Emerging Professional Playbook Your step-by-step guide to building leadership, communication, business acumen, and the network to launch your career — at the 2026 Nursery/Landscape EXPO.
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Build Leadership Skills
Communicate Like a High Performer
Understand the Business Side Thank you to our Key Contributing Investment Partners for EXPO’s Education
Build Your Network
Learn about the Future of the Industry
STEP 1
Build Leadership Skills Before You Have the Title Leadership starts before the promotion. These sessions are designed to help you think like a leader, build executive presence, and position yourself for advancement — right now.
Must-Attend Sessions Emerging Leaders Meet Up
Strong Roots. Even Stronger Future
Are You the Problem? Checking Yourself as a Leader of a Growing Company
Why This Matters These sessions help you: • • • • •
Think like a leader Build executive presence Learn from proven professionals Create mentorship opportunities Position yourself for advancement
ROI: Stronger leadership = faster promotions + more responsibility + greater earning potential
STEP 2
Learn How to Communicate Like a High Performer Communication creates opportunity. People promote people they trust. These sessions sharpen the skills that make you visible, credible, and memorable inside your company and across the industry.
Tips on How to Write Emails Like a Boss Career Center Tailgate
From Hello to Sold: Customer Service Turns Teams Into Sales Machines Nessa Spence, San Jacinto Supply Company
Stand Out as a Candidate and Be Seen Outside of Your Resume
TNLA Best of Texas Landscape Guide Plant Chat – Panel Discussion
Career Center Tailgate
Meet Up Garden
These sessions help you: • • • • •
Communicate professionally Improve client interactions Strengthen confidence Build stronger relationships Become more visible inside your company
ROI: Better communication = stronger trust + faster advancement + higher professional value
STEP 3
Understand the Business Side of the Industry The fastest promotions go to people who understand profit — not just production. These sessions give you the financial and strategic fluency that separates high performers from the rest.
By the Numbers
AI: From Chaos to Control
Benchmarks from ACE Peer Groups
Taming technology for business advantage
Michael Bosco, McFarlin Stanford
Kevin Keim, McFarlin Stanford
The AI-Enabled Landscape Company
Growing Community, Growing Business
Building the future-ready business
How customer loyalty drives revenue
Pallavi Raj, Landscape Professionals of Texas
Nessa Spence, San Jacinto Supply Company
How Businesses Grow
How Margins Work
Understand the levers that drive sustainable company expansion.
Learn to read the numbers that leadership uses to make decisions.
How Customer Loyalty Drives Revenue See the direct connection between relationships and business results.
ROI: Business knowledge = stronger leadership potential + bigger opportunities + career security
STEP 4
Build the Network That Builds Your Career Your next opportunity often comes from who knows your name — not just what's on your resume. These sessions put you in the same room as hiring managers, mentors, and industry leaders.
Must-Attend Sessions Internship / Student / University Meet and Greet Connect directly with employers actively seeking emerging talent.
Why This Matters Growers Meet Retailers Meet Up
Bridge the gap between production and commerce.
These sessions help you: • • • •
Meet hiring managers face to face Connect with mentors who can open doors Build lasting industry relationships Create long-term professional opportunities ROI: Stronger network = better opportunities + stronger career growth + faster advancement
Women in Hort Get Together
Career Center Tailgate Pop-Up
Build community and find mentors in a supportive setting.
Casual conversations that lead to real career connections.
STEP 5
Learn What the Future of the Industry Looks Like The future belongs to professionals who understand what's next. These sessions put you ahead of the curve on the technology and innovation reshaping the landscape and nursery industry.
AI Takeoff Demonstration Michael Ding, Bobyard See artificial intelligence in action and understand how it's transforming business operations across the industry.
These sessions help you:
Let It Roll: Autonomous Cart Demo
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Chris Theison, Burro
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Witness autonomous technology on the show floor and understand how robotics is changing production and logistics.
Stay ahead of innovation before it disrupts your role Understand technology trends shaping the industry Become more valuable to your employer Lead change instead of reacting to it ROI: Future-ready skills = stronger job security + leadership opportunities + career growth
AUGUST 12 BONUS
The Show Floor Is Where Careers Change Sometimes one conversation changes everything. One introduction. One mentor. One opportunity. One "we should talk." That's how careers accelerate.
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Introduction
Mentor
Opportunity
Can open a door that no resume ever could.
Can compress years of learning into months.
Can redefine the entire trajectory of your career.
ROI: Being in the room = career visibility + stronger relationships + real opportunity Connect, learn, and lead — secure your registration for the 2026 Nursery/Landscape EXPO today. The Nursery/Landscape EXPO is produced by the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association.