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2026 FALL EVENT SESSIONS, SPEAKERS, AND FACILITATORS

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.

 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27


Robert Hayter, LKC Engineering

 

 

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Special Owners Only Session – Special Registration Required
Fiscal and Monetary Policies Affecting Your Business and Personal Wealth
Hosted by Robert Hayter

Key Question: Is your business prepared for long-term inflation and an economic downturn?

Come learn to navigate the new normal in an era of Uncertainty, High-Debt, and Inflation.

Beyond the headlines is the real story you need to hear. After hundreds of hours of research, Robert has crafted a framework for defensive management- thinking for you as a business owner. He has presented this four-hour workshop to more than 15 companies. Each of them is now aware of things to consider in (1) Protecting the Purchasing Power of Money, (2) Steps to be more prepared for an Economic Downturn.

Comments from a few workshop attendees:

“This message is highly relevant to Berns. Since the purchase of the business in 2022 we have been carefully managing the direction of our balance sheet. What macro-economic events around the market and monetary policy cycles will affect our company and its financial health is of interest to me. Robert’s message was a place to begin my learning and understanding.”
Keith Berns, Berns Garden Center and Landscaping

“I do, very much, think the topic of discussion is relevant and valuable to all business owners. It is a
“weighty” subject matter; not for the disinterested person or one who doesn’t care for intellectually stimulating/challenging conversation. All that being said, I greatly admire Robert and his way of thinking.
His critical thinking skills, coupled with genuine care for people, challenge me to be a better businessperson.”

Caleb Lukas, Lukas Nursery & Garden Shop

“I loved every minute of the session. Robert has condensed many economic trends and theories into a well-succinct, laid-out presentation. It is not a doom and gloom message, but rather an attempt to articulate debt cycles, the benefits and risks of your business’s position, and our current standing. It is suited for those who are eager to understand the microenvironment in which we operate to position themselves most favorably for long-term strategic purposes.”
Brandon Kirby, Rainbow Gardens

“I’ve been reflecting on your presentation to TNSG Shareholders regarding the value of money, and I want to thank you for sharing your research findings and forecasting possibilities. While many of us small business owners are entrenched working within our companies on a daily basis, we do not look at macro-level economics and planning for the possible impacts those trends may cause us both professionally and personally. I am confident your sharing of this information will land our companies and personal financial positions in a much more positive situation than if we were not provided with the opportunity to hear your presentation. Again, thank you.”
Billy Gray, Co-Owner with Robert Hayter in six companies.

"The workshop we attended with Robert was eye-opening.  My business partner and I have differing opinions in the world of finance and economics. What was best was that we two were able to find common ground and see each other's opinions through learning what we did with Robert that day.  This has us rethinking our entire process of how we are going to be managing our business finances, along with my personal finances, moving forward."
Jason Duffney, Earth Works Garden Center

Join Robert as he shares what has been described as a “Master Class in Macroeconomics” and how to best position your business.

CLICK HERE for an additional background paper from Robert.

Investment: $599 per company, limited to 2 owners per company.

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS SPECIAL OWNERS-ONLY SESSION (Registration opening soon)


Robert Hayter's career path has progressed on parallel rails – contributing to the resilience and visual quality of built environments, and business strategy. Over his 48 years as a teacher, business owner, practitioner, and consultant in the built environment and small business sectors, Robert Hayter has dedicated his career to three tenets: lifelong learning, framing a dialogue for strategic thinking, and building consensus focused on desirable outcomes. His critical thinking and analytical skills are well-balanced, with a natural ability to foster discourse across many disciplines. The result has contributed to awareness of the unity of place-making, resource optimization, and organizational effectiveness.

Robert believes that both environmental and organizational sustainability strike a balance in resource allocation, in which social, environmental, and economic values are equivalent. As an agent for change, Robert seeks to explain the long-term values associated with each. He believes this type of thinking defines the future of resilient businesses and environments.

READ ROBERT'S FULL BIO HERE.

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 - SPEAKERS & SESSIONS
The Fall Event 2026 - BREAKOUT SESSIONS
The Fall Event 2026 - TOUR  

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