Chris Cimaglio
Chris Cimaglio

Beyond Sweat Equity: Compounding Growth and Building Value in Your Greenhouse Business
Andy Wilcox
Andy Wilcox

How Greenhouse Coverings Are Taking on New Roles
Justin Lombardoni
Justin Lombardoni

Wannabe Shrubs: Perennials that Mimic Their Woody Counterparts
Nadia Sabeh
Nadia Sabeh

Watch Out for These Red Flags When Seeking Out New Greenhouse Technology

The 2026 RISE Annual Meeting Focused on New Leadership and Emerging Technology

By RISE|August 24, 2026
The RISE Board photographed at the 35th Annual Meeting in Dallas-Las Colinas, TX.

The RISE Board photographed at the 35th Annual Meeting in Dallas-Las Colinas, TX. | RISE

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) members, young professionals, industry partners, and guests gathered in Dallas-Las Colinas, TX, Aug. 16–20, 2026, for the association’s 35th annual meeting, the first under the leadership of Executive Director Scott Herndon. Neil Cleveland, PBI-Gordon, concluded his 2024–2026 term as RISE Governing Board Chair.

“Together, we’ve stepped away from our day-to-day work to share ideas, tackle emerging challenges, and better prepare for the opportunities ahead,” Herndon said during the Opening General Session. “After seeing the impact of our advocacy, outreach, and collaboration over the past year, we’re also celebrating what our members and industry partners have accomplished.”

Cleveland shared his appreciation for the more than 400 members who volunteer their time on RISE efforts and committees.

“2026 has been a year of impact due to our work together as RISE. Whatever your level of engagement, each of us IS our industry where we are creating inspiring and healthy places to live, work, and play,” said Cleveland in the Closing General Session.

Keynote Speaker and Session on Drone Technology

Keynote speaker Nicholas Webb, CEO of LeaderLogic, shared a message about innovation, artificial intelligence, and what’s next. One of Webb’s key takeaways: In the age of AI, we must strive to deliver human-first experiences.

Webb was followed by industry leaders who provided insight on Drone Technology in the Specialty Pesticide Industry with panelists Nandita Chowdry, Clarke; Sarah Hovinga, Bayer; Kamron Newberry, AmericanHort; and Kelley Wittenberg, a drone technology expert.

The panel discussed drone use and how legislation and regulations will help or hinder drone advancement. Key takeaway: Drone innovation is here. RISE member companies must strategically prepare for their adoption while collaborating with policymakers and regulators to ensure the industry has a clear path to operate in this evolving space.

The Closing General Session on Day 2 featured the following panels and presentations:

Strategy Summit

New this year was a two-day Strategy Summit each afternoon that replaced the RISE committee meetings. As the association completes its current Five-Year Strategic Plan, the Strategy Summit provided inspiration, insight, and data to help create the association’s 2027–2031 plan.

Jon Gaeta, RISE Senior Director of Government Affairs, moderated two panels during Session 1 of the Strategy Summit:

During Session 2 of the Strategy Summit, panel discussions included:

  • Federal Issues Recap: Wins/Trends/Forecasts, by RISE Executive Director Scott Herndon.
  • Regulatory Outlook Through the Business Lens, moderated by Kristen Spotz with panelists Karen Larson, Clarke, and Mark Schneid, Envu.
  • Grassroots Engagement Primer, by Pres Davenport and Tori Ludwig, Eckel & Vaughn.

Attending the annual meeting were six young professionals who are members of the RISE Young Professionals Network, and new member Rainbow Ecoscience.

Appointments, Awards, and Recognitions from the RISE Annual Meeting

Elected to the RISE Governing Board and serving as the 2026–2028 Executive Committee are:

Members cycling off the Board and recognized for their service were:

Several awards were given during the annual meeting. The E. Allen James Leadership Award was presented to David Crow, founder/senior advisor, DCLRS, the association’s long-time lobbyist. RISE’s first President Allen James (1992–2010) hired Crow as the association’s first federal lobbyist.

“David has played an integral role in the growth of the RISE organization and in the professionalism and effectiveness of federal advocacy in the White House, Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense, and across federal agencies,” said Herndon.

“His relationships on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill have delivered successes and diminished negative outcomes for the industry throughout his tenure. His insights and strategies have guided the association’s federal work for more than three decades — work that epitomizes the spirit of the E. Allen James Leadership Award,” said Herndon.

The RISE Grassroots award was renamed to the David T. Crow Excellence in Grassroots Award and given to Sundari Kraft, Ascent Strategies, and members of the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Coalition, who were instrumental in defeating adverse state legislation this session.

The Strategic Driver Award was presented to Stephanie Binns, BASF, Chair of the RISE Regulatory Affairs Committee, for providing steady, results-oriented leadership during a pivotal period for pesticides. Herndon said she helped shape and coordinate industry alignment, particularly in preparation for the reauthorization of PRIA 6.

Herndon and Cleveland presented awards to RISE member volunteers for their service to the association and commitment to the specialty and fertilizer industry. They included:

The 2027 RISE Annual Meeting will be in Washington, D.C., during the last week of August.

0

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry. Visit the RISE website for more information. See all author stories here.