Are you interested in speaking at the Farwest Show?
Share your expertise with green industry professionals from across the West. Farwest is seeking engaging, educational presentations that provide practical ideas, current research and useful takeaways for nursery, greenhouse, retail and landscape professionals.
Speaker submissions are due December 16, 2026.
Speaker
Timeline
October 1, 2026:
Speaker recruitment opens
December 16, 2026:
Speaker recruitment closes
Early 2027:
Speakers notified of selection
SPEAKER GUIDELINES
Speaker Requirements
- Session information must be factual, delivered to educate the audience, and refrain from selling any products or services.
- Sessions must be structured to fill the full 50–60-minute scheduled timeframe. Speakers are expected to use the full allotted time and may not significantly shorten their presentation. Failure to meet the scheduled timeframe may jeopardize attendees’ ability to receive continuing education credits and results in a loss of time and resources for attendees and the OAN. Speakers who do not meet this requirement may not be invited to participate in future Farwest Show education programs.
- Speakers agree to comply with all deadlines for session content, travel arrangements, and A/V requests set by the OAN.
- Speakers authorize the OAN to use their name, likeness (photo, video, etc.), and background information in marketing materials to promote the Farwest Show and its education program.
- Presentations and session content must not violate the proprietary rights of others, including trademarks, privacy, or copyrights.
Strict No-Selling Policy
We uphold a strict “no-selling” policy for all our sessions. Submissions should prioritize providing meaningful insights, useful knowledge, and practical strategies, without any promotional content.
Selection Process
The Farwest Show offers one-hour seminar sessions as part of its education program. All presenters and topics submitted are reviewed by the OAN’s education committee before approval. Sessions will be selected based on their timeliness, ingenuity, and relevance to the green industry. Our goal is to create a balanced education program to inspire and educate leaders in the green industry today and in the future.
TOPIC CATEGORIES
Topics include (but are not limited to):
- Nursery, greenhouse, and wholesale grower production practices
- Soil health, substrates, fertilizers, and nutrient management
- Climate resilience, sustainability, and environmental stewardship
- Mechanization, automation, robotics, AI, and emerging technologies
- Labor, workforce development, safety, and human resources and succession planning
- Native plants, pollinator plants, and environmental stewardship
- Tree care, arboriculture, and urban forestry
- Horticulture, plant science, and industry research
- Retailer trends, merchandising, and consumer behavior
- Sales, branding, digital marketing, and e-commerce strategies
- Regulatory compliance, certifications, and industry policy updates
- Horticultural research, innovation, and university/industry partnerships
- New plant introductions, plant breeding, and horticultural innovations
- Irrigation efficiency, water quality, and climate-resilient growing practices
- General horticulture and plant-focused education
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) topics:
- Pest, disease, and weed identification and diagnosis
- Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies
- Scouting, monitoring, thresholds, and early detection
- Biological and cultural controls
- Beneficial insects and biological control programs
- Pollinator protection and pesticide stewardship
- Pesticide resistance management
- Reduced-risk and alternative pest-management strategies
- Weed management and herbicide strategies
- Emerging pests, diseases, and invasive species
- Plant health and pest prevention
- Pesticide regulations, compliance, and application technology
- Diagnosing plant problems and distinguishing pest, disease, nutrient, and environmental issues
Landscape Design & Management topics:
- Landscape design and architecture
- Landscape installation and construction
- Landscape maintenance and management
- Irrigation design, efficiency, and water management
- Sustainable and climate-resilient landscapes
- Native and regionally appropriate plants
- Pollinator and wildlife-friendly landscapes
- Soil health and site preparation
- Plant selection and plant performance
- Trees, shrubs, and woody plant management
- Urban forestry and the urban tree canopy
- Green infrastructure and stormwater management
- Ecological and regenerative landscape practices
- Hardscape/material trends and installation
- Managing landscapes for drought, heat, and changing climate conditions
- Landscape business management, estimating, and project management
Writing Strong Session Titles and Descriptions
Length Guidelines:
- Title: Keep it concise—ideally between 8 and 15 words.
- Description: Limit to 150 words or less. Attendees often prefer shorter summaries around 75–100 words
Creating Compelling Titles
- Your title should clearly and accurately reflect your topic while sparking interest.
- Think of it as your headline—make it specific, relevant, and focused on what the attendee will gain.
- Consider what will matter most to your audience. Instead of stating the topic, emphasize the value or benefit.
- Example: “Boost Team Productivity with Effective Leadership Practices” is stronger than “Leadership Strategies.”
- Example: “Maximizing Greenhouse Yield Through Smart Irrigation Techniques” is stronger than “Irrigation Tips.”
- A good title answers the attendee’s question: “Why should I care?”
Writing Effective Descriptions:
- Focus on takeaways and the value attendees will receive.
- Write in third person (e.g., “attendees will learn” rather than “you will learn”).
- Avoid mentioning speaker names or organizations—keep the focus on content.
- Explain how your session solves a problem or addresses a challenge.
- Set realistic expectations about what will be covered and identify who will benefit most.
- Use active, engaging language and skip unnecessary phrases like “In this session, our speaker will…”
- Example: “Learn how to optimize substrate composition for better growing conditions.”
