Are you interested in speaking at the Farwest Show?

Thanks for your interest in speaking at the Farwest Show. We are no longer accepting speaker submissions for the 2026 Show. Submissions received after December 12, 2025 will be considered for future shows.

Speaker Guidelines

Timeline:

October 2025: Speaker recruitment begins
December 12, 2025: Deadline for speaker submissions

Topic Categories Include (but are not limited to)

Pesticide application and integrated pest management (IPM)
Wholesale grower-focused information
Marketing, merchandising, retail, and business tactics
Landscape design and architecture ideas
Mechanization, technology, and innovation
Horticulture and plants

New for 2026: Automation Summit at Farwest

Farwest is excited to introduce the Automation Summit, a forward-looking initiative focused on how automation is transforming the nursery and greenhouse industry. This summit will bring together innovators, growers, and technology leaders to explore tools, systems, and strategies that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and address labor challenges.

Topic Categories Include (but are not limited to)

Innovation and emerging technologies
The role of artificial intelligence (AI)
Tariffs and their impact on automation costs
What’s on the horizon for automation in horticulture
Labor savings and workforce solutions
Industry needs for 2026 and beyond

Speaker Requirements

Session information must be factual, delivered to educate the audience, and refrain from selling any products or services.
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

There are two types of sessions offered at the Farwest Show: One-hour seminars hosted in the room tracts and 30-minute sessions at the Solution Center stage on the tradeshow floor.

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.

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.”