The CNLA Leadership Summit provides the opportunity to connect with members from across the country, network with industry leaders, and gain fresh insights through sessions on the trending topics in horticulture and landscaping industry.

Event Schedule & Speaker Line-up: COMING SOON!

As part of the 2026 Leadership Summit, CNLA is proud to introduce the first-ever Emerging Leaders Forum. This exciting new initiative is designed to connect the next generation of industry leaders with peers and seasoned professionals. Participants will explore trending topics, gain valuable insights, and build meaningful connections to help grow and shape their green careers.

Call For Speakers

If you are interested in speaking at the upcoming event, please contact CNLA Event Specialist, Lauryn Smith.

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Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) seeks proposals from qualified speakers who can provide an in-person presentation at the upcoming Leadership Summit in Orangevillle, ON on February 3rd, 2026.

The CNLA Awards of Business Excellence recognizes Canadian companies and members that have actively raised professionalism in the horticulture & landscape industry.

Recipients of the 2026 Business Excellence Awards will be recognized at the inaugural gala in February at Hockley Valley resort in Orangeville, Ontario. Recipients will also receive compensation including: 2-nights hotel at Hockley Valley resort, 2 tickets to attend the CNLA Leadership Summit and Awards gala.

Additional recognition will be provided through national press releases, the CNLA Newsbrief publication, CNLA Membership Update and the CNLA Social Media.
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Application deadline is October 24, 2025.

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Best Business Practices Award‍

Award Focus: This award celebrates a company that demonstrates excellence in business management, with a focus on employee retention, employment and financial growth, and key business achievements.

Eligibility: Open to all CNLA member businesses in good standing.

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Most Innovative Business Award‍

Award Focus: This award recognizes a business that is leading the way through innovation—whether in technology, products, services, systems, or customer experience. The recipient will have demonstrated forward-thinking solutions that have positively impacted their operations and the industry at large.

Eligibility: Open to all CNLA member businesses in good standing.

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Sustainable Solutions Award

‍Award Focus: This award recognizes a company that has demonstrated leadership in sustainability through innovative environmental practices, operational efficiencies, and contributions to a greener, more resilient horticulture industry.

Eligibility: Open to all CNLA member businesses in good standing.

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‍Outstanding Volunteer Award‍

Award Focus: This award honours an individual who has gone above and beyond in contributing their time, energy, and passion to support the horticulture industry through volunteerism. Their service may include leadership, mentorship, committee involvement, event support, or other impactful contributions to CNLA and/or its provincial association partners.

Eligibility: Nominees must be a CNLA member (or affiliated with a member company) and have demonstrated a sustained and meaningful commitment to volunteerism in the industry.

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‍Emerging Leader Award‍

Award Focus: This award recognizes a young individual (aged 40 and under) who demonstrates leadership, passion, and dedication to the horticulture industry. Their contributions may include active involvement in CNLA and/or a provincial association, innovative thinking, community impact, or exceptional professional development and growth.

Eligibility: Nominees must be 40 years of age or younger and actively involved in the Canadian horticulture industry. They should be affiliated with a CNLA member business or provincial association partner.

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‍Green for Life Industry Award‍

Award Focus: To recognize a corporation or supplier's significant contribution to the industry as well as to honour an individual’s lifetime achievement in the horticulture industry, their lasting legacy.

Eligibility: A corporate entity, supplier or industry member in good standing.

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Landscaper of Distinction

‍Award Focus: This award recognizes a landscape construction, maintenance, or design company that has demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation, leadership, and professionalism in the past year. The award celebrates overall business success, key accomplishments, and contributions to the landscape horticulture industry.

‍Eligibility: Open to all CNLA member businesses in good standing.

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If you are interested in sponsoring the upcoming event, please contact Event Specialist, Lauryn Smith

Premium Award Sponsor | $15,000 each (non-exclusive)

Includes:

• 1 table at the Awards ceremony; 8 tickets to attend the full-day event
• Opportunity to add one promotional item to the participant bag
• Items must be delivered to the CNLA office 1 week prior to the event (2026)
• Display in the event hall (on venue-approval)
• Promotional video during the awards ceremony and posted on social media
• Logo on the award plaque/trophy that is being presented
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage

Award of Excellence for Best Business Practices	Award of Excellence for Most Innovative Business	Award of Excellence for Sustainable Solutions
CNLA Outstanding Volunteer Award	CNLA Emerging Leader Award	Green for Life Industry Award
2025 Garden Centre of Distinction	2025 Grower of Distinction	2025 Landscaper of Distinction

Dinner Sponsor | $10,000 (Awards Gala)

Includes:

• 4 tickets to attend the full-day event
• Display in the event hall (on venue-approval)
• Opportunity to add one promotional item to the participant bag
• Items must be delivered to the CNLA office 1 week prior to the event (2026)
• Logo exclusivity on dinner menu
• Logo on all event related communication
• Logo on printed event materials/signage

Media Sponsor | $7,500 + additional cost for logo exclusivity on select print material (see list below)

Includes:

• 4 tickets to attend the full-day event
• Dissplay in the event hall (on venue-approval)Logo on all event related communication
• Designated signage displayed by the media booth
• Opportunity to add one promotional item to the participant bag
  
  • Items must be delivered to the CNLA office 1 week prior to the event (2026)
• Logo exclusivity on your choice of printed material (first come, first serve):
  
  • Name Badges: +$75.00
  • Event Program x2 (Conference; Awards): +$75.00 each

Conference Session Sponsor | $3,000 (keynote adress); $1,500 (break-out session; non -exclusive)

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the half-day conference
• Promotional video to be played before the session
• Introduction of speaker (if different from the sponsoring company)
• Logo on introduction slide
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage

Emerging Leaders Keynote	Leadership Keynote
Break Out Session – Emerging Leaders Break Out Session – Emerging Leaders	Break Out Session – Leadership Break Out Session – Leadership

Wine Sponsor | $2,500

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the awards dinner
• Logo on wine bottles, which will be displayed on the tables during awards dinner
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage
  

Breakfast of Champions | $2,500

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the full-day event
• Dedicated signage on Breakfast buffet table
• Welcome address to attendees
• Banner display in event space
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage

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Lunch Sponsor | $2,500

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the half-day conference
• Dedicated signage on Lunch buffet table
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage

Reception Sponsor | $1,000 (Welcome Reception; Awards Reception)

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the half-day conference
• Dedicated signage on Lunch buffet table
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage
  

Refreshment Sponsors (Breaks) | $1,000 each (non-exclusive)

Includes:

• 1 ticket to attend the half-day conference
• Dedicated Signage on Refreshment Table
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on all printed event materials/signage
  

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Participant Bag Sponsor | $750 or In-Kind

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the half-day conference
• Dedicated signage on Lunch buffet table
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage
  

Brand Partner | $250 each (non-exclusive)

Includes:

• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage
  

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Plant Sponsor | In-kind Donation

Includes:

• 2 tickets to attend the full-day event
• Sponsor to source and supply the plants to be used as stage decor and tablecentrepieces for the full-day event
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on printed event materials/signage

Favour Sponsor | In-kind Donation

Includes:

• 1 ticket to attend the half-day conference
• Dedicated Signage on Refreshment Table
• Logo on all event related communications
• Logo on all printed event materials/signage
  

Add-Ons

• Promotional item in participant bag - $100.⁰⁰
• Event venue display (dependent on venue approval and display content) -$250^.00-$750^.00

Need help?

Lauryn Smith CNLA Events Specialist lauryn@cnla-acpp.ca (647) 724-8620