Montana Nursery & Landscape Association

Promoting Your Industry - Increasing Your Voice - Growing Your Business


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Upcoming events

MNLA Events Calendar

Upcoming events

    • January 06, 2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • January 08, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • Billings Hotel & Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Ln., Billings, MT


    Montana Green Expo

    January 6th - 8th, 2026

    Billings, MT




    Ready to Grow Your Knowledge?

    MNLA is committed to bringing the horticulture industry together and planting the seeds for success. We are proud to offer programming that highlights best practices, explores innovative and creative business solutions, and helps you grow your business.

     We are planning a great seminar line-up for you! Mark your calendars for January 6-8, 2026. Registration will open November 1st.  

    This year, we are excited to offer two days of educational seminars and trade show, pre-conference workshops for in-depth learning, an exciting trade show showcasing the latest developments, and several networking receptions over the course of the conference. 


    Hands-On Workshops

    There will be several in-depth Workshops held prior to the conference this year. A separate registration is required for each of the workshops. We are excited to offer the following workshops:

    Monday, January 5th:

    • First Aid CPR AED Course - American Red Cross
    • Hardscape University - CPM Oldcastle

    Tuesday, January 6th:

    • Plant Health Care Clinic
    • Irrigation Workshop
    • Profit Margins Workshop
    • Communication Breakdowns (and how to avoid them) Workshop
    • Hardscape University - CPM Oldcastle
    • Certified Plant Professional Exam
    • Cut Flower Workshop
    These workshops are an add-on to your main conference registration. A separate registration is required for each workshop. You can add workshops to your online conference registration, or download the registration form and return to our office. Registration for the Hardscape Workshops are external registrations, completed on the course website. All Workshops will be held at the conference venue, Billings Hotel and Convention Center, in Billings, MT. Pre-registration is required.


    Five Education Tracks

    Four tracks guarantee there's something for everyone. We have seminars focused on:

    • Business Management
    • Growers & Plant Health
    • Landscape Design & Install
    • Tree Care
    • Fundamentals

    Industry-leading speakers will address a variety of topics that are top-of-mind in the green industry. Many seminars qualify for Continuing Education credits from the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Urban Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM), and Idaho Department of Agriculture (ID). We will link available CEUs after final approval has been received. 

    Connection-Building Trade Show

    Discover new varieties, new products, and new services at the Trade Show. The trade show is your opportunity to meet suppliers that can help you find solutions that will set you up for success. Grow your network. Grow your customer base. Grow your company.

    Register by December 1st and $ave!
    Register before the Early Bird deadline of December 1st for the best rates. Online registration is open through December 25th. Your registration includes admission to the Trade Show Exhibits free of charge and the seminars do not overlap with the Trade Show so you can attend both!

    Follow the link to register online, or download a printable Attendee Registration Form.

    To view Members-Only Discounted Registration prices, log in using the email address associated with your MNLA membership. 

    Conference Schedule

    Monday, January 5th

    Workshops:

    First Aid CPR AED Course

    Hardscape University - Day 1 of 2

     Tuesday, January 6th

    Workshops:

    Plant Health Care Clinic

    Irrigation College

    Hardscape University - Day 2 of 2

    Profit Margins Workshop

    Communication Breakdowns Workshop
    Cut Flower Workshop

    Trade Show

    Welcome Reception

     Wednesday, January 7th

    Conference Seminars

    Trade Show

    Awards Banquet

     Thursday, January 8th

    Networking Brunch

    Conference Seminars


     

    Looking for More Details on the Montana Green Expo Events? Read on to find out what's in store:

    The Trade Show portion of the MT Green Expo will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit with vendors and see what’s new for the upcoming year! Growers, educators, and industry suppliers  are all part of the trade show. A Cocktails with Exhibitors event will be held on Wednesday evening for a fun way to make new connections with exhibitors.

    The Annual Banquet and Awards Show will be on Wednesday evening. Relax, kick back and enjoy a delicious dinner and great entertainment. Find out who the winners are for the Best of Montana Landscapes and Container Planting contests, and meet the Member-of-the-Year!  A banquet ticket is included with all full 2-day conference registrations. If you register for 1-day only and would like to attend the Awards Banquet, contact the MNLA office to register.

    Networking Brunch will be held Thursday morning. Join us for a fun mix-and-mingle networking opportunity with your industry peers.

    The Annual Meeting Luncheon will be open to all attendees on Thursday, and is a good time to catch up with the MNLA Board of Directors to hear about plans for the future of the Association. You will have the opportunity to ask your questions and offer suggestions. Board member elections will be held during the Annual Meeting; we encourage you to come participate in electing the leaders that will shape the future of the MNLA.

