Conference Sessions

Thursday, November 13, 2025

FRONTIER ROOM

Sponsored by:

7:55 AM
KEYNOTE: Rooted Through the Storm: Transforming Burnout into Fuel for Growth
Chidi Iwuchukwu

How do you transform your fears, chronic stress, and burnout from energy-draining experiences into fuels for your passion and purpose? That’s the powerful question Chidi Iwuchukwu, bestselling author and resilience expert, has asked thousands across industries. In this high-impact keynote, he brings inspiring insights and lived wisdom to the Green Industry—helping professionals at all levels turn adversity into fertile ground for personal and professional growth.

From surviving a violent kidnapping to thriving as a leader and community builder in Canada, Chidi’s journey is both harrowing and hope filled. Using humor, interactive storytelling, and real-world strategies, he shows landscape professionals how to stay grounded under pressure, build deep-rooted resilience, and flourish in even the harshest conditions. This session isn’t about surviving the storm. It’s about growing through it—and coming out stronger, more focused, and more fulfilled.

9:05 AM
Mastering Middle Management
Grant Harrison

Practical tools and training to equip new and emerging middle managers for success, including management skills, office skills, overview of landscape finances and conflict management.

10:15 AM
Establishing MiniForests in Degraded Urban Soils
Rhoda B. deJonge, PhD

Miniforests are an emerging trend in Canadian Cities.  These dense plantings can assist municipalities in reaching canopy goals more quickly by removing early successional stages of forest growth.  However, implementation of miniforests are not without their risks and challenges.  In particular, soil quality and the matching of proper species lists to site needs can be difficult hurdles for proper establishment. Here, we describe the work that Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has done to-date to support the proper installation of miniforests and what we’ve learned about how miniforests can support soil health including soil carbon – when planted in the correct site and context.

11:25 AM
Your New Co-Worker: AI in Agriculture
Simon Loewen

This talk explores how AI can enhance the day-to-day workflows of professionals in agriculture—researchers, consultants, growers, educators, and business professionals. Rather than focusing on field-level automation (e.g., drones, climate sensors), the emphasis is on knowledge work: how to research, communicate, analyze, and make decisions faster using today’s AI tools.

TRAILBLAZER 1 ROOM

Sponsored by:

9:05 AM
Integrated Pest Management for a Healthy Greenhouse
Gregory Holmes

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is a comprehensive approach to managing pests and pathogens using methods that prevent or minimize the use of chemical applications. These techniques usually focus on biological control, cultural practices, and targeted use of pesticides, insecticides, or fungicides that reduce pest- or pathogen-induced crop damage to below the economic thresholds set by growers. As the Canadian greenhouse industry grows and more produce is grown in CEA, the risk of pest-induced economic damage also increases as the conditions are kept optimal for plant growth, maintaining high quality plant material for pests to eat, which can increase pest reproductive success. There are numerous different cultural practices and biological control programs that can be implemented, and each grower will need to develop their own procedures to mitigate the risks posed by pests and pathogens.

 At the Centre for Sustainable Food Production (CSFP) Greenhouse in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; a new applied research facility that is available for industry to test their products, processes, and technologies; we utilize some unique and forward-thinking processes that mitigate numerous risks present in a greenhouse setting, especially regarding pests and pathogens. This includes a comprehensive monitoring program, utilization of bunker and haven plants, overlapping biological control programs, and advanced sterilization and sanitation techniques. By combining multiple cultural, biological, and chemical processes, we have optimized greenhouse growing and have shown through experimental data and plant metrics that it is possible to control not only plant growth and performance, but also beneficial insects which can help mitigate pest damage. The work underway inside the CSFP Greenhouse is conducted by the Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre (IATC), Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Technology Access Centre, designed to mobilize technical expertise and applied research capabilities for the benefit of the Controlled Environment Agriculture sector.  We are excited to share this information with other greenhouse growers, and hope that we can work together to promote healthy and sustainable food production methods for Canadian growers.

10:15 AM
Sowing the Seeds of Longevity: Lessons from Wolf’s Botanical
Ingrid Hainzmann

From a 20×20 foot greenhouse to a full-service nursery and landscaping business, Wolf’s Botanical has been a flourishing example of agricultural passion and dedication for 40 years. Join co-owner Ingrid Hainzmann as she shares their journey of growing a small U-Pick vegetable stand into a thriving business. Learn about their strategies for expanding their operations, building a loyal customer base with unique plant selections, and navigating the industry for four decades. This session will provide valuable insights into the hard work, patience, and commitment required for long-term success in the horticultural sector.

11:25 AM
Beyond Green: Rethinking Water, Turf, and What Actually Counts as ‘Sustainable’
Randy Valk

Water restrictions, drought events, and public pressure are becoming more frequent, and more intense. This session is for leaders and high-water-use operators who are ready to move beyond reactive water management and into strategic, holistic sustainability.

