4 Events You Won’t Want to Miss at Cultivate’26
July 1, 2026 The schedule of educational sessions and special events at Cultivate seems to get larger every year, which means planning your trip in advance can be extremely valuable. To help you out, we’ve highlighted four things you should add to your calendar today.
Women in Horticulture Luncheon (Monday, July 13)
This year’s speaker is Christin Cashen, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Certified Virtual Presenter, and an inductee into the National Speakers Association CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame. Cashen brings humor, real stories, and practical tools that speak directly to the experience of women who care deeply about their work and often put themselves last. Participants will learn how to “compose and dispose” of worry so stress does not follow them from greenhouse to office to home. They will uncover what truly restores their energy instead of relying on habits that simply keep them functioning.
Click here to learn more and to register (please note that the deadline for registering is July 3).
Insights and Takeaways From Greenhouse Grower’s Top 100 Growers Survey (Sunday, July 12)
The floriculture industry’s largest growers often set the pace for technology adoption, crop production, labor strategy, and logistics. Each year, Greenhouse Grower editors survey these operations to understand their biggest challenges, where they’re investing, and what’s changing on the ground. In this session, Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks will share key trends from the 2026 Top 100 Growers survey and explore how the market has evolved in the post-COVID era. To move beyond a data recap, the session will also feature insights from growers Jonathan Cude of Sedan Floral and Fred Wacker of Hampshire Farms, who will add real-world context attendees can apply to planning, sourcing, and operational decisions.
Evening of Excellence (Monday, July 13)
Each year, the floriculture industry gathers at the Greenhouse Grower Evening of Excellence to celebrate the people, technologies, and varieties that are setting the standard for what’s possible.
The 2026 Medal of Excellence program recognizes the best in breeding, growing, technology, and innovation in horticulture across several categories:
- Head Grower of the Year
- Operation of the Year
- Industry’s Choice Award (breeding)
- Editor’s Choice Award (breeding)
- Reader’s Choice Award (breeding)
- Technology of the Year
- Industry Achievement Award
- Spotlight Award
Winners will be announced live July 13 during Cultivate’26 in Columbus, Ohio. Doors open at 5 p.m., awards begin at 5:30 p.m. Cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVP today — attendance is free!
Future of Floriculture Breakfast (Tuesday, July 14)
Greenhouse Grower’s “Future of Floriculture” breakfast during Cultivate’26, sponsored by Growmentum, will feature an insightful discussion on key trends driving the future of the floriculture industry.
The focus of the event is “How the Next Generation of Workers and Technology Will Drive Success”, and we’ll discuss”
- Technology gaps in the floriculture industry
- Overcoming obstacles to implementing new technology
- How efficiency improvements relate to ROI
- How to help teams successfully adopt new technology
- Ways team members are using technology in different ways than their predecessors
- Best strategies for recruiting and retaining new talent
To learn more and to sign up, please email Greenhouse Grower Editor Brian Sparks at [email protected].
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