Schedule of Events

2026 Event Schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 - Educational Sessions
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Educational Sessions & Top 100 Awards
Thursday, August 20, 2026 - Garden Center Tour

Times, sessions and speakers are subject to change. Sessions may be categorized under more than one topic. When selecting topics, please note that you may need to deselect your previous selections or choose "ALL" as multiple selections can be made at once.

View the 2025 Garden Center Conference & Expo Agenda here.

Session Topics

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

General Session 1

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

General Session 2

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

General Session 4a

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

General Session 4b

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM

General Session 3

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Networking Break

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Keynote Session: The Power of Understanding People
Keynote
This interactive keynote equips attendees with actionable tools and techniques to support their individual communication and leadership styles. Through engaging, humorous content, attendees uncover the cornerstone of high performance and learn practical strategies for enhancing communication, teamwork, employee engagement, customer service excellence and influence.
Dave Mitchell
Speaker Dave Mitchell Founder/President, The Leadership Difference Inc. View Bio

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

General Session 5a

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

General Session 5b

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

General Session 6

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Networking Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

General Session 7a

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

General Session 7b

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

General Session 8a

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

General Session 8b

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

General Session 9

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM

General Session 10

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM

Networking Break

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Garden Center Top 100 Awards Presentation

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Top 100 Celebration and Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Garden Center Tour
Nashville-area Garden Centers

Post-show activities include a garden center tour featuring stops at several stand-out Nashville operations. Stay tuned for details. Space is limited, and last year's tour SOLD OUT.