It’s easy to wander the ELEVATE Expo aimlessly, but doing so can cause you to miss out on valuable connections and innovations that solve challenges your company is facing.
If you want to maximize your experience, it all comes down to intentionality. How you prepare before the event, what you do during the Expo and the steps you take after returning home all play a factor in how worthwhile your time on the trade show floor is.
Have a Plan, But Leave Room for Discovery
John Baxter, owner of Deep Roots Landscape, LLC, based in Clermont, Georgia, recommends having a decent plan ahead of time.
“It’s easy to get into travel plans, and course plans and casually attend the Expo without thinking of the value it can bring,” Baxter says. “And once in the Expo, it’s often easier to connect with people I already know versus meeting new people. Spending some time during travel to lay out a plan for the Expo is key. Knowing where the vendors are located and the questions to solve go a long way.”
Baxter says when planning, he briefly researches the companies he knows and a few companies he wants to learn about and tries to visit those exhibitors first.
Miles Kuperus Jr., founder and CEO of Farmside Landscape & Design, based in Wantage, New Jersey, says he goes to the Expo with specific problems in mind that he’s looking to solve.
Kuperus says he tends to be pleasantly surprised by the brands he finds on the floor. He recommends approaching new brands with an open mind.
“I’m also a huge fan of innovation, so attending the Expo with an open mind for new products gets my mind moving in a creative way,” Baxter says.
Mark Ables, president and CEO of Ables Landscapes, based in Hollywood, South Carolina, says every year his team goes to the Expo with something that they’re interested in, whether that be software or equipment.
“Equipment-wise, for example, we do not use battery-operated mowers currently or robotic mowers,” Ables says. “But that’s something that we’ve been watching, and so the past couple years we’ve just been really talking to those guys to see if it makes sense now for us or not.”
Ables says he doesn’t tend to research exhibitors ahead of time, but he will reach out to some of the brands they already work with to see if they will be attending.
Kuperus adds you don’t need to overwhelm yourself.
“Just take it in stride,” Kuperus says. “Don’t try to do everything and be everything. Just stay focused on what matters to you and really go from there.”
Balance Existing Relationships with New Opportunities
The Expo is also a time for attendees to connect with their existing vendors while meeting new suppliers.
“I can tend to want to visit the vendors I know the most because it’s continued relationship building,” Baxter says. “I generally try to get comfortable with the showroom floor the first day, and then as I get to recognize more people and vendors I branch out the second day.”
Kuperus says 80% of his time is spent with their current vendors and the other 20% is prospecting new suppliers.
“The critical thing on the floor that we work on is to continue to network and build relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers who are supplying us and getting critical contacts within that group,” Kuperus says.
Ables says it’s often nice to put a face to a name and meet in person with some of the brands they work with throughout the year, but he prioritizes meeting with brands he’s unfamiliar with.
“I’m spending more time with ones I don’t know, and it’s getting into a conversation about what the software can do, or just really exploring their products with them on the floor,” Ables says.
Take Advantage of Show Floor Education Sessions
The show floor isn’t just filled with vendors to network with; it also offers several different education opportunities through the Innovation Stage presentations and the Peer Circle Chats.
“I think you should definitely take advantage of those, and you’ll still have plenty of time to see everything on the floor,” Ables says. “I’ve never felt rushed with any of it. I think there’s plenty of time to do the education and walk the floor.”
Baxter says it’s best to arrive before the peer discussions begin, stay the whole time and connect with like-minded people after. He says often someone may say something during the session that can be a great segue into helping them or them helping you with a problem.
“I remember one last year that was helpful was about discussing podcasts and books, and that’s something I really enjoy just personally growing by listening or reading and hearing, and that one they passed the mic a lot,” Ables says. “Between the leaders and the peers around the circle everybody was giving their recommendations, and so there were a few podcasts I picked up from that that I’ve listened to since last year, and a book or two as well.”
Kuperus recommends writing your critical notes on the back page of your notebook during the education portions so your action items don’t get lost.
Baxter says if you feel torn between visiting booths and going to the Peer Circle Chats, focus on your priorities.
“If you need to hear some educational pieces, schedule those so you don’t miss them,” Baxter says. “Know the vendors you want to see and in between sessions and vendor visits, look for interesting people to talk to. Anywhere at ELEVATE is a great place to connect and learn.”
Lean Into Meeting New People
One of the most critical aspects of being successful at the ELEVATE Expo is being willing to get out of your comfort zone.
Ables says he’s been guilty of this at times, but choosing not to engage can be detrimental to the company in the long run.
“Some people would rather just go back to the hotel room and enjoy some downtime, especially after a long day of classes,” Ables says. “But you’re missing out if you do that. You want to take advantage of that time and build relationships, and that only happens through that face-to-face time.”
Ables acknowledges that not everyone enjoys being outgoing but encourages attendees to take that step.
“Go into it with a goal like, ‘Hey, I want to meet three new people today,’ and try to find some people who are in similar companies and make those connections, because that’s been the most beneficial part of NALP for me is the relationships that I’ve got with other landscapers,” Ables says.
Kuperus adds after meeting new people on the show floor, you should continue the relationship by spending quality time with them.
“When you get to the floor, you’re networking, whether it’s vendors or peers,” Kuperus says. “I would say networking is paramount, and building those relationships.”
Kuperus recommends not spending too much time with just one connection.
“You never know where relationship building will bring you in the future,” Baxter says.
“Use the opportunity there to talk to other businesses visiting the same vendors. Often you will hear things they are saying that apply to you and can be of help to you.”
Ables says it takes intentionality to build community in your network.
“The more relationships you have, the more you’re going to enjoy this, and the more you’re going to flourish as a leader at your company, because you’re going to have guys who you trust, who you can reach out to and understand what they’re using,” Ables says. “They’re making introductions to people and products that are already verified through them.”
Debrief with Your Team
Once ELEVATE concludes, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of information you come home with. Scheduling time to discuss the most valuable takeaways with your team can help turn those insights into action.
Ables says when he and his team return from ELEVATE, they compare notes about any products they need to look into further.
“We’ve all had separate conversations, and then some of those have overlapped, and we’ll say, ‘Yeah, I spoke to that guy too. I think that would be a win for us to learn more about it,’ Ables says. “And so that comes with a pretty intentional conversation once we return home about whether or not we should take the next step with the company.”
Kuperus says they will follow up with demonstrations and prototypes with equipment and doing sample trials of a product line.
“Once you get home, you’ve got a person who you can call as a critical resource for you moving forward,” Kuperus says. “And then as that friendship develops, it can develop into longstanding relationships and friendships that you travel to be with those folks. It’s a lifelong journey that will happen as part of your involvement within the industry.”
Don’t miss ELEVATE in Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 8-11, 2026. Register now!
