Ep. 29: Cultivate ‘26—Doing It Right (… plus HBD America!)

<p>In this episode, the Squad discusses the harsh realities of trade shows in 2026, industry relevance and strategies for maximizing your presence at iconic events like Cultivate. They also share practical tips for networking, how NOT to carry business cards and ways to get invited to post-show receptions with mini beef Wellington apps. This week’s Plant Wheel of Excitement lands on vegetative petunias and Mason shares a hot take related to AI. </p><p>iLandscape Show Episode: https://youtu.be/zmErzJdoHO4</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 - Welcome and episode overview</p><p>01:22 - Fourth of July experiences and rain in Illinois</p><p>07:03 - Preparation for Cultivate trade show: booth setup and key activities</p><p>12:08 - How to decide which trade shows to attend—and maximizing ROI</p><p>14:03 - The role of education sessions and strategic scheduling at industry events</p><p>18:16 - The value of networking, relationship-building and event engagement strategies</p><p>22:22 - Practical tips for pre-arranging meetings and avoiding time-wasters</p><p>25:20 - Tips for choosing which sessions and speakers to prioritize at Cultivate</p><p>28:43 - Exploring new plant varieties and product displays—what&#39;s worth your time</p><p>33:33 - The significance of industry receptions, special events and how to get invited</p><p>39:41 - Best trade show appetizers and social tips for mingling</p><p>44:25 - Team dynamics at trade shows: staying connected and approachable</p><p>55:40 - Vegetative petunias: trends, pros, cons and landscape use</p><p>58:34 - Fertilizer practices for petunias and other annuals</p><p>62:14 - The hype and reality of AI in horticulture and plant breeding</p><p>64:12 - Closing thoughts: plans for Cultivate recap and upcoming episodes</p>