New England Grows, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4 – Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, in Boston, is renowned for its innovative educational conference and world-class exposition. The annual event connects more than 11,000 of the region’s top green industry professionals with leading suppliers from around the globe. NE Grows was recently named one of the fastest growing trade shows in the country by Trade Show Network News.
Always on the lookout for emerging trends, the program in February includes some of the top names in today’s green industry. An impressive speaker lineup includes urban trendsetters, policy-shaping environmentalists and hard-driving entrepreneurs. With more than 50 educational offerings, New England Grows participants have plenty to choose from including:
- Restoring Nature’s Relationships: Understanding the Importance of Native Plants with Doug Tallamy, The University of Delaware
- Taking Control of Turf Weeds with David Gardner, Ohio State University
- Trees & Turf: Can We All Get Along? with Bert Cregg, Michigan State University
- Maximize Turfgrass Disease Control with Proper Application Strategies with John Kaminski, Pennsylvania State University
- Cultural Practices & Pest Management Strategies for Low Input Landscapes, with Cheryl Smith, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
- Creating Landscapes for Insects.or Not! with Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University
- Ecological Thinking for Non-Scientists: Using Nature as a Model with Karen Bussolini, author
- The Massively Important, Ever-Evolving Relationship Between Plants & Soil Health with Christopher Roddick, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
NE Grows is one-stop shopping for many attendees’ CEU needs. The seminars are approved for multiple recertification credits, including NOFA, APLD, LA CES and New England, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Pesticide credit, among others.
The show’s exposition will be jam-packed with 1,000-plus booths displaying the hottest new plants, equipment, technology and more. Check out NewEnglandGrows.org, or download the mobile app, for a complete list of suppliers who are ready to do business and will be offering show specials.
Some of the show’s highlights include a Kick Off event at Laugh Boston; Women in Horticulture Networking Luncheon; Learning Hubs, Sprint Sessions, and a Live Patio Build on the Expo floor; as well as a chance for attendees to earn Hoisting License Continuing Education credit.
GROWS is also rolling out a program for high school students, called “Future Leaders.” This program aims to encourage youth participation by recognizing outstanding horticulture students with complimentary admission. It is a great place for young people to explore the possibilities and potential available to them in today’s green industry. Industry ambassadors will interact with the students and share stories about their own career paths. An essay contest will encourage students to share, in writing, what they learned at NE Grows, with the winner receiving a significant prize.
The New England Grows show is different from many others in that it is a not-for-profit event. Founded in 1993 by green industry professionals for green industry professionals, its educational conference and exposition gives participants unique access to targeted, industry-specific products, information, education and connections. The New England Nursery Association, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals and Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association are the organization’s founding partners. Proceeds from New England Grows go directly back to the industry to support the work of these and other green industry organizations. The show also actively supports the six New England state Cooperative Extension Systems through research grants that have totaled nearly $500,000 to date.
To learn more about New England Grows and to register, visit NewEnglandGrows.org.
WEDNESDAY . February 4
Seminars: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Expo: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
THURSDAY . February 5
Seminars: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Expo: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
FRIDAY . February 6
Seminars: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Expo: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
