2026 CNLA
Leadership Summit

The CNLA Leadership Summit is where Canada’s green industry comes together to share ideas, spark innovation, and strengthen connections. Join members, peers, and industry leaders from across the country for a day, and evening of networking, collaboration, celebration, and forward-thinking sessions focused on the latest trends shaping horticulture and landscaping today.

OUR SPEAKERS

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Gerry Friesen
‍Cultivating Resilience: Growing Through Stress and Change

Gerry Friesen, AKA The Recovering Farmer, is an author, mental health advocate, and stress and conflict management specialist. Drawing on his farming experience and personal journey with anxiety and depression, he equips others with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. Known for honesty, heart, and occasional humour, Gerry leads with compassion and a deep respect for rural resilience, sharing a message of hope because he’s lived it himself.

Peter Guinane
Session Topic COMING SOON!

Peter Co-founded Oriole Landscaping in 1986, building a reputation of high-quality and superior service. Oriole has dozens of awards including three times for most innovative design, and once the Dunnington-Grubb for best overall landscape.

Peter enjoys giving back, currently Chair of Landscape Canada, Chair of the CLS (Canadian Landscape Standard), Vice Chair for the Green Cities Foundation and a Director at Landscape Ontario and CNLA.

Peter’s mission is to bring excellence to the landscape industry in any way possible. Peter has spearheaded many community projects and led seminars at industry events to share what he has learned. Peter has also added consulting to his services so he can mentor other professionals directly.

‍Jason Maraschiello
Integration of Mental Health and Emerging AI Technologies

Jason is a TEDx speaker, author, mindfulness coach, counsellor, and hypnotherapist. After experiencing corporate burnout in his twenties, he left Canada to study diverse traditions and philosophies around the world.

Upon returning home, Jason became a keynote speaker and continued his studies in psychology, psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy. Driven by a passion for communication, mental health, and personal growth, he has spent over a decade speaking at conferences, facilitating corporate team-building events for clients including Bell Canada, Roche, the City of Toronto, Amazon, and coaching professionals one-on-one.

The Emerging Leaders Forum

New for 2026, CNLA is proud to launch the Emerging Leaders Forum. A dynamic space for up-and-coming professionals to engage in round-table discussions, exchange ideas, and gain practical insights to help grow and shape their green careers. Whether you are leading change or just starting to build your path, the CNLA Leadership Summit is your opportunity to learn, connect, and lead the future of our industry.

KEYNOTE & ROUND TABLE SESSION

Breanna Beck
Communication + Conflict Management

Born into a second-generation nursery family, Breanna grew up surrounded by the green industry—whether folding garden centre trays on Friday nights or detouring to chase moose from the nursery before school. Her early summers were spent mowing between tree rows, transplanting stock, and working her way up through the landscape division.

After earning her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary, Breanna joined her family business, Parkland Nursery and Landscape Services Ltd., full time. Now Project Manager and Landscape Construction Supervisor, she recently completed her Landscape Horticulturist Journeyman and Red Seal designation. Despite her management role, she still finds time to get her boots dirty with the crews and in the fields.

A third-generation grower, Breanna serves as Chair of Landscape Alberta Nursery Producers, Vice Chair of CNLA’s Growers Group, and Vice Chair of CNLA’s Emerging Leaders.

Round-Table Session Topics include:

1) Working across generations: bridging experience and fresh ideas
2) Pursuing a Green Career: from student to professional
3) Taking the next step in your professional journey

PANEL DISCUSSION

Success Stories from Emerging Leaders in Horticulture

	Alexander Godfrey, Nursery Lead Lakeland Plant World – Godfrey Group of Companies – Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Alexander Godfrey was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and most recently joined his family business, The Godfrey Group of Companies, as the Nursery Lead at Lakeland Plant World in Dartmouth. A graduate of Dalhousie University (2018) and NSCC’s Business Administration program (2022), Alexander has worked across various areas of the family business, including several years of intensive training at Barton Grange Garden Centre in Lancashire, England.
	Andy Walker, Founder & Owner Andy’s Lawn & Landscape – Burlington, Ontario Andy Walker is the founder and owner of Andy’s Lawn & Landscape, a Burlington-based hardscape and property maintenance firm. What began as a single neighbourhood lawn contract has grown into a leading company serving residential and commercial clients across Hamilton and Halton. Andy is known for his high standards, innovative approach, and strong leadership in creating exceptional outdoor spaces.
	Nick Winkelmolen, Production Head Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd. – Lynden, Ontario Nick Winkelmolen is a second-generation grower and head of production at Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd., overseeing 825 acres of native and ornamental field-grown trees. He manages teams of 20 to 75 depending on the season and has served as chair of the Landscape Ontario Growers Group. Nick also sits on the CNLA Growers Committee and LO’s research subcommittee.
	Sean Christie, President Rugged Earth Landscaping & Wild Landscape Lighting – Muskoka, Ontario Sean Christie is the President of Rugged Earth Landscaping and Wild Landscape Lighting, leading teams that create award-winning outdoor spaces across Muskoka and beyond. Recipient of Landscape Ontario’s Young Entrepreneur Award (2023) and leader of a Horst Dickert Memorial Award–winning company (2025), Sean blends teaching experience with entrepreneurial insight to mentor others and advance leadership and design excellence in the landscape sector.

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‍Register before December 12th, 2025 and receive $50.00 off your registration! ***

Package Options:‍

Full-Day Event (includes Emerging Leaders Forum, Leadership Summit, Business Awards, Lunch & Dinner)
$395.00 for members; $495.00 for non-members
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‍Summit Package (includes Emerging Leaders Forum, Leadership Summit + Lunch)$200.00 for members; $300.00 for non-members
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‍Emerging Leaders Forum + Business Awards (Lunch + Dinner included)$275.00 for members; $375.00 for non-members
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‍Leadership Summit + Business Awards (Lunch & Dinner included) $275.00 for members; $375.00 for non-members
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‍Awards of Business Excellence ONLY
$195.00 for members; $295.00 for non-members
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‍Emerging Leaders Forum ONLY (Lunch included)
‍$120.00 for members; $220.00 for non-members
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‍Leadership Summit ONLY (Lunch included)
‍$120.00 for members; $220.00 for non-members

‍STUDENT RATES AVAILABLE: Please inquire with Lauryn Smith (lauryn@cnla-acpp.ca)
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** Registration will close on January 20th, 2026 at 11:59PM EST.
*** Provincial association members and endorsed supplier partners will receive member pricing on all registrations

Registration

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2026 National Awards of Business Excellence

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

Recipients of the 2026 National Awards of Business Excellence will be recognized at the inaugural gala in February at Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville, Ontario.

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Applications and Nomination Forms are closed.

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Best Business Practices Award‍

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.

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Most Innovative Business Award‍

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.

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Sustainable Solutions Award

‍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.

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‍Outstanding Volunteer Award

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.

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‍Emerging Leader Award‍

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.

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‍Green for Life Industry Award‍

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.

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Landscaper of Distinction

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.

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Event Sponsorship

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

Download the sponsorship package!

Sponsorship Package

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

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