Convention: Join Friends and Colleagues in Carlsbad
CLCA 2026 Annual Convention
Connect! Learn! Grow! (And cornhole!)
Join friends and colleagues in beautiful Carlsbad November 4-6 for CLCA’s 2026 Annual Convention. Come grow with us!
Carlsbad doesn’t feel like a typical tourist town. It’s more of a laid-back coastal community, with beaches, nature preserves, great restaurants and a walkable downtown. Other Carlsbad highlights: A hidden historic ranch, two beautiful coastal lagoons, an extinct volcano and the infamous Black Hill, a mecca of skateboarding.
Connect!
Plan on joining us at the Recognition Luncheon as we honor our green industry leaders. At the General Membership Meeting, help grow the future of your professional association. Take advantage of formal and casual opportunities to share ideas and war stories with friends and future friends.
“I enjoy forging new relationships with people. The convention is always a fun time!”
— Ana Cooper, Frank & Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc.
Learn!
CLCA’s 2026 Annual Convention offers a full day of high quality education — information you can immediately put to use to help your company grow.
We open with the popular Breakfast of Champions, roundtable discussions on pressing topics such as:
- Buying an Electric Truck?
- Using AI for Faster Takeoffs
- Creating Your Self-Serve Customer Website Portal
- Your Favorite Smart Phone Apps
- Surviving CHP Truck Safety Inspections
- Routing Crews/Travel Logistics
They’re short, concise and practical!
The education continues with our feature presentation, Build Your Ultimate AI Toolkit. To find technology to make your life easier, you could hunt for hours, demo for days or Google for greatness. Or you could just ask Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z.
Beth Z sorts through the digital clutter to discover tech tips, tools and tricks to solve life’s everyday problems. Then she shares her best tips in easy-to-understand short bites with humor and pizzazz.
Attendees will take a hands-on look at some of the best tools in each category and leave with a clear idea of how to build their own AI-powered productivity stack.
The day concludes with an exploration of the Future of Water and a tour of Pure Water Oceanside. This facility represents a statewide trend toward water reuse, local water resilience and long-term drought adaptation. Those trends will influence landscape regulations, irrigation practices, client expectations and business opportunities across California for decades.
“I love the Breakfast of Champions. I learn so much!”
– Frank Niccoli, Past CLCA State President
Grow!
The Trophy Awards dinner and ceremony will amaze you with a display of excellence in California landscaping.
“The Trophy Awards is a celebration of the highest quality craftsmanship. All projects are built by contractors, and physically judged by industry professionals. There is no other program in our industry quite like it.”
– Alex Salazar, Groundcare Landscape Company
Cornhole!
Cornhole returns to the CLCA Annual Convention! Plan now to demonstrate your mastery of the bags at the 2026 AM/LEAF Cornhole Tournament. A smash hit at CLCA’s 2025 Annual Convention in Sonoma County, cornhole is engaging and entertaining for players of all skill levels!
“It’s nice to get to know clients and coworkers on a different level. Convention is a great place for casual, professional face-to-face interaction with industry colleagues.”
— Jeff Calhoun, FX Luminaire
Schedule
Subject to change
Wednesday, Nov. 4 |
||
2 – 5 p.m. |
Registration OpenSpecial thanks to
|
|
5 – 7 p.m. |
Welcome ReceptionClick Connect Sponsor
|
|
5:30 – 7 p.m. |
Associate Member/LEAF Cornhole TournamentSpecial thanks to
|
|
Thursday, Nov. 5 |
||
7 a.m. – Noon |
Registration Open |
|
7:30 – 8 a.m. |
BreakfastEnjoy breakfast and LEGO Mini-Figures and mingle with Associate Member Showcase participants.Special thanks to LEGO Mini-Figure Sponsors
|
|
8 – 8:55 a.m. |
Breakfast of ChampionsRoundtable discussions:
|
|
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Associate Member Showcase |
|
9 a.m. – noon |
Build Your Ultimate AI Tool KitBeth Z, Your Nerdy Best Friend |
|
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. |
Coffee Break Networking OpportunityMingle with Associate Member Showcase participants while enjoying your coffee or calling the office. |
|
Noon – 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch on your ownGrab lunch on your own and mingle with Associate Member Showcase participants. |
|
1:30 – 4 p.m. |
The Future of Water & Pure Water Oceanside TourDebby Dunn, Senior Water Resource Specialist, San Diego County Water Authority (retired) |
|
5 p.m. |
Five@Five DinnerNo-host dinner for you and five others to cultivate connections. Sign up on site at CLCA registration desk. |
|
Friday, Nov. 6 |
||
7 a.m. – Noon |
Registration Open |
|
7:30 – 8:45 a.m. |
Associate Members MeetingInvitation only |
|
9 – 11 a.m. |
General Membership MeetingAll members welcome |
|
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
Recognition LuncheonSpecial thanks to table sponsors
|
|
5 – 6 p.m. |
Registration Open |
|
6 – 7 p.m. |
Trophy Awards ReceptionSpecial thanks to
|
|
7 – 10 p.m. |
Trophy Awards Dinner and CeremonyJoin us for a celebration of excellence in landscaping. |
|
Saturday, Nov. 7 |
||
All day |
Travel safely home |
Schedule subject to change.
