National Association of Landscape Professionals - Elevate Expo 2026
Event Date
November 8–11, 2026
Location
Tampa, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe NALP Elevate Expo (branded simply as ELEVATE) is the annual conference and trade show of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Designed for landscape and lawn care owners, executives, managers and emerging leaders, Elevate brings the industry together for four days of practical education, peer learning, supplier connections and high-value networking.
The event pairs a curated exhibit floor with a deep education program. ELEVATE education is built for landscape and lawn care professionals who want ideas they can actually use — learn from industry leaders, hear what is working inside companies like yours and join peer conversations designed around your role, specialty and stage of growth. Every part of the program is designed to help you solve business challenges, strengthen your team and return with clearer next steps.
For 2026, the program grows even broader. The Professional Grounds Management Society and the National Association of Landscape Professionals have announced the co-location of the PGMS 2026 Annual Conference: Transform with Elevate, taking place in Tampa, Florida from November 8-11. PGMS attendees will have access to Elevate's broader education, expo, and networking opportunities, and Elevate attendees can attend PGMS' concurrent education sessions.
Show Highlights
ELEVATE packs roughly 72 hours of programming into four days, blending main-stage sessions, concurrent education, peer roundtables and a focused Expo. Signature elements include:
- ELEVATE Connect — peer learning built into the conference. It brings peer learning into the heart of the conference through guided conversations, role-based roundtables, specialty discussions and hot-topic peer exchanges. Formats include Peer Circle Chats, Role-Based Roundtables, Let's Talk Shop and the Hot Topics Roundtable.
- ELEVATE Expo — a curated show floor for talking directly with manufacturers, suppliers and experts. Exhibits are organized around key categories: Technology & Software, Equipment & Fleet Solutions, and Lawn Care, Irrigation & Plant Health Solutions.
- Networking events — the Welcome Reception, Expo Happy Hour, Hot Topics Breakfast, Expo lunch and the ELEVATE Bash. With this year's event taking place in Tampa, Florida, the Welcome Reception will kick off on Sunday, Nov. 8, along the city's colorful Riverwalk, where attendees can enjoy waterfront views and a taste of Tampa-inspired culinary bites, sweet treats and hosted cocktails.
- Co-located PGMS Transform — added grounds-management education and cross-industry networking.
ELEVATE is powered by Title Partner Caterpillar (Cat), with support from NALP Elite Partners Aspire, Hustler/DeWalt and Stihl.
Attendance
According to NALP, ELEVATE draws roughly 2,440 attendees. The organizer also reports that 92% of top U.S. companies in the industry attend, that the event is rated 4.5 stars by attendees, and that 93% of attendees leave with concrete takeaways. The audience is made up of growth-minded landscape and lawn care companies from across the country, ranging from owner-led small businesses to multi-branch teams and national industry leaders.
Registration
Registration is completed online through the ELEVATE registration page on the NALP website. Registration is open now, and attendees could register by June 30 to receive the best available pricing.
Key notes:
- All NALP hotel room reservations require an ELEVATE 2026 registration; after registering, attendees receive a confirmation email with hotel booking details.
- The co-located PGMS Transform conference shares access to education, the Expo and networking.
- For questions, NALP's events team can be contacted through the ELEVATE website.
History
ELEVATE is the flagship annual conference and expo of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), the national trade association serving the lawn care and landscape industry. The event has become one of the industry's most highly regarded gatherings, with attendees describing it as among the best conferences they have experienced in decades in the business.
The conference rotates among major U.S. cities each fall. Following the 2026 edition in Tampa, NALP has announced future host cities: the 2026 event co-locates the PGMS Annual Conference (Transform) with Elevate in Tampa. Upcoming editions are scheduled for the Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim, CA) in November 2027, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (Pittsburgh, PA) in November 2028, and the Austin Convention Center (Austin, TX) in November 2029.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the NALP Elevate Expo 2026?
Elevate 2026 takes place November 8-11, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa, Florida. Education sessions and the Elevate Expo are held together under one roof at the waterfront venue.
Who should attend Elevate?
The conference is designed for landscape and lawn care owners, executives, managers and emerging leaders. Attendees range from owner-led small businesses to multi-branch teams and national industry leaders, and in 2026 grounds management professionals are included through the co-located PGMS Transform conference.
How do I register for Elevate 2026?
Registration is completed online through the ELEVATE registration page on the NALP website. The best pricing was available for those who registered by June 30, 2026, and an event registration is required before booking a hotel in the NALP room block.
What hotels are near the venue?
NALP has a block of four hotels, all within walking distance of the Tampa Convention Center: Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown (from $249), The Westin Tampa Waterside (from $259), Tampa Marriott Water Street (from $299), and JW Marriott Tampa Water Street (from $349). Group rates are available until October 16, 2026, or until rooms sell out.
How do I get to the Tampa Convention Center?
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 7.5 miles away and St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is about 17 miles away. A taxi from TPA runs roughly $25 one way, and the TECO Line Streetcar has a station across the street from the venue.
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