Cultivate is the event we look forward to most in our industry, so we look forward to seeing you July 12-15th at Cultivate’25 in Columbus, Ohio— the Green Industry event offering countless opportunities to grow your business and advance your career. We will be there with SIX in-person educational sessions on extremely timely industry topics such as talent acquisition, management, succession, exit planning, and more that you will not want to miss. Get educated and up-to-speed in these sessions.
SATURDAY, JULY 12th
Managing & Motivating the Multi-Generational Green Industry (Multi-Generational Panel) – 9:00 AM ET • Panel Discussion – Moderator: Paige Franks
For the first time in history, five generations collide in the workforce: The Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Generation Z is quickly infiltrating the industry, and Millennials are stepping up to take over the preceding leadership positions, bringing new ideas surrounding technology, management and communication styles, company culture, and personal and professional values and expectations. In this panel, professionals across the four prominent generations in the workforce share their experiences, providing perspective and insight into what once was versus today’s reality.
Join Paige Franks and a great panel of horticultural industry leaders to learn what the current understanding of the industry is from each generation’s perspective. How leaders manage and accommodate today’s workplace standards on company culture, communication, and work-life balance. Advice and insight on best practices when working alongside various generations.
How generations view what is important in company benefit programs.
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Game-Changing Trends in Recruiting Talent (PANEL) –
Saturday, July 12 • 1:00 PM ET • Panel Discussion – Moderator: Harrison Downing
What are the trends in 2025 in how we connect with potential talent to gain their interest? The latest recruiting and interviewing trends differ vastly from those in past years. But why the notable change? Along with the uncertain times we live in, we are experiencing generational workforce changes that bring with them new values, attitudes, behaviors, and expectations of employees. Change, especially with technology, is constant and faster than ever.
The panel will share insights on the top trends shaping how companies in our industry recruit and assess candidates during the interview process. Attendees will learn how to optimize marketing strategies to reach candidates, how to balance virtual vs in-office approaches, how to assess candidate fit for behaviors and culture, and even what your company branding means in hiring.
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Trends Changing Why Employees Stay with You!
Saturday, July 12 • 2:30 PM ET • Moderator: Todd Downing
Today’s workforce consists of five generations for the first time ever. Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. These generations were raised in different social, technological, and political atmospheres. Each generation corresponds to different childhood upbringings and family environments, which create different values, behaviors, and needs as employees. How do we engage our teams to be fulfilled in their job and remain passionate about your company?
The panel will share insights on the 2025 trends shaping how they keep their teams of all generations motivated, engaged, and with them! Learn why retention starts at the top, what onboarding programs are successful with retention, how Training & Development programs are changing to meet the varying learning styles of employees, and how adjustments to Benefits, such as PTO, align with what employees want in 2025.
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SUNDAY, JULY 13th
Growing Forward: Release and Review of the 2nd Annual State of Succession and Exit Planning in the Horticulture Industry Report – 4:00 PM ET • Speakers: Chris Cimaglio & Ken Lane
How prepared are you—and your peers—for succession or exit? What does life after business ownership look like? And in today’s market, how may economic and industry challenges influence long-term business strategies? Until now, getting answers to these questions has been a challenge.
In this interactive session, bridge the knowledge gap with key insights from the PivotPoint Business Solutions 2nd Annual State of Succession and Exit Planning in the Horticulture Industry Report that was sponsored by Greenhouse Grower magazine.
Key Takeaways:
- Assess your readiness in real-time by benchmarking against your peers across eight key business drivers.
- Discover how critical industry-wide issues—including the impact of immigration, tariffs, climate change, insurance costs, and access to capital—may affect operational decisions.
- Gain expert guidance on best practices to ensure a smooth transition and avoid common regrets.
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MONDAY, JULY 14th
2025 Trends in Compensation and Benefits to Attract, Retain, and Motivate Top Talent
Monday, July 14 • 10:45 AM ET • Panel Discussion – Moderator: Michael Maggiotto
Over the past few years, compensation has accelerated faster than historical norms. Even as the rate of compensation increases begins to pull back, many are unaware of the intricacies of compensation and benefit design. Is it just about paying a salary we once paid five or 10 years ago, or offering the same benefits every year? Well, not if we want to attract, retain, and motivate top talent, it isn’t.
Attendees will learn 2025 trends affecting compensation design to attract talent and keep up with the cost of living. Gain knowledge in identifying what benefit trends are working well in attracting and, importantly, keeping talent as generations of workers shift. Understand strategies to keep a company competitive without breaking the bank! Be ready to share, as we will be looking for the audience to provide their best practices–after all, you are the ones who drive the trends.
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TUESDAY, JULY 15th
Succession & Exit Planning: What’s Your Endgame for a Regret-Free Business Exit (Extended Session & Workshop)
Tuesday, July 16 • 9:00 AM ET • Speakers & Moderators: Chris Cimaglio, Ken Lane, Larry Turow, and an Expert and Peer Panel
“Begin with the end in mind.” What’s your endgame? Every business owner will eventually exit— will you do it by choice or chance? This hands-on extended session will equip owners with the tools to plan and execute a successful transition. Through interactive exercises and expert insights, you’ll gain clarity on your ideal transition path and the steps needed to maximize business value.
What You’ll Do and Learn:
- Are You Ready to Exit? Personal, business, and financial readiness assessments
- What’s Your Business Worth? Valuation methods and effective business continuity planning
- What’s Your Best Move? Your exit options (including succession, ESOP, or third-party sale)
- What’s Next? Best practices and strategies to preserve your legacy
This presentation isn’t just about concepts—it’s a working session designed to bring you closer to a successful exit, featuring a special panel of valuation, M&A, ESOP, and family succession experts, so be ready to strategize and engage!
You can also enter our drawing to win a Free iPad!
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A “plus” reason to attend— Connect with The BEST Team in person at Cultivate’25! Their focus will be to make themselves available to meet with leaders wanting to discuss their company’s executive hiring, succession planning, restructuring, and turnaround needs. With decades of experience in corporate management, sales, marketing, human resources, exit planning, and business advisory, BEST specializes in talent acquisition and management consulting for the horticulture industry.
If you represent a company that needs executive hiring, restructuring professionals, or succession planning, please make an appointment to meet with us anytime throughout the show.
Contact us today, and may you have a great Cultivate’25!
View or Download Our Best Overview to learn more about the BEST Human Capital & Advisory Group and why there is a better way!
We look forward to seeing you in Columbus at Cultivate’25!
