Schedule of Events

Fertile Ground Webinar Series

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Spring Survival: How to keep mind and body healthy during peak sales season
Join Garden Center Editor Patrick Alan Coleman and Bardavon Senior Clinical Consultant Robert Townsend as they discuss the mind/body connection crucial to keeping your employees healthy and injury-free during the busy spring season.
Rob Townsend
Speaker Rob Townsend Senior Clinical Consultant, Bardavon Health Innovations View Bio

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

State of the Garden Center Industry: Finding Focus
Sponsored By

Join Editor Patrick Alan Coleman as he discusses data and insights from Garden Center magazine’s annual State of the Industry Report.

Our State of the Industry Report is a well-established franchise that has allowed us to track the health of the garden center industry for the past 12 years. We’ve documented highs and lows and trends that have come and gone.

In 2024, we found that our industry is starting to focus on its core business as profits and growth mellow with the COVID boom in the rearview. It appears that garden centers are getting back to what they do best: selling plants.

Our first ever digital-only State of the Industry Report, the 2024 report is fully interactive, allowing the data to be as dynamic as the industry it reflects.

Dig into the numbers with Patrick in this session that puts the industry in focus.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Leading Women of Horticulture: You've got to get out of your comfort zone
Join Garden Media Group President Katie Dubow in conversation with Aubry Field, founder of Lizzy Blossom as they discuss their careers as leading women in the horticulture industry. This wide-ranging conversation centers on getting out of your comfort zone and what it takes to start and maintain a business while being conscious of work-life balance as business owners and parents.
Katie Dubow
Speaker Katie Dubow President, Garden Media Group View Bio
Aubry Field
Speaker Aubry Field Founder, Lizzy Blossom View Bio

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Touring the Third Place: How Kansas City Garden Centers are Fostering Community
Get a sneak peek of the Garden Center Conference & Expo tour stops and how these independent retailers are working to build community connections with their customers. From cafés to concerts, Kansas City-area garden centers are making their stores the go-to venues for shopping and socializing, establishing third places all while amplifying their brands and driving profitability. Join us live to hear insights from leaders of Suburban Lawn & Garden, Colonial Gardens and Family Tree Nursery.
Jonah Nelson
Speaker Jonah Nelson CEO & Third Generation Owner, Family Tree Nursery View Bio
Paul Abugattas
Speaker Paul Abugattas Executive Director, Colonial Gardens/DCA Outdoor View Bio
Matt Stueck
Speaker Matt Stueck Owner, Suburban Lawn & Garden View Bio

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Value Acceleration: Maximizing Your Business Value in the Green Industry

With 70% of business owners planning to exit within the next 10 years and buyers becoming increasingly selective, the green industry faces a critical transition period. 80% of businesses are not saleable or do not have the proper talent or family pipeline to continue. Thus, only the best will sell. Is your business ready to be among the 20% that successfully transfer ownership?

Stephen Covey coined the adage, "Begin with the end in mind." If you’re a business owner looking ahead to retirement, troubling headlines— tariffs, immigration policies, inflation, and Wall Street volatility— create uncertainty and make it difficult to visualize the end. However, for business owners and company leaders, it is more important than ever to prepare and acquire the knowledge and support necessary to manage their businesses and enhance the value of their companies, especially in turbulent times.

There is no better time to start working ON, as opposed to IN, your business, and building value like the present. Whether you’re a business leader or owner who wants to prepare for succession or sell their business – or know they could – you will discover the critical value drivers that acquirers prioritize and how to implement them in your green industry business.

In this interactive session, you will learn the following:
• Leading practices and strategies.
• What do acquirers consider, and how to Increase the eight drivers of company value?
• Minimizing your company's reliance on your personal involvement.

Whether you plan to exit in 2, 10, or more years or become a leader or business owner someday, these value-building techniques will enhance your business today while preparing it for tomorrow’s transition opportunities.

Chris Cimaglio
Speaker Chris Cimaglio Managing Partner, Best Human Capital & Advisory Group and PivotPoint Business Solutions View Bio