One of the most innovative, informative and imaginative industry events of the year – AmericanHort’s Cultivate’24 did not disappoint. Held in Columbus, Ohio, Cultivate is the industry’s largest trade show and conference, connecting every link in the horticulture chain under one roof.
Rob Lando, AmericanHort board chairman, acknowledges Lyndsi for her work and contributions as an outgoing board member.
Several of our staff members attended Cultivate’24 along with Loma Vista Nursery’s President Lyndsi Oestmann, who was recognized as an outgoing AmericanHort board member. For some of our staff, it was a return visit to this annual July event. For others, it was their first visit. For one of our team leaders, it was a remarkable event indeed. Alfredo Rios, our plant health manager, graduated from the AmericanHort Leadership Academy.
We’re proud of Alfredo Rios – a graduate of the 2024 AmericanHort Leadership Academy.
For this annual blog, we undertook an informal Q&A with each of the attending staff members. We asked for their thoughts not only about the event’s trade show and conference sessions, but about their key takeaways, how they will apply them to their daily work and what advice they have for industry colleagues who have yet to attend.
Nicole Crist, Loma Vista Nursery Intern
Top 3 takeaways?
Finally understanding how big of a show Cultivate is and how much of the industry attends. The importance of career development. This show is a great networking opportunity.
Key learnings for day-to-day work?
Key takeaways apply to my education, future career and my internship at Loma Vista Nursery. They include how to create a positive work environment and gain real life experience in the industry. I learned new skills for plant pathology diagnostics, which I will apply to my internship.
Most valuable aspect of the trade show?
Walking the trade show floor is a valuable aspect because you get to see all of the new technological advancements that are occurring in the industry, along with new plant varieties. Both these things are super valuable to know the direction the horticulture industry is moving and to see the latest trends.
Favorite conference sessions?
I attended several sessions and the Women in Horticulture luncheon. The session I enjoyed the most and learned the most from was “How to Gain Trust” as a young professional. I learned skills that will help me throughout my career. It taught me the importance of trust and what that looks like in a professional setting. It also helped me understand how being a young professional can be nerve-racking, but to not allow self-doubt to form. I enjoyed all the sessions since they were extremely beneficial to furthering my career.
What did you enjoy most?
I learned so much from all the sessions I attended. They allowed me to understand and learn different aspects of horticulture that I may not have learned in school. I also learned about the opportunities that are available for furthering education and success.
Advice for those who haven’t attended?
Wear comfortable shoes, bring a jacket and attend sessions that aren’t in your usual scope of interest. You will learn something new and be exposed to ideas and other areas of horticulture.
New varieties of plants for 2025 were on display during AmericanHort’s Cultivate’24, held recently in Columbus, Ohio.
Philip Davis, Propagation Manager
Top 3 takeaways?
Learning about new commercial and biological controls. The future of robotics in the industry. The impact of climate change/weather patterns and the importance of being able to adapt.
Key learnings for day-to-day work?
I plan to trial new products and techniques to bring into our propagation and perennial program.
Most valuable aspect of the trade show?
Definitely putting faces to names. It is much more progressive communicating in person.
Favorite conference sessions?
Sessions I attended were perennial stock plant management, commercial and biological controls, a production tour and updates on current pests. I very much enjoyed the talk on perennial stock plant management. There were a couple of techniques for deriving juvenile plant material from mature plants that I have not tried before.
What did you enjoy most?
I have worked in this industry for 20 years. Seeing the advancements in plant material has always been very interesting. Every year I see one or two new plants that really excite me.
Advice for those who haven’t attended?
It’s a lot to take in. Don’t be overwhelmed. Pace yourself walking the show. Don’t be afraid to meet vendors and speakers and to ask questions. Don’t forget to take a lot of pictures!
Additional thoughts?
I was very excited to finally see the ‘Firefly’ petunia, an incandescent annual. I can’t wait to see the advancements of this technology.
It’s all about the plants during Cultivate! Mark your calendars for Cultivate’25 – July 12-15. We’ll see you there!
Angel Duran, Shipping Assistant
Top 3 takeaways?
For me, they are how big the industry really is and how many things I can still learn. Also, how different nurseries operate and what they find most important. And how great it is to bond with coworkers outside of the natural work setting.
Key learnings for day-to-day work?
How I can use my strengths to lead and be a better leader to my team.
Most valuable aspect of the trade show?
I enjoyed learning more about the industry and what we can do to improve in our everyday tasks to make a difference for our team and the business.
