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THE FALL EVENT 2026 BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The Fall Event is all about sharing, learning, and growing. And this year's event is packed full of incredible networking and learning opportunities.

Our speakers and facilitators are leaders in the industry – thought leaders who embody The Group's spirit of ingenuity and entrepreneurial drive. These powerful sessions with inspired thinkers can shape your future in the ever-evolving world of garden retailing. Be ready to dive in, share, and learn – and Get Connected in Cleveland!

Although The Fall Event Program officially begins at 1:00 pm on Monday, September 28, 2026, you have the opportunity to participate in optional sessions on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. See The Fall Event 2026 Schedule for a complete list of activities and rooms.
 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

 

Follow your interests,
contribute your ideas,
and benefit from the
collective knowledge
and experience of
The Garden Center Group
community. 

 

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Connections in Real Time:  Real Issues, Real Solutions
Facilitated by Thought Leaders

Sharing and collaboration are at the heart of The Group—and The Fall Event is the ideal place to engage with experts, fellow garden retailers, and industry partners. These breakout sessions are designed to spark authentic conversations, tackle real-world challenges, and uncover practical solutions you won’t find anywhere else.

You set the agenda, the topics, and the focus—in real time.

During this interactive two-hour experience, you’ll have the freedom to choose the conversations that matter most to you. Follow your interests, contribute your ideas, and benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of The Garden Center Group community.

Come ready to participate—observe, question, analyze, collaborate, and GET CONNECTED in CLEVELAND! These sessions are built for engagement, not passive listening, giving you the opportunity to turn shared experiences into actionable insights and meaningful relationships.

With multiple breakouts happening, planning ahead is key. Think ahead about the challenges you want to solve, the ideas you want to explore, and the conversations that can help move your business forward.

You’ll leave more connected, more informed, and better equipped to grow.

See topics, locations, and facilitators below.

 
Topic          Room         Facilitator     
Financial Tracking 4th Floor, Severance Room Tim Quebedeaux & 
Employee Engagement 3rd Floor, Grand Ballroom A     
Labor Attraction & Retention          3rd Floor, Grand Ballroom B Jean Martin & 
Leveraging Technology 3rd Floor, Forest City Ballroom         John Kennedy & Souny Kennedy
Systems & Efficiencies 3rd Floor, Van Aken Room  

The Fall Event 2026 QuickLinks:  

The Fall Event 2026 - REGISTER
The Fall Event 2026 - MAIN PAGE
The Fall Event 2026 - SCHEDULE
The Fall Event 2026 - KEYNOTE
The Fall Event 2026 - SPEAKERS & SESSIONS
The Fall Event 2026 - TOUR

The Fall Event 2026 - HOTEL & TRAVEL
The Fall Event 2026 - BEST OF CLEVELAND
The Fall Event 2026 - SPONSORS