September 15-17, 2026

Growers Tour

Ohio Nurseries

 

Join the Growers Committee for a tour of nurseries in Ohio. Typically, this annual tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look of Illinois producers, but this year we’re taking the show on the road!

Tour Stops

Willoway Nurseries Inc

  • 550 acres of field production, 450 acres of container stock, 32 acres of greenhouse production – over 2,000 plant varieties!
  • Industry innovators in irrigation practices, IPM, automation, and sustainability
  • SANC Certified Nursery

Holden Arboretum

  • Part of the Holden Forests & Gardens institution, spans over 3,600 acres
  • Features the Kalberer Emergent Tower and Murch Canopy Walk which provide a unique perspective of the tree canopy and surrounding areas.

Green Circle Growers

  • One of the largest greenhouses in North American with over 15 acres of indoor growing space
  • Wholesale growers of houseplants, seasonal crops, tropicals, orchids, and succulents
  • Industry innovators in use of biologicals, reduction of plastic waste, data analytics, and use of rainwater for irrigation

AgriNomix

  • Automation experts for growers of all sizes, delivering solutions to streamline production
  • Proven solutions for nurseries to streamline planting, irrigation, harvesting, and more

Corso’s Horticulture

  • One of the largest perennial growers in Ohio with more than 1,000 varieties
  • Family owned for more than 80 years with more than 30 million in sales in 2024
  • Industry innovation includes pot recycling program with Lowe’s and Home Depot, use of ‘Flow Vision’ for shipping, and certified as an ‘MPS (More Profitable Sustainability) Grower

Tentative Schedule

Schedule subject to change as tour details are finalized.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

  • Attendees arrive in Avon, Ohio
  • Evening networking dinner with fellow participants*
    *Only 40 spots available – register early to secure your seat!

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

  • Morning tour at Willoway Nurseries (lunch will be served)
  • Afternoon educational visit to Holden Arboretum/Cleveland Botanic Garden
  • Evening networking gathering at the hotel

Thursday, September 17, 2026

  • Morning tour at Green Circle Growers
  • Tour and lunch at AgriNomix / AdeptAg (lunch will be served)
  • Additional afternoon production tour
  • Tour concludes late afternoon

Hotel Accommodations and Transportation

  • You coordinate your own transportation to Avon, OH.
  • Meetup with the group for an evening reception on Tuesday, 9/15. More details to follow.
  • Group transportation will be coordinated for tour activities on 9/16-9/17.
  • A room block has been secured at the Wyndham Avon for $99 per night. Deadline to reserve your room is August 26, 2026.
    • Guests may call the hotel at 440.695.1270 and ask for the “Landscape Illinois” block or use the direct booking link here.

Registration Options

Registration deadline: September 1, 2026 at 5:00pm

Stay the Weekend in the Cleveland, OH Area

Organizer: Kellie Schmidt

Click here to contact [email protected] for further information about this event.

THANKS TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS!