance the overall experience and build brand loyalty.
• Scale Without Headcount: Strategies to boost your order volume during the Spring rush without hiring additional administrative or office staff.

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