Garden Center magazine announces dates and location for 2026 Garden Center Conference & Expo

Valley View, OH – Nov. 12, 2025 – Garden Center magazine, the leading trade publication serving independent garden center retailers in North America, has announced details for the 2026 Garden Center Conference & Expo. The seventh edition of the industry-wide event will take place Aug. 18-20, 2026, at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

The three-day experience will begin with education sessions and roundtable discussions designed specifically for independent garden center executives, department heads and team leaders. The third day will feature a garden center tour of select area garden centers. Additionally, attendees will enjoy ample networking time as well as access to the Immersive Garden Center, featuring solutions and products from companies prioritizing the industry’s success and merchandised for in-store inspiration.

“This conference is an opportunity for retailers to step away from their stores, exchange ideas with peers and return home energized with new strategies to elevate their businesses,” said Michelle Simakis, publisher of the GIE Media Horticulture Group, which includes Garden Center magazine. “What attendees have told us makes this event so special is that the speakers are garden center leaders — the people who are doing the work and know what it takes to run a retail business — and are willing to have honest, candid conversations about challenges and offer solutions.”

The in-depth education program is being developed by the Garden Center editorial team. Each session will be led by speakers and moderators who understand the challenges and opportunities unique to the retail industry. Garden center leaders as well as retail experts from other industries will share strategies that have contributed to their success and actionable ideas that attendees will be able to implement in their own businesses.

“We’re stoked to bring the Garden Center Conference & Expo back for 2026,” said Patrick Alan Coleman, editor of Garden Center magazine. “Our team is already curating an exceptional education program filled with fresh ideas and inspiring speakers, and we can’t wait to experience it all in Nashville. What makes this year even more exciting is the expanded Immersive Garden Center. It’s such a unique opportunity for attendees to explore products, see merchandising in action and gain practical ideas in a real-world retail setting.”

Tabletop display space within the Immersive Garden Center and sponsorship opportunities for the event are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the following sales reps to secure your space early:

Brian Wilgus: bwilgus@gie.net | 440-781-3651

Thomas Vidmar: tvidmar@gie.net | 330-304-8765

Matt Rogucki: mrogucki@gie.net | 216-393-0345

More information, including on registration, speakers, sessions and tour locations, will be announced in the coming months and will also be available at gardencenterconference.com.

About Garden Center: Garden Center magazine is the leading industry trade publication serving independent garden center retailers in North America. Garden Center, a quarterly print publication with a robust digital presence, is known for providing relevant, timely and engaging content in every issue, with a focus on management, marketing, trends and merchandising. With a suite of services — including digital coverage, news updates and e-newsletters — Garden Center provides business owners with research, insights and analysis to help them grow their companies.

About GIE Media, Inc.: Garden Center is owned by GIE Media, based in Valley View, Ohio. GIE Media was founded in 1980 and has grown in its 45-year history into a leading marketing and communications business-to-business media company serving 16 industries — including the horticulture industry through its Horticulture Group (Garden Center, Greenhouse Management, Nursery Management and Produce Grower). The company goal of Group Interest Enterprises is to publish the highest-quality business magazines, websites, e-newsletters, conferences, reference books and other forms of business media in growth industries, with a quality standard based upon editorial value and market leadership. The company employs more than 100 editors, publishers, sales representatives, marketers and other professionals. To learn more, visit giemedia.com.

Contact:

Irene Sweeney                                              

216-393-0289

isweeney@gie.net