Favorite conference sessions?
I attended different leadership sessions. The one I took the most from would be “Strengths Based Leadership.” That is, learning how to focus on what we are good at more, as opposed to what we lack.
What did you enjoy most?
I enjoyed all the different vendors and the variety of services they provide to help in business.
Advice for those who haven’t attended?
It’s a lot of information to take in and a lot of events are going on that can be overwhelming. Take your time, set a plan and enjoy time with coworkers.
Additional thoughts?
It was a great time. I would recommend it to anyone in the industry. I came away with some great advice and built on relationships with coworkers.
Loma Vista Nursery team members attending Cultivate’24 with Lyndsi Oestmann, president, from left, are Philip Davis, propagation manager; Angel Duran, shipping assistant; Nicole Crist, intern; and Carson Eilts, sales.
Carson Eilts, Sales
Top 3 takeaways?
I still have a lot to learn about the industry. Everyone in the industry is super-polite and willing to help and offer advice. I also learned how big the horticulture industry is, economically and socially.
Key learnings for day-to-day work?
I will be meeting with team members to discuss ideas for attracting customers.
Most valuable aspect of the trade show?
I found learning more about the industry as a whole to be most valuable. I am very new to the horticulture industry, so it was cool seeing all the different aspects – everything from new technologies with potting machines to new biologicals and chemicals to help with pests.
Favorite conference sessions?
I attended several, including “Garden Trends for 2024,” “Morning Jolt Keynote,” “Purpose Powered Marketing,” “The State of the Industry,” “The Latest in Plant Protection Solutions,” “Incorporating Sustainable Practices in Your Operation,” and “Great Game of Business.”
What did you enjoy most?
From the trade show, I enjoyed seeing all the companies we work with. It was nice putting faces to names of people.
Advice for those who haven’t attended?
Wear comfy shoes and bring a jacket. Be prepared to take a lot of notes.
Additional thoughts?
It was a great experience, and it was awesome to get to know my co-workers better.
Alfredo Rios, AmericanHort Leadership Academy graduate, Loma Vista Nursery
Alfredo Rios, Plant Health Manager
Top 3 takeaways?
Leadership Academy participation and support has grown from last year to this year and it looks like it will continue on that trend. Education sessions were great this year. They were well-balanced among the different parts of horticulture (nursery, greenhouse, landscape, etc.). The keynote speaker on Sunday – Chad Foster, the first blind executive to graduate from the Harvard Business School leadership program, was very inspirational.
Key learnings for day-to-day work?
One of the many items I will focus on is efficiency with our irrigation system, as well as teaching the team about ways to irrigate different crops and identify and manage diseases.
Most valuable aspect?
Graduating from the Leadership Academy was without doubt the most valuable aspect of my experience. The year-long training brought me tons of knowledge from becoming an inspiring leader for all employees to understanding big/complicated issues like numbers on balance sheets and income statements. Of course I enjoyed camaraderie, industry connections and overall growth.
Favorite conference sessions?
I attended a few sessions, including irrigation and labor savings, weed control and herbicide rotation. But I think Sunday’s keynote – “Blind Ambition: Thriving Through Adversity” – was the most valuable for sure.
What did you enjoy most?
I enjoyed talking to people and vendors that I haven’t seen in a long time. But the machinery and technology on the trade show floor is what I enjoyed the most.
Advice for those who haven’t attended?
Download the Cultivate app and read about the different racks. Fill in your planner with two to three sessions per day on topics that are related to nursery management. But attend at least one session about landscaping, greenhouse or another industry topic to grow in understanding about other areas of horticulture.
Additional thoughts?
Walking the trade show floor and splitting up sessions with co-workers can be beneficial. Having somebody to bounce ideas back-and-forth should expand vision on how to use machines, updated processes or just become more efficient. Daily check-ins with colleagues about sessions they attended provides discussion and feedback about someone’s understanding on topics they attended. And of course, team-building activities together over lunch or dinner helps create a better bond and may help uncover hidden talents.
Learn More About Loma Vista Nursery’s Landscape Plants
Loma Vista Nursery expertly grows a variety of perennials, trees and shrubs for Midwest independent garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors. Our staff members are experts in the field who love helping people learn about plants and understand more about the healthy varieties we grow.
For help with orders and plant-related questions, send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com or call (785) 229-7200. Review our plant catalog for more information and review our website to learn about our values and best-practices as a Midwest plant grower.
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