Plant Disease Management Update

Plant diseases can be sneaky, but you don’t have to let them take over! In this session, we’ll dig into the top diseases growers need to watch out for and the latest management strategies to keep your plants thriving. Stay ahead of the curve with expert recommendations on emerging threats."

Tailgate Diagnosis of Advanced Plant Diseases

Spotting plant diseases before they spread is the key to effective management! This session will teach you how to identify major plant diseases quickly—right from your truck or office. Learn expert tips to diagnose problems on the go, so you can take action before they take over!

Georgia Certified Landscape and Plant Professional Review

Ready to level up your horticulture know-how? This session dives into plant identification, irrigation essentials, and insect pest detection—all through the lens of disease management. Whether you're gearing up for certification or just want to sharpen your skills, we’ll break down key topics from the Georgia Certified Landscape and Plant Professional Study manuals to help you grow with confidence!

IPM / Workshop

Take control of pests before they take over! This interactive session explores horticultural Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies tailored for greenhouses and nurseries. With a mix of expert presentations and hands-on learning, you'll gain practical skills to keep your plants healthy and your pest problems in check!

GGIA Annual Meeting of the Membership

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Impacts of Weather on Southeastern Green Industry

Info Coming Soon!

Edible Elegance: Creating Stunning Mixed Containers with Vegetables and Ornamentals

Get your hands dirty with Dr. Julie Campbell (UGA Horticulture) and Sarah Houtsma (Ball Horticultural Company) in this fun, interactive workshop that blends beauty and bounty! Discover how to create stunning mixed containers that pair vegetables with ornamentals for eye-catching, productive displays. From selecting the perfect plant combinations to choosing the right containers, soil, and maintenance techniques, this session is packed with practical tips. Whether you're a grower, retailer, or landscaper, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas to inspire customers—plus your very own custom-designed container garden!

Cut Flowers

Info Coming Soon!

Exotic Plants

Texas weather is keeping us on our toes—record highs, deep freezes, extreme floods, and relentless droughts have put urban forests to the test. As new disease and insect pressures take their toll, it's time to rethink the landscapes of the future. Join us as we explore key lessons from SFA Gardens on finding, evaluating, and promoting climate-resilient trees and shrubs. Discover what works (and what doesn’t) in the face of extreme weather and learn how to build urban landscapes that can stand up to the challenges ahead!

Creative Container Gardening: Edible & Ornamental Combinations

Info Coming Soon! (Limited Space Available)

Overcoming the labor shortage for nursery industry

Info Coming Soon!

Trade Show Walkabout with Dr. Allan Armitage

Take a VIP stroll through the trade show with one of Georgia’s green industry legends, Allan Armitage! Get his expert take on the hottest new plants and trends, and hear insider stories from his longtime connections with top growers. This is your chance to learn how to spot the best of the best from Southeast Green exhibitors—don’t miss this fun and fast-paced tour! Meet us at the GGIA booth just inside the trade show entrance.

Water quality and use efficiency in GH and nurseries

Water is essential, but how you use it makes all the difference! In this session, we’ll dive into water quality and explore ways to improve its efficiency in greenhouse and nursery production. Learn how to incorporate sensors and technology to optimize water use for ornamental crops, ensuring healthier plants and more sustainable practices. It’s time to make every drop count!

Trade Show Walkabout with Dr. Michael Dirr

Join Georgia's green industry legend, Dr. Michael Dirr, for an exclusive tour of the trade show floor! Get his expert insights on the latest plants and emerging trends, plus learn from his long-time relationships with some of the industry's top growers. It’s a must-attend tour for anyone looking to discover the best in the business. Meet us at the GGIA booth just inside the trade show entrance!

Industry Trends

Info Coming Soon!

Bees, beetles, and butterflies - oh my (and don't forget the wasps and the flies)!

Your pollinator garden is buzzing with life—now it’s time to identify all those visitors! Did you know there are over 200 species of bees you could encounter? Or that butterflies play a key role too? In this workshop, you’ll learn to recognize the most common flower visitors, understand their biology, and distinguish between beneficial insects and pests. We’ll also share exciting research from studies conducted in Georgia, plus helpful resources to enhance your own conservation efforts. Get ready to discover the fascinating world of pollinators!

Entomology Workshop

Get up close and personal with the pests and beneficial insects impacting ornamental nurseries, landscapes, and greenhouses in this hands-on workshop! The speaker will walk you through the biology of major pests, monitoring techniques, and the latest management strategies. You’ll also have the chance to see specimens of both pests and beneficial insects—pinned or live—for a closer look at these key players in the ecosystem. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your pest management skills!

