Conference Program

Monday, Aug. 11

Lawn & Garden Retailer Garden Center Bus Tour*

Tuesday, Aug. 12 

• Keynote: Jeff O’Brien, co-founder & president of Brands In Blooms: “Garden Centers Reimagined: Cultivating the Next Generation of Garden Lovers”
  • As Millennials and Gen Z redefine how brands engage their generation, garden centers have a unique opportunity to become destinations of inspiration, education and community. Join me to explore fresh branding, immersive experiences and engagement strategies that transform budding gardeners into lifelong brand advocates, positioning your business to thrive in this evolving market.
• Ask the IGCs
  • Hear from the garden centers featured during Lawn & Garden Retailer’s Garden Center Bus Tour on Monday. From best practices to tips and tricks for success, they’ll share what makes their businesses special.
• Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist, Proven Winners ColorChoice: “Partnering with Content Creators: How to create relationships that work”

  • In today’s digital age, the gardening world is rapidly evolving, and connecting with online content creators is an essential strategy for driving brand awareness and customer engagement.

    In this panel, join Christopher and Eric Feml-Nelsen from GrowForMeGardening; Bethany Bey of Chicago Gardener; and Heather Wheatley from Proven Winners as they share their insights on building successful collaborations between nurseries and content creators. From leveraging social media platforms to creating authentic, lasting partnerships, this session will explore how both creators and the nursery industry can benefit from strategic alliances. Discover how to effectively navigate these relationships to reach new audiences and create impactful, organic content that resonates with gardening enthusiasts everywhere.

    Ideal for nurseries, brands, and garden centers looking to expand their digital presence, this discussion will provide actionable strategies for partnering with influencers to drive growth and engagement in the gardening space.

Wednesday, Aug. 13 

• Keynote: Gail Pabst, marketing director, National Garden Bureau: “Pinterest Power: Reach new audiences to grow your business”

  • Join us for an informative session where we’ll share the secrets to leveraging Pinterest to expand your reach and boost your garden business. Drawing on the expertise and success of the National Garden Bureau (NGB), you’ll learn proven strategies to:

    – Create captivating content: Learn how to craft visually appealing pins that resonate with your audience.
    – Build a strong following: Discover effective techniques for attracting and engaging Pinterest users.
    – Drive traffic to your website or blog: Learn how to use Pinterest to generate targeted traffic.
    – Understand Pinterest’s audience: Gain insights into who is using Pinterest and how to reach them.
    – Craft high-performing pins: Discover the elements of a successful pin.
    – Utilize SEO best practices: Learn how to optimize your pins for search engines.
    – Implement effective analytics: Measure your success and track your progress.

    Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business to new heights!

• Innovator of the Year Roundtable
  • Join L&GR editors and some of the industry’s most innovative garden center owners and operators for an interactive panel. During this engaging session, you’ll hear from honorees from the Innovator of the Year program as we talk to them about how they are succeeding in our ever-changing industry. Walk away with new ideas and inspiration for the coming season.
• Lunch & Learn

*Cost associated with bus tour