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Green and Growin’ 2026: Driving Growth Across North Carolina’s Green Industry

By North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association|February 11, 2026
Green & Growin' 26 event logo.

Green & Growin’ 26 event logo. | North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA)

Green & Growin’ 26, hosted by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) from Jan. 19–23, 2026 , brought together green industry professionals from across the state and beyond for education, networking, and business development.

Highlights from Green & Growin’ 26

The annual event featured multiple days of educational sessions, a Marketplace trade show, and opportunities for connection among growers, landscapers, suppliers, educators, and industry partners.

Green & Growin’ 26 welcomed more than 1,200 education attendees and more than 2,700 Marketplace participants, reflecting engagement across both education sessions and the Marketplace floor.

Education Sessions

Rayne Gibson Keynote presentation.

Rayne Gibson Keynote presentation. | North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA)

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Education sessions covered a wide range of timely topics, including business management, leadership, workforce development, production practices, and emerging industry trends, offering practical takeaways for professionals at every career stage. The education program also featured keynote presentations by Dr. Melinda Knuth of North Carolina State University and Rayne Gibson of Taproots Horticulture Consulting, offering perspectives on the economic impact of North Carolina’s green industry and the leadership skills needed to guide teams and businesses in a changing industry.

The Marketplace Trade Show

The Marketplace brought attendees together with exhibitors showcasing plants, equipment, products, and services used across the green industry. The trade show supported hands-on demonstrations, product discovery, and conversations that help build lasting business relationships.

The Marketplace trade show floor.

The Marketplace trade show floor. | North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA)

Beyond education and the Marketplace, Green & Growin’ 26 reinforced the importance of community within the industry. Attendees had opportunities to reconnect with peers, build new connections, and share experiences shaped by common challenges and successes. The event also highlighted NCNLA’s ongoing commitment to professional development, advocacy, and strengthening the future of North Carolina’s green industry.

“Green & Growin’ continues to be a place where our industry comes together to learn, connect, and support one another,” says Jon Schwarz, NCNLA President and owner of Pender Pines Garden Center. “The energy, collaboration, and engagement we saw this year speak to the resilience and momentum of North Carolina’s green industry.”

Planning is already underway for next year’s event, to be held Jan. 18–22, 2027, in Greensboro.

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The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association is a 501(c)5 non-profit membership organization of firms interested in the welfare of North Carolina's green industry, with emphasis on the nursery and landscape industries. NCNLA's vertically integrated membership includes growers, landscape firms, and retail garden centers. NCNLA also has membership categories for industry suppliers, horticulture students, and educators. See all author stories here.