As we turn the page on the calendar, the January issue always serves as a unique vantage point. It is the bridge between the hard work of the past 12 months and the fresh potential of the next. Looking back at 2025, we see a year defined by our collective grit. It was a year where the landscape, nursery and garden centre trades navigated tightening economic conditions, geopolitical tensions, fluctuating consumer confidence and the ever-present pressures of weather and workforce challenges.

Despite these headwinds, our community didn’t just survive; they adapted. Now, as we step into 2026, LO is shifting from adaptation to acceleration. This year, our focus is singular: delivering high-value networking, training and education that directly addresses the friction points in your business.

A year of grit and advocacy

Before we look forward, we must acknowledge the ground we gained in 2025.
 

A special salute to Ed Hansen

As we reflect on the success and resilience of the past year, it is impossible not to mention the driving force at the helm of our Provincial Board of Directors. I want to take a moment to express a gracious and heartfelt 
thank you to our outgoing president, Ed Hansen.

Ed’s commitment to serving the LO community has been nothing short of voracious. If leadership is measured by showing up, Ed has set a standard that will be hard to match. He has clocked tens of thousands of kilometres in his term criss-crossing the province to attend Chapter events, golf tournaments, allied association gatherings and countless provincial meetings. Ed made it his mission to be present, to listen and to represent our members in every corner of Ontario.

To this most incredible volunteer, I offer a sincere tip of my hat. Not only has he been a steadfast leader for our trade, but he has also become a great friend along the way. Ed, your dedication has strengthened the very fabric of this association and we are all better for it.

High-value connections and training

If 2025 was about weathering the storm, 2026 is about building a better ship. We know the top challenges you face: labour retention, operational efficiency and the transition to sustainable equipment. Our 2026 education and training lineup is built to solve these specific problems.

Specialized training and education for industry sectors

General knowledge is good, but specialized expertise drives operational efficiency and profit. This winter, we are rolling out a series of targeted events designed to upskill your teams before the spring rush:

• Landscape Designers Conference (Jan. 5): Kicking off Congress week with a focus on sustainable design and navigating municipal by-laws.
• IPM Symposium (Jan. 15): This virtual event provides critical updates on pest management, protecting our plant health while managing compliance.
• Plant Symposium (Feb. 3): Reconnecting with our horticultural roots and exploring new resilient plant varieties for a changing climate.
• Irrigation and Lighting Conferences (Feb. 24-25): Two days dedicated to the technical trades that drive high-margin add-ons and water efficiency, with an opportunity to learn about new trends, technologies and products for the year ahead.
• Green Trade Expo (March 3-4): Ottawa Chapter’s longstanding trade show and conference. Featuring over 100 exhibitors, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of products and services while also participating in a full schedule of educational seminars and live demonstrations.
• Gear Up For Spring (March 24): Golden Horseshoe Chapter can help you start your season off right — so gather your team and join your fellow LO members for a day of training, seminars, a trade show and networking.
• Professional Development Seminars: From November until late April, we deliver over 120 training seminars both in person at our facility in Milton and online. With topics that are highly technical in nature to business and leadership-related learning, there is something for everyone in your company. 

We know there are plenty of training limitations and challenges. This is why LO is investing in our facility and has begun construction on a 24,000-square-foot world-class training facility that will serve all sectors of the landscape horticulture trades. Expect to come to an open house in the early part of 2027!

Addressing the elephant in the room

We know that inflation and business costs remain the top concern for 2026. That is why our educational tracks this year are heavily weighted toward business operations. From sessions to streamline your back-office operations to workshops on proper estimating in a high-inflation economy, our goal is to help you protect your margins.

We are also doubling down on learning and networking opportunities. In a digital world, the high value of a handshake, a shared war story or a tip from a fellow business owner cannot be overstated. Our Chapter meetings and Sector groups are being revitalized to ensure you never have to problem-solve in isolation.

2026 is the year we elevate the "pro" in professional. Whether it’s through adopting alternative fuel powered fleets, using new government grants for training or simply refining your business systems, LO is here to help facilitate that growth.

The challenges of our trade are real, but so are the opportunities. Let’s make 2026 a year of purpose, profit and professional pride.

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