Tag Archives: Southeast Green Conference

Southeast Green Conference Returns to Athens with Record Exhibitors and Growing Buzz

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Athens, GA |

The city might have changed since its last visit, but the energy was every bit the same at Georgia’s premiere trade show and conference for the green industry. With more than two hundred exhibitors packing the Classic Center, excitement was at an all-time high as the Southeast Green Conference returned to Athens for the first time in over fifteen years.

“When we left Athens in 2009, it was just because we outgrew the area. But now that they’ve done the expansion, we are so excited to be back. Athens really is a horticulture city,” said Lanie Riner. “We were actually able to add fifty additional booths, which is huge for our industry, and attendee registrations are really high. Everyone has just got a really excited, positive vibe about being back in Athens.”

AN INDUSTRY THAT NEVER STOPS MOVING

Like any industry, horticulture is constantly evolving — which is exactly why an annual event like this one matters so much to the people who depend on it.

“Things are moving fast — technology, plant breeding, best practices. And then of course we have the other side of that with emerging pests and those types of things,” Riner said. “Showing up every year to stay up to date on the latest scientific information that UGA is putting out, or getting the best equipment for your business — all of those things you can find here, including the education. It’s just an amazing thing to come to each year.”

For Sonya Harrison, the advances in plant genetics on display this year were especially striking. “There’s a lot of new genetics going on — we can make plants smaller, bloom more, tighter. It’s just amazing what science can do with plants nowadays,” Harrison said.

GOING NATIVE IN 2026

As for what’s trending this year, gardeners appear to be steering toward a more natural look, with native plants and pollinator-friendly gardens leading the way.

“Natives are huge. People love pollinator gardens and anything that can attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies,” Harrison said. “Lavender is huge too. People just want to make pollinator gardens and get back to their native roots.”

YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN

With gardeners of every skill level represented at the conference, one piece of advice for beginners stood out above the rest: success in the garden depends entirely on the care that’s put into it.

“People think that they can just buy these plants and not feed them or water them, and not do proper care — and that’s just not how it goes,” Harrison said. “If you want them to thrive and really pop and bloom for you in your garden, then you’ve got to feed and water the babies. The more you feed them, the more they’ll perform for you.”

BUILDING CONNECTIONS, GROWING AN INDUSTRY

With so many vendors, experts, and industry professionals on hand, the overall goal of the Southeast Green Conference remains the same year after year — bringing people together to strengthen an industry that continues to grow in importance across the state.

“I hope they make new connections and continue to grow. Our industry is ever growing — it is the fourth largest commodity in agriculture,” Riner said. “I really hope they continue to build those connections and grow their businesses.”

By: Damon Jones

Georgia’s Green Industry Faces Big Challenges but Stays Resilient After Hurricane Helene

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Duluth, GA |

Here in Georgia, the green industry is more than just landscaping and nurseries—it’s big business that plays a vital role in the state’s economy. Encompassing everything from greenhouses and sod farms to landscape companies and garden centers, the sector generates over a billion dollars in economic impact every year while supporting Georgia’s number one industry: agriculture.

“The green industry in the state of Georgia is around over a billion-dollar industry and impact,” says Dr. Ben Campbell, Extension Economist with the University of Georgia. “We’re the tenth biggest state for nursery and greenhouse production in the country, and second in the Southeast behind Florida. The industry employs roughly over 100,000 people, both directly and indirectly. Its impact goes beyond plant sales for yards—it extends to restaurants, local businesses, and any place that values beautiful green spaces.”

With such an important role, industry events like the annual Southeast Green Conference and Trade Show have become crucial gatherings. They allow growers, landscapers, and suppliers to learn from one another, see the latest equipment and technology, and connect with partners from across the region.

“This is a good place for people to come together and meet,” says Stan Deal, Chairman of the Southeast Green Conference. “We offer three days of educational sessions for people wanting to learn about new technologies and get credits for pesticide application licenses. The trade show brings in industry folks from around the Southeast, so attendees can learn about new plants, pesticides, fertility products, equipment like mowers, application tools—everything they need to stay up to date.”

This year’s conference feels especially important. Just months ago, Hurricane Helene dealt a major blow to the industry, causing widespread damage to greenhouses, plants, and infrastructure.

“Overall, the impact of Hurricane Helene on the nursery and greenhouse industry in Georgia is around $440 million,” says Campbell. “That breaks down into around $300 million in short-term losses—plants, trees, and shrubs destroyed at the time of the hurricane or shortly after. There are also future losses—trees and plants that won’t be available to sell in years two, three, four, or five—about $84 million. On top of that, infrastructure losses like destroyed greenhouses and plastic are about $50 million.”

Hurricane Helene is just one of many challenges the green industry has faced in recent years. Labor remains a top concern, alongside rising input costs.

“Labor is one of the biggest issues—not just the cost, but the supply,” says Campbell. “Other impacts are on the input side. Costs for fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides—they’ve all gone up, but prices for products really haven’t kept pace. It’s created a squeeze for producers: how do you stay profitable when costs go up, but your prices don’t?”

Despite these challenges, events like the Southeast Green Conference highlight the resilience and innovation within Georgia’s green industry—one that continues to support communities, local economies, and the landscape we all enjoy.

By: John Holcomb