There will be plenty of opportunities for nursery professionals to network and socialize at the 2022 Farwest Show, opening in Portland on Wednesday, August 24. They will include special opportunities for young nursery professionals as well as women making their mark on the green industry.
“The nursery industry is based on personal relationships,” said Allan Niemi, events director for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces the show. “One of the best things about the Farwest Show is that it brings people together and lets them build vital connections for industry success. It is all about people.”
As a young nurseryman, Josh Robinson of Robinson Nursery (Amity, Oregon) helped create one of Farwest’s signature networking events, the Emergent Networking Event for new nursery professionals, those under 40, and others. Now he is serving as the OAN President.
“The social events at Farwest bring tremendous value,” Robinson said. “Speaking from personal experience, the connections I made at Emergent and other Farwest events in the early years have helped ignite my business and professional growth. People don’t just build friendships and professional relationships, but ultimately their knowledge base. Making connections is what makes you successful.”
The Farwest Show’s Networking and Social Events, which are all free for Farwest attendees, include the following:
- Emergent Networking Event, 3:30–5 p.m., Wednesday, August 24 — Join for this free event open to all horticulture professionals. Enjoy free appetizers and a complimentary beverage as you mingle with the brightest and most enthusiastic faces in the industry. Emergent began in 2011 with a handful of eager and talented horticulture professionals and continues to expand year after year.
- Farwest Happy Hour, 5–7 p.m., Wednesday, August 24 — Back by popular demand, enjoy delicious beverages and free appetizers as you mix and mingle with friends and colleagues to celebrate the completion of the first day of the show. Farwest exhibitor booth awards will also be announced during Happy Hour festivities, including the winner of Best of Show. Open to all Farwest participants.
- Women in Horticulture, 3:30–5 p.m., Thursday, August 25 — Join as everyone celebrates over 10 years of connecting women in the green industry. This is an inclusive event, and any advocate for women in horticulture is welcome, regardless of gender. Since its inception in 2010, the Women in Horticulture networking event at Farwest has been a place for women to share their experiences, build connections and strengthen career skills.
- Farwest Pub Crawl, 5 p.m.–late night, Thursday, August 25 — Let’s hit the town for another round. Socialize and network with new and old friends while snacking and relaxing. Join on the Farwest Pub Crawl for a fun-filled night of laughter and witty banter. The merriment starts at Spirit of 77, just a short journey across the street from the Convention Center, where light appetizers will be provided. The first 50 people to Spirit of 77 will receive a complimentary beverage. Produce Row will be the second stop; see www.FarwestShow.com for details.
Of course, the social and networking events are just the beginning of the benefits of attending the Farwest. Everyone attending Farwest with any kind of pass can attend the keynote by Greg Bell at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 24. He will inspire attendees and their companies to unleash their potential by adopting a high-performance mindset and focusing their attention on their core values and the things that matter most.
Following Bell’s keynote presentation, the trade show floor will open from noon–5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24. It will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday, August 25, and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Friday, August 26. Conference seminars will run all three days, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and the famous Farwest nursery tours will happen Tuesday, August 23.
Registration for the show and conference is live at; www.farwestshow.com/register.
There are several organizations offering professional credit for the various sessions. They include the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (OLCB), the Idaho Department of Agriculture (IDA), the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR).
Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN)
www.oan.org