In this straight-talking, thought-provoking session, we’ll break down what actually works in real-world landscape and irrigation management, and what’s just noise. With a focus on the Alberta context, you’ll walk away with tools, insights, and inspiration to build water resilient communities that don’t just survive restrictions but thrive in spite of them.

TRAILBLAZER 2 ROOM

Sponsored by:

9:05 AM
Tree Trial Findings from Across the Prairies
Arnold Heuver

We will go over the results of the WNGG / LANP tree trial test plots that have been happening over the last 5 years. Tree plots were located in 3 provinces in the following regions: Edmonton, Red Deer, Strathmore, Saskatoon and Portage La Prairie

10:15 AM
Marketing and Merchandising: Leveraging  Consumer Campaigns for Retail Success
Tim Anderson

This presentation will delve into the mechanisms behind the Proven Winners’ consumer marketing initiatives. We will analyze how these campaigns build brand loyalty and create foot traffic. A data-driven look at top-performing plant varieties will be presented, along with insights into their attributes and merchandising opportunities to maximize their impact in your retail space.

11:25 AM
Small Steps, Big Impact: Helping Native Bees Thrive in Working Landscapes
Megan Evans

Native bees are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems and valuable allies in both horticulture and agriculture. In this session, we’ll explore the incredible diversity of Alberta’s native bees, their unique life cycles, and the habitat conditions that help their populations thrive.

We’ll also take a closer look at the use of domestic bumble bees in greenhouse production, highlighting opportunities to better understand how managed pollinators and native species may interact on the landscape. The session will share practical, low-effort steps that growers can take to support both crop production and native bee conservation.

With growing interest in pollinator-friendly practices, understanding the differences between native, managed, and introduced bees is more important than ever. We’ll cover the key pressures facing native bees and wrap up with evidence-based, actionable strategies that landscapers and growers can use to help protect and promote healthy pollinator communities.

LOOKOUT ROOM

Sponsored by:

9:05 AM
Sustainable Resource Management: Optimizing Resources and Maximizing Efficiency
Randy Valk

Randy will inspire the attendees, both individually and as a collective, to think and do things differently, shattering the mold of doing what we have always done. He will share actionable insights on leveraging technology-driven irrigation control, data reporting, and resource management to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. His expertise in cloud-based irrigation platforms, sensor technology, and data-driven decision-making empowers municipalities to optimize resources, meet (and exceed!) conservation standards, and simplify operations. Through GRO, he is leading the charge in reshaping how industries manage water and workforce investments, ensuring a more sustainable future for the communities we live and work in.

10:15 AM
Stop Complaining, Start Recruiting: A System for Finding A-Players
Danny Kerr

Recruiting is the biggest challenge facing the trades, and everybody is talking about the ‘crappy labor pool’ —we’ve heard the complaints! Finding the ideal candidate is more challenging than ever, and keeping hold of them, that’s a whole other ballgame.

The hard truth is that it’s your own limiting beliefs that are messing this up for you. The good news is that It’s a solvable problem.

There are always ‘A’ players looking for great opportunities, but they are looking for clues that you are an ‘A’ Player company as well. Winners want to work with winners. Chances are that you’ve got a lot of positive traits… but you’re screwing up the execution. you aren’t leveraging to attract the great talent that’s still out there.

The better news is that most of your competition will have brutal recruitment processes, so it’s easy to make yourself stand out as a top employer.

In this session, Danny Kerr takes you through the key steps to build a culture of recruiting.

By the end of this talk, you’ll walk away with:

• an ideal candidate profile tool;
• a proven system to attract top talent;
• a better understanding of how to recognize the right fit;
• a clear and professional recruitment process.

BONUS: You’ll get ready-built templates and systems to dial in your recruitment in 2026!

11:25 AM
Optimizing Supplemental Lighting in Greenhouse Crop Production
Seyed Hashemi, PhD

This session will explore how supplemental lighting influences greenhouse crop performance. It highlights strategies for balancing yield, fruit quality, and energy consumption, based on commercial-scale trials with high-wire crops like cucumber, tomato, and peppers.

Friday, November 14, 2025

FRONTIER ROOM

Sponsored by:

7:55 AM
KEYNOTE: The Journey of an Unconventional Family Farm: Do Whatever You Want
Morgan Cote

If you’ve ever started the year without a clear plan, or, a plan that lives entirely in your head, then this session is for you. Here’s why.

• You probably intended to build your strategic plan, but you just haven’t gotten around to it yet because, well, Q4 is nuts and you’re too busy trying to wrap projects.
• You’re not alone!

That said, not having a plan is like steering a ship with no map. Sure, you’re busier than ever and moving fast, but is it even in the right direction? Imagine telling your crew to get the Jones’ job done, but not giving them the address or any details about the project. That’d be crazy, right?

In this session, Danny from Breakthrough Academy will show you an industry-proven approach to creating a one-page Strategic Plan that doesn’t take forever to build. He will walk through an industry example to demystify the confusion of strategic planning. It will help you reach your goals and allow your business to grow (while avoiding making the same old mistakes).

