Green and Growin' conference expands for 2020

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Green & Growin’, the annual green industry education conference and trade show presented by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, will be held Jan. 27-31 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The three-day education conference and two-day trade show is for professionals in the green industry seeking both certification credits and business promotion in one week-long event.

Green & Growin’ 20 will feature two notable keynote speakers during the education conference Jan. 27-29.

Steve Troxler, the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, will discuss the state of the green industry on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Troxler worked to include nursery crops in the Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Act, which earmarked $240 million in relief funds for agricultural businesses adversely impacted by Hurricane Florence and/or Hurricane Michael.

Meanwhile, Tony Avent will talk about his life’s work of plant exploration on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Avent established Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden, a not-for-profit 28-acre research, education and display garden with more than 26,000 taxa, including an array of unusual specimen plants.

The education conference provides over 100 hours of training, specialty seminars and workshops taught by over 60 industry experts. Attendees can earn continuing education credits (CEUs) toward state and national accreditations and licensure in eight disciplines, including landscape, irrigation, pesticide, arboriculture and forestry.

At the Marketplace trade show Jan. 30-31, attendees can expect nearly 400 exhibitors from across the U.S. and Canada showcasing a broad range of plant materials, tools, equipment and landscape supplies.

New for 2020, the Marketplace kicks-off with a reception Wednesday, Jan 29 from 5-7 p.m. to preview the show before its official open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30. An additional after-hours event will be held Thursday evening from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Green & Growin’ 20 will be held at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons and the Special Events Center at the Greensboro Coliseum. The show is a closed event for professionals in the green industry. To learn more, visit the event's website.