    A Certified Plant Professional (CPP) Exam will be offered on Tuesday. This is one of only two times a year that we offer testing for this certification. Space is limited, so make sure you register early. You can register for the exam by following this link: Certified Plant Professional Exam Registration.

    Lodging. We have a room block set up at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center for Montana Green Expo attendees. We have negotiated a discounted rate of $129/night. The group discount does expire, so reserve your room early. To receive the discounted rate, reserve before December 15th, 2025. Room reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly: 406-248-7151, or by following this link to book online. You may need to adjust the dates in online booking to view all available rooms. Ask for the Montana Nursery and Landscape Association group rate when booking over-the-phone. 

    Very Important: MNLA does NOT use a third-party service for hotel reservations. You should make your reservations directly with the hotel through our booking link, or by calling the hotel directly. If contacted by a company representing themselves as an authorized housing company for the conference, please note that MNLA does not contract for such services and these companies are not affiliated with the MNLA or Montana Green Expo. (If you have made reservations through such a third party, you may wish to consider cancelling those reservations and notifying your credit card company to ensure that no fraudulent charges are posted against your account.)

    We look forward to seeing you at the Montana Green Expo!



    Thank you to our Generous Sponsors


    Platinum Level



     

    Gold Level

    Available


    Silver Level

    Available


    Bronze Level

    Available


       

                    

    Online registration closes December 25th. To register after that time, contact us, or register in-person at the Montana Green Expo Registration Table, located in the conference center at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Ln., Billings, MT, from 7:00 - 8:30 am on Jan. 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th.


    Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration for the Montana Green Expo, you must contact our office before December 24 to receive a full refund. Cancellations received after December 24 and before January 1 will receive a 75% refund of registration fees. Refunds will not be made for cancellations received after January 1.

    Questions? Contact us: expo@plantingmontana.org or call 406-755-3079.

    *While we try to keep the schedule that is posted on our website, schedules may change in order to accommodate the special needs of the presenters or the hotel. MNLA reserves the right to substitute speakers or modify the convention schedule as the need arises. The final schedule will be printed in programs that will be available at the registration desk. Changes may also be announced outside seminar rooms or posted on the announcement board at the registration desk.


    • January 06, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Ln., Billings, MT
    • 20
    Register

    Prove your plant knowledge!

    The next Certified Plant Professional (CPP) Exam will take place on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (during the MT Green Expo convention), at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings, MT. A discounted room block has been arranged at the Billings Hotel; ask for the Montana Nursery and Landscape Association rate when making your room reservation to receive the discounted rate.

    Eligible applicants need to apply online by following the link to register, or submit a completed application, documentation of nursery employment and the appropriate fees to the MNLA office by December 15th, 2025. Download the application form here. If you are a current MNLA member, or work for an MNLA member, you are eligible to register at the discounted members-only rate.

    The certification tests are generally given twice a year, in January at the annual Montana Green Expo and in July at the annual SummerTour. The exam consists of a plant identification test and a written test. The exam is based on the Certification Manual and on practical information gained from employment in the industry, and on identification of the correct genus, species, common name, and cultivar (if appropriate) for each plant.

    The ID portion of the exam is 50 plant specimens, based upon plants covered in Choosing Trees and Shrubs for Montana Landscapes, by George Evans and Alan Epps, as well as lists of Montana perennials and woody plants. These publications and lists are included in the manual. The second portion of the exam is a 200 question written exam of the principles and practices of virtually all aspects of the nursery industry. A passing grade is 75% for both parts of the exam. Bring at least two sharpened pencils to take the exam. We also recommend that you bring several sheets of scratch paper.

    Please see the Education & Certification page on our site for details on eligibility and renewal as well as a number of additional forms and how to order your CPP Manual (a highly recommended book for preparing for the exam). Manuals are available as either a hard-copy version or PDF format, and can be ordered by submitting an order form to the MNLA office before December 15th.

    Questions? Contact us.


    • January 06, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • January 08, 2026
    • 3:00 PM
    • Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane, Billings, MT 59101
    Register

    We hope the following information will help you efficiently prepare for the 2026 Montana Green Expo January 6-8, 2026, in Billings, MT.

    Booth reservations are currently being accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Follow the link to register, or contact our office with questions.

    We look forward to having you join us for this exciting annual event! For questions that are not answered here, please contact us at: 406.755.3079  or email expo@plantingmontana.org.

    SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

    Montana Green Expo - Trade Show & Convention

    January 6-8, 2026

    Exhibitors MOVE-IN Tues., Jan 6

    8:00am -3:30pm

    Exhibitor Meeting  Tues,  Jan 6  3:30pm - 3:45pm 
    Trade Show Open  Tues,  Jan 6  4:00pm - 7:00pm 
    Welcome Reception on Trade Show Floor  Tues,  Jan 6 5:00pm - 7:00pm 
    Trade Show Open        Wed., Jan 7  2:30pm - 6:30pm
    Cocktails with Exhibitors on Trade Show Floor Wed,  Jan 7 5:00pm - 6:30pm 
    Awards Banquet & Silent Auction Wed,  Jan 7 6:30pm - 9:30pm 
     Optional Exhibitors Early MOVE-OUT Wed,  Jan 7   6:30pm - 9:30pm 
    Exhibitors MOVE-OUT Thur., Jan 8 7:30am - 12:00pm

    1

    Booth Reservations:  You can request up to three choices for booth location. Check the 2026 Expo Map for available booths. We will do our best to accommodate your booth choice, but know that booths fill up quickly and the space you request may no longer be available. We will contact you with alternative options if this occurs. You can also download the Booth Booking Form and email in your registration if you prefer.  A booth contract will be sent to you once we have assigned a booth per your choices. Payments are due within 15 days of booking your space.

    2

    Name Badge and Special Event Tickets:

    One FREE Convention registration is included with your booth rental, which includes all conference seminars on Wednesday and Thursday for that person (this seminar pass does not include the pre-conference workshops). All individuals must have a Convention badge to attend the seminars. If you wish to register additional representatives for the convention seminars, you can add them on the Name Badge and Special Event Registration Form (we will link when available). Sign-up reminders will be emailed to all exhibitors prior to the EXPO. If your representatives plan to attend additional meals and/or special events like the Awards Banquet Wednesday evening, or luncheons during the conference, they will need to register for those meals. Download the Exhibitor Name Badge and Special Event Registration Form and indicate which events they will be attending, the names of each representative, and email to: expo@plantingmontana.org

    3

    Lodging: A discounted room block has been set up at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, at a rate of $129/night. Book your rooms early by calling (406) 248-7151 and asking for the Montana Nursery and Landscape Association rate, or book online using this link. Rates expire December 25, 2025.

    4

    Trade Show Move-In: Exhibitor MOVE-IN- starts the morning of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
    All exhibitors must be moved in by 3:30 pm on Tuesday, January 6th.

    EXPO Convention Services: We will again be working with K&J Convention Services. Additional furnishings, carpeting, booth setup assistance, drayage, and other booth accessories will be available for ordering through K&J. To view available services, visit their website: https://kjconventions.com/mtgreen beginning in mid-November.





     

    Sponsorship at the Expo

    Your sponsorship will make the event more successful. We urge you to take advantage of one of the many opportunities for sponsorship of the Montana Green Expo. We are happy to consider creative ideas to help, including convention bags, lanyards, coffee breaks, etc. Contact us about sponsorship opportunities, or download our Sponsorship Form.

    Silent Auction Fundraiser

    Our annual fundraising event will be held during the Awards Banquet on Wednesday evening. Please consider donating in a way that is meaningful to you. All proceeds directly benefit our members through our Scholarship Program and Community Beautification Fund. This is a great opportunity to support MNLA members through this fun event. Download the donation form here.

    Exhibitor Demonstrations

    Book a 15 or 30 minute time slot to reserve a demonstration of your product or service during the event. There is NO CHARGE - just register in advance.

    • May 06, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Venue TBD Bozeman, MT
    Register

    Irrigation Workshop

    Wednesday, May 6th

    1:00 pm - 4:00 pm



    This workshop is brought to you by the MNLA Bozeman Chapter as a follow-up to the irrigation meeting we held earlier this year. Many of you asked for a more in-depth, hands-on workshop - here it is! 


    This 3-hour course will focus on 2-wire Irrigation Wiring troubleshooting and best practices.

     

    Whether you're training new crew members or looking to fine-tune your own skills, this workshop will give you tools and knowledge you can implement this season. Bring your questions - time will be reserved at the end of the workshop for Q&A. 



    RSVP by April 29th - free for MNLA members, offered to non-members for a fee. 

    Register by selecting the button on this page, or download the registration form (we will link it when ready) and return to our office. 


    Course Instructor:

    Brad Meyer 

    HydroPoint

    Regional Sales Manager


    Brad Meyer serves as Regional Sales Manager for HydroPoint Data Systems in the Rocky Mountain Region. Prior to joining HydroPoint, he led Business Development and Strategic Account Management for DBC Irrigation Supply. Brad's background in both wholesale distribution and contracting lends a unique perspective to his role. Brad is dedicated to promoting correct strategies for both water management and water stewardship and frequently presents on the topic at industry events. 


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