Landscape Design Unplugged
Elevate your perspective at the fourth annual Landscape Illinois Design Unplugged, hosted at The Morton Arboretum. This isn’t just another seminar—it’s a unique indoor/outdoor experience designed to spark creativity and connection. Immerse yourself in a vibrant exchange of ideas as local design experts Ashley Marrin, Bekki Mihelich, and Gregory Pierceall share their raw insights, real-world challenges, and hard-won experiences in an unscripted, relaxed atmosphere.
The inspiration continues beyond the panel with an exclusive guided tour of The Morton Arboretum’s Grand Garden. This stunning setting provides the perfect backdrop to catch your breath and connect with your peers over a drink. Whether you are a landscape architect, designer, or industry enthusiast, Design Unplugged offers a rare opportunity to build your network and find camaraderie among the trees.
2026 Design Unplugged panelists:
Ashley Marrin, Bret-Mar Landscape
Ashley Marrin grew up in the landscape industry, learning firsthand from her parents, two landscape architects who founded Bret-Mar Landscape more than 40 years ago. After earning her degree in Landscape Architecture from South Dakota State University, she joined the family business and has since gained experience across nearly every aspect of the company, including design, sales, estimating, project installation and coordination, finance, marketing, and operations.
Today, Ashley and her brother, Adam, own and lead Bret-Mar Landscape. Her broad industry experience provides a unique perspective on both the creative and business sides of landscape contracting. Ashley is a past president of Landscape Illinois and continues to serve on its Board of Directors.
Greg Pierceall, ASLA, Purdue University
Greg Pierceall, ASLA, is a Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture from Purdue University, having taught there for twenty-eight years. Greg earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1975 and has taught at numerous universities; he is licensed in Illinois and Indiana. His landscape architecture practice includes education and consultation in site and landscape design. Regional projects include the design and development of the Smart Garden at the Smart Home at the Museum of Science and Industry, which received the Mayor Daley’s Best Public Garden Award in 2009. He has authored five books in the area of site and landscape design practices. He was also the Landscape Illinois Man of the Year in 2008, and received the Landscape Illinois Outstanding Service Award in 2004 and the APLD International Award of Distinction in 2003.
Bekki Mihelich, Pathways Landscape Design
Bekki Mihelich is a seasoned horticulture and landscape design professional with more than 25 years of experience spanning nursery sales, residential landscape design, and most recently, designing high‑end inground pool environments. She combines her academic foundation in horticulture and environmental studies (University of Wisconsin-Madison) with decades of hands‑on expertise to create thoughtful, family‑focused outdoor spaces that balance beauty, function, and relaxation. Beyond her design work, she is deeply rooted in her community and enjoys spending her free time with family, friends, church, and two beloved fur babies.
Moderator: Meagan Provencher, Wasco Nursery
Organizer: Melissa Custic
Click here to contact [email protected] for further information about this event.
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