Past Chairman's Meeting

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Shrub Considerations - What is Trending, Variety Differences, Ideal Culture

New shrubs are all the rage, from hydrangeas to gardenias, distyliums, azaleas, and more! Join us as we explore the top-selling varieties, discuss common challenges, and share key cultural tips for ensuring landscape success. We’ll also highlight a few classic varieties that deserve a second look. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer, this session will help you stay on top of the latest trends and best practices in shrub selection!

Weed Control in the Nursery – Sanitation, Herbicides, and Mulches

Weeds are a constant challenge in nursery production, but with the right strategies, you can take control! In this session, we’ll dive into effective sanitation practices to reduce weed spread, plus explore how pre-emergent herbicides and mulches provide residual control during production. Learn about the best management practices for preventing weed infestations, and discover mulch products and herbicides that safely reduce labor costs by minimizing the need for hand weeding. Save time, money, and effort while keeping your crops clean and healthy!

GGIA Industry Awards & Scholarship Ceremony

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Rethinking Urban Spaces: Sustainable Landscapes for Resilient Communities

In Rethinking Urban Spaces: Sustainable Landscapes for Resilient Communities, Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard explores how sustainable urban landscapes can tackle environmental challenges, boost community well-being, and support biodiversity. She’ll share practical strategies for creating resource-efficient, climate-adaptive green spaces, offering actionable insights on transforming urban areas into thriving, resilient ecosystems. Attendees will leave feeling inspired and ready to promote sustainability in their own communities, armed with the knowledge to make a real difference!

New Plants Walkabout with John Ruter

Dr. John M. Ruter is the Allan M. Armitage Endowed Professor of Horticulture at The University of Georgia and serves as Director of the Trial Garden at UGA. Before his current position, Dr. Ruter was the nursery crop research and extension specialist for UGA and Director of the Coastal Plain Research Arboretum on the Tifton Campus. Dr. Ruter’s research focuses on breeding and introducing herbaceous and woody ornamental cultivars and developing Camellia oleifera as a new oilseed crop for the United States. Dr. Ruter’s program has licensed over 50 cultivars, and he has received numerous plant patents. He teaches two classes on herbaceous plant identification, Trial Garden Internship, and a course on Current Topics in Horticulture. Dr. Ruter has four graduate students working with diverse genera, such as Castanea, Hibiscus, Lagerstroemia, Pycnanthemum, and Salvia. Dr. Ruter has been recognized by organizations such as the American Conifer Society, the American Holly Society, The Garden Clubs of Georgia, The Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Author of the Year, and the Southern Nursery Association. He is a Fellow of the International Plant Propagators’ Society and an award-winning author of four books and over 500 scientific and popular publications. In 2021, Dr. Ruter was named the Inventor of the Year for the University of Georgia. Dr. Ruter was recently named a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science and has received their Outstanding Graduate Educator Award.

Partner Meeting

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Layered Substrates for Nursery Production: Growing Smarter with Water Savings

Stratified substrates are gaining attention for their numerous benefits in plant production. By stratifying substrates, irrigation and fertilizer applications can be reduced by 25% and 20%, respectively. These substrates also improve moisture retention and gas exchange in containers, leading to healthier plants. Research shows significant improvements in root development when using stratified substrates. Additionally, they can reduce peat reliance by extending peat reserves and cutting applications by up to 50%, making them a sustainable choice for growing media. It’s a win for both your plants and the environment!

The Grass Isn't Greener: Understanding drought-affected turf

This session dives into the science of drought stress and provides practical turf care techniques to help your turfgrass survive and recover. Tailored specifically for Georgia’s climate, you'll learn strategies to build a resilient, sustainable lawn that can stand up to even the toughest drought conditions. Leave with actionable tips to keep your turf healthy, green, and drought-ready all year round!

Landscape Equipment Sustainability Strategies

This session offers a deep dive into the current landscape maintenance industry, exploring the post-COVID shift in public perception that’s driving the demand for more sustainable practices. We’ll also examine the policies shaping the industry’s transformation and how technological innovations in outdoor power equipment are changing the game. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the challenges and operational gaps that need to be addressed to achieve more sustainable landscape management practices—empowering you to stay ahead of the curve!

Managing Water in the Landscape: Creative Considerations

Excessive water in the landscape can create major challenges, from runoff issues to poor drainage and contaminant movement. Tackling these problems requires a comprehensive approach, blending smart planning, green infrastructure, plant selection, and ongoing site maintenance. In this session, landscape contractors will gain practical tips for designing landscapes that can withstand the pressures of too much water. We’ll cover key features like rain gardens, bioretention cells, French drains, and plant materials that help manage excess water and keep your landscape thriving despite the challenges.