Start 2026 off right.

BONUS: You’ll be given a ready-to-go template that gets your vision out of your head and outlines your strategic initiatives in quarterly rhythms.

10:15 AM
To Brine or Not to Brine
Grant Harrison

An introduction to liquid brine for owners and operations managers looking to invest in brine in their winter operations.

11:25 AM
PANEL:  Cultivating a Green Workforce: How Professional Development and Apprenticeships Grow Your Business
Moderator: Brian McBride
Panelists:  TBA

Ready to build a thriving team and a resilient business? This panel discussion explores the critical link between employer-supported professional development and a strong company culture in the green industry. Learn how investing in apprenticeships, trade certifications, and in-house training programs can be a powerful strategy to not only feed your talent pipeline, but also significantly boost employee retention and make your company more attractive to new recruits. Our panelists will share practical insights on how these initiatives can cultivate a skilled, loyal, and passionate workforce that helps your business flourish. Panel hosted by Brian McBride of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

TRAILBLAZER 1 ROOM

9:05 AM

From Boots to Bytes: Building a Safety Culture That Grows Your Green Business
Trevor Hall

This program shows Alberta landscapers how safety can be more than compliance—it can be a driver of growth. By treating safety as a system, not a checklist, business owners can reduce waste, prevent costly downtime, attract and retain skilled workers, and build trust with clients. Participants will learn practical strategies to integrate safety into daily operations, align it with lean business practices, and use it as a competitive advantage to grow a stronger, more profitable landscaping business.

10:15 AM
Playing Detective: On-site Diagnosis of Plant Problems – Part 1
Mario Lanthier

What is wrong with my plant? We hear that question all the time. There could be 20 different reasons for the problem. An accurate diagnostic is critical to implement the proper corrective measures. Over the years we have developed skills and techniques that put us on the path to success. We will share these methods in this presentation. Step number 1 is to tell the difference between biotic (insect or disease) and abiotic (environment around the plant). If problem diagnostic is important for you, join us in this interactive session. There will be team exercises and plenty of examples to practice.

11:25 AM
Playing Detective: On-site Diagnosis of Plant Problems – Part 2
Mario Lanthier

What is wrong with my plant? We hear that question all the time. There could be 20 different reasons for the problem. An accurate diagnostic is critical to implement the proper corrective measures. Over the years we have developed skills and techniques that put us on the path to success. We will share these methods in this presentation. Step number 1 is to tell the difference between biotic (insect or disease) and abiotic (environment around the plant). If problem diagnostic is important for you, join us in this interactive session. There will be team exercises and plenty of examples to practice.

TRAILBLAZER 2 ROOM

Sponsored by:

9:05 AM
Dutch Elm Disease Updates from Edmonton
Mike Jenkins

An overview of the 2024 and 2025 detections of Dutch elm disease in Edmonton, and the Integrated Pest Management Plan used by the City of Edmonton in response.  

10:15 AM
Designing with Native Plants
Dora Berry

Tough, tolerant, and beautiful, native plants reconnect us with nature! Learn about thriving landscape designs that utilize native plants. This session will cover how to select appropriate species and best practices for their establishment and care.

11:25 AM
Research Update: Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation
Jason Pick

This presentation will provide 2yrs of research findings from the project “Drought avoidance in Calgary’s Yard-Smart perennials & Sod”. Included are the newest project, “Fall anoxia, and the effects of turf subjected to forced hardening”. We will discuss the latest advances in research technologies which have enhanced our maintenance capabilities while improving reporting quality of turfgrass research.

LOOKOUT ROOM

9:05 AM
Invasive Species in Alberta: What’s Here, What’s Coming, and What You Can Do
Megan Evans

Invasive species are reshaping Alberta’s landscapes but so is our collective ability to fight back. In this session, the Alberta Invasive Species Council will cover the latest invasive species news from     across the province. From emerging plant threats to headline-grabbing species like wild boar, rats, Prussian carp, and zebra mussels, we’ll explore the impacts these invaders are having on ecosystems, infrastructure, and the green industry. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what’s here, what’s on the horizon, and the practical steps you can take to protect Alberta’s

10:15 AM
Solutions for Trees in the Urban Core
Rhoda B. deJonge, PhD

Trees in our downtown centres are some of the most important trees in our municipalities.  Their location in our densest communities allows them to provide an out-sized benefit in terms of the shade, stormwater, and aesthetics.  However, these trees also face some of the greatest urban stresses.  Here we discuss potential opportunities for improving establishment and maintaining healthy mature trees, with a focus on soil quality and quantity – comparing the benefits of various technologies including soil pits, soil cells, structural soils. 

11:25 AM
Edible Landscapes
Dora Berry

Growing food has never looked better with the return of edible landscape designs! Join us to explore formal kitchen gardens, cozy potagers, urban food forests, and discover how to beautifully incorporate edible plants throughout your landscape. These aesthetic and functional designs offer a delightful abundance of vegetables, fruits, and herbs.