General Membership Meeting
9-11 a.m., November 6, 2026
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Carlsbad, California
All members are invited to attend the 2026 General Membership Meeting.
President Alex Salazar, CWM will update attendees on the state of the association, and then open the floor to questions and input from members of the audience. Voting will follow.
Who May Attend?
All CLCA members are invited to attend the General Membership Meeting. One representative from each Regular and Associate member company may vote, as can each Retired Life Member.
If you would like to attend the General Membership Meeting but are unable to attend the convention, please contact Micheyl Barnett at CLCA HQ, (916) 830-2780.
Candidates
The slate of candidates and any proposed changes to the association’s bylaws will be announced on September 21, 2026.
Learn!
This year’s convention educational offerings focus on practical information you can immediately put to use to benefit your business.
Breakfast of Champions: Roundtable Discussions
8 – 8:55 a.m., Thursday, November 5
The Breakfast of Champions features roundtable discussions that are short, concise and practical. Our table leaders are experienced contractors and green industry professionals who have “been there, grew that,” so that discussions will be full of valuable information you can immediately put to use. During this fast-paced event, you can table hop to broaden your scope or focus on one specific challenge for your company. Topics include:
- Buying an Electric Truck?
- Creating Your Self-Serve Customer Website Portal
- Routing Crews/Travel Logistics
- Surviving CHP Truck Safety Inspections
- Using AI for Faster Takeoffs
- Your Favorite Smart Phone Apps
Building Your Ultimate AI Toolkit
Beth Z, Your Nerdy Best Friend
9 a.m. – noon, Thursday, November 5
AI is everywhere, and every day a new tool claims to be the sweetest solution for your business. But who has time to sift through all the options? CLCA and Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z, have done the homework for you.
In her interactive presentation at CLCA’s 2026 Annual Convention, Beth will break AI down into essential categories — writing help, data wrangling, notetaking magic and more — all with a focus on tools that can help green industry professionals.
Attendees will take a hands-on look at some of the best tools in each category and leave with a clear idea of how to build their own AI-powered productivity stack.
Takeaways include:
- Discover must-know AI categories (because one chatbot won’t solve everything)
- Explore real tools that can help with writing, research, automation and more
- Learn how to use AI to improve marketing, data analysis and customer engagement
- Walk away with a practical, no-fuss AI toolkit to boost productivity instantly
- Ideas from your peers on best practices and use cases
- Insight into how to create content in a flash
- A framework for your organization’s AI policy (and why you need one)
Beth Z was the star of CLCA’s 2017 convention in Carmel Valley and promises an even more relevant and engaging presentation in 2026.
“Wow! She’s good. Really good. Really, really good. Really, really, really good.”
— Tim Hendricks, Gibson Development, Inc.
Guided Tour: The Future of Water
Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resource Specialist, San Diego County Water Authority (retired) and Elisa Marrone, Water Efficiency Program Manager, City of Oceanside
1 – 4 p.m., Thursday November 5
Join us for an exploration of the Future of Water and a tour of Pure Water Oceanside. This facility represents a statewide trend toward water reuse, local water resilience and long-term drought adaptation. Those trends will influence landscape regulations, irrigation practices, client expectations and business opportunities across California for decades.
Special thanks to our tour sponsor
Hotel & Travel
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Carlsbad, California
Hotel website
CLCA group room rate: Standards rooms are $235/night
Suites are $315/night
Resort fees and self-parking fees waived.
For reservation assistance, please call (833) 489-4455 and reference the 2026 CLCA Annual Convention. Or, click here to reserve your room online.
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa is designed for relaxation and features an outdoor pool and hot tubs, a full-service spa and a modern fitness center. It offers on-site restaurants, upscale dining and multiple bars, many of which stay open later then 8 p.m. Added bonus: Easy access to beaches and Carlsbad attractions.
Air Travel
Closest: The McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is allegedly a 7-minute drive from The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. It’s a small, regional airport with limited commercial service; United Airlines does fly from here to San Francisco International (SFO).
