Who, When, Where
ATTENDEES
You’ll meet 125+ design, horticulture, landscape and restoration professionals from throughout Florida, including the best in the native plant business: growers, retailers, environmental and ecological landscape experts. FANN events attract trend-conscious design professionals, forward-thinking municipal staff and retailers and project managers serious about sourcing the best native plants for their clients. From previous event data, we know that at least one in five attendees will be a landscape architect or designer.
PHOTO: Isabella Browne
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
Wednesday & Thursday, November 4-5, 2026 — classes in the morning and afternoon.
Offsite activities Wednesday morning.
Lunch onsite with your colleagues both days.
Wednesday evening social, Nov 4 – location TBA.
Deadlines for registration & lodging HERE.
PHOTO: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS
VENUE & LOCATION
This year’s seminar is being developed in partnership with the University of Florida IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries & Geomatic Sciences, home to programs in forestry, natural resources and conservation, and the UF Native Plant Nursery. The seminar takes place at the UF IFAS Straughn Professional Development Center, a campus go-to for professional development, trainings and meetings. Landscaping around the Straughn Center was designed by Dr. Gail Hansen as a Florida Friendly Landscaping™ demonstration garden and teaching tool. It includes a rain garden and 1320-gallon stormwater harvesting cistern.
PHOTO: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS
WHERE TO STAY
ALOFT by MARRIOTT
Close to downtown, near FL Museum of Natural History
Urban style, modern amenities, lively W XYX bar, “hip & pet-friendly”
FANN Seminar group rate $129+ tax
DRURY INN
Close to I-75 exit
Free breakfast, snacks and 5:30pm “cocktail,” also pet-friendly
FANN Seminar group rate $116+ tax
Southern Live Oak Tree Canopy in Gainesville, Photo by Tristan Loper, CC x SA-2.0
VISIT GAINESVILLE
Consider extending your trip … Gainesville, Florida, home to Florida’s flagship land grant institution, the University of Florida, is a vibrant inland city blending stunning natural landscapes, unique wildlife preserves and college-town energy. There are eight state parks and historic sites in the region, nearly two dozen county nature preserves plus additional park facilities, and the city itself manages 80 parks. One of the largest collections of butterfly and moth specimens in the world is housed at the University of Florida McGuire Center, and there’s a Bat House on campus that is part of the Florida Bat Conservancy. Gainesville residents are famous for their love of big trees, and a little over 50% of the city is covered by a robust tree canopy.
PHOTO: Tristan Loper, CC x SA-2.0