US (OR): Networking events for Farwest Show announced

If you're a green industry professional, the 2025 Farwest Show is poised to supercharge your networking through four social and professional gatherings, plus a keynote that is all about culture and teamwork.

"No one ever succeeded in the nursery industry alone," said Jamie Moore, events and education coordinator for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces the show. "People exist in an ecosystem, just like the plants they grow. They need networking, connections, interaction, and interpersonal know-how in order to thrive. The 2025 Farwest Show is deliberately positioned to serve this vital need from bell to bell — and beyond."

The four major networking and social events at the Farwest Show are the following:

NexGen Networking Event, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 20 — This free event is open to all horticulture professionals and focused on the NexGen group. NexGen is a new OAN Nursery Professional and Leadership Group open to all members of the trade, with a special focus on those who are new to the industry or rising in their careers.

Farwest Happy Hour, 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 20 — This end-of-day gathering allows attendees to 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.

Women in Horticulture Networking Event, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21 — This gathering is an inclusive event where 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 Show

Farwest Pub Crawl, 5 p.m., Thursday, August 21 —This Farwest tradition offers a fun-filled night of witty banter and laughter, where attendees can socialize and network with new and old friends while snacking and relaxing. There are three stops: venerable taphouse Spirit of 77, the cocktail bar Dirty Pretty (with its swanky bar and outdoor patio), and Jackie's, a hip midcentury-style bar with a modern twist (and a rooftop patio).

Augmenting the focus on the interpersonal, this year's Farwest keynote address, "Plant Your People," will be delivered by nursery industry consultant and educator John Kennedy. He will share innovative approaches to employee investment and team development, offering a four-step plan to nurturing and supporting well-rooted teams through improved organizational culture, so they are ready to grow on day one.

The Farwest Show will take place Wednesday–Friday, August 20–22, 2025, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Oregon is a nursery industry epicenter, with $1.2 billion worth of plant sales in 2022, the most recent year tallied. Oregon's nursery offerings are incredibly diverse, including trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, vegetable starts, herbs, climbers, tropicals, houseplants and much more.