Most Options: San Diego International Airport (SAN), allegedly a 45-minute drive to The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. It’s the largest airport in the region, with extensive flight options.
Most Options (runner-up): The John Wayne Airport (SNA), allegedly a 60-minute drive to The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. Many domestic flights.
Driving
This being California, everything is within driving distance. The convention’s host hotel is a mere 98 miles to the iconic Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles.
Cornhole! Cornhole! Cornhole! Cornhole!
Despite a convention schedule packed full of education, entertainment and networking, there’s always time for golf!
If you’re looking for an opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air, there are eight golf courses in Santa Rosa, including four public and one municipal course. There are 21 courses residents consider to be “near” Santa Rosa. Here’s the complete list.
Need help filling out your foursome? Stop by the CLCA registration desk and review our list of players!
“Golf or cornhole: Which is better for networking and connecting with friends old and new? The only way to answer that question is to try both!”
– Jeff Calhoun, FX Luminaire
Toss with friends & colleagues at the Associate Member/LEAF Cornhole Tournament
Why does the Associate Member/LEAF 2025 fundraiser feature cornhole this year?
ChatGPT says: In the spirit of constant innovation driving advancement, the ongoing process of creating new ideas, products and processes is crucial for progress on both a micro (business) and macro (societal) level. This continuous evolution ensures relevance, fuels growth and improves efficiency in an ever-changing world.
CLCA Associate Member Director Jeff Calhoun says: Hold onto your bean bags! Get ready for our 2025 Cornhole Tournament, hosted by CLCA’s Associate Members and LEAF!
Associate Member / LEAF Cornhole Tournament
During the CLCA Welcome Reception
5 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 5
This exciting event brings together CLCA members for an evening of lighthearted competition, great company and unforgettable memories. Proceeds benefit LEAF scholarships. Cornhole is a low-impact game that can be played by people of all ages, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Register today for your chance to take home the championship trophy or to cheer on your favorite team.
Let the games begin!
P.S. Not getting ChatGPT to offer the solutions you’re seeking? Plan on attending Thursday’s Breakfast of Champions and learn how to get AI to give you what you asked for!
Special thanks to our Associate Member/LEAF Cornhole Tournament Sponsors
Get out your phones for Click Connect!
Click Connect: You + Current and Future Friends = Selfie!
What’s more fun than a selfie? A selfie with friends at CLCA’s Annual Convention!
Your Challenge
Look on the back of your name badge for your group selfie partners. Your partners may be current friends, or people who will become friends once you introduce yourself!
Connect with your selfie partners and snap a group photo. Ham it up and show that you’re having a most excellent time at CLCA’s Annual Convention. Smile for the camera — go wild!
Email the group selfie to [email protected] by 10 a.m. on Friday, November 7. We’ll share the entries at the Recognition Luncheon (and may use a few in future promotions for CLCA events).
Special thanks to CLCA Insurance Solutions and STIHL for supporting Click Connect!
and
Fine Print
Questions
Please contact CLCA Events Manager Micheyl Barnett at (916) 830-2780.
Payment
Full payment must be received with your registration and is required for admittance to the convention.
Badges
Badges are required for all convention activities. No sharing of badges is allowed.
A la carte
Individual tickets are available for the following convention functions:
- Welcome Reception
- AM / LEAF Cornhole Tournament
- General Membership Meeting
- Recognition Luncheon
- Trophy Awards Dinner and Ceremony
All other convention activities require the purchase of a full convention registration. Your convention registration may not be shared with others.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be received by October 16, 2025 to qualify for a refund. A $50 fee will be deducted. All cancellations should be made in writing to:
Micheyl Barnett, Events Manager
California Landscape Contractors Association
1545 River Park Drive, Suite 525
Sacramento, CA 95815
Consent to be Photographed
In an effort to show how much fun green industry professionals have at CLCA events, we are planning on sharing images taken in public places at the 2025 Annual Convention on social media. Images may also be shared with CLCA chapters and used to market future CLCA events.
By registering for the convention, you consent to these terms of use.
Anti-Trust Guidelines
Violations of federal anti-trust laws are considered a felony. Individual and corporate violations may be punished by fines and by jail sentences.
Trade associations such as CLCA, which by their very nature involve interaction among competitors and/or suppliers and customers, are subject to close scrutiny for anti-trust violations. Therefore, members, leadership and staff must be careful to keep their activities within the prescribed bounds, both in appearance and in actual fact.
The following checklist has been prepared to provide guidance for members, leadership and staff in their conduct at meetings or in connection with other activities. READ>
