Conference
Stronger Together: Greenlife Industry National Conference
The first national conference since the pandemic – and what a return it was.
In May 2025, more than 250 people from across Australia (and beyond) gathered at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre for the first Greenlife Industry National Conference in five years. With a packed program, inspiring speakers, nursery tours and lively networking events, the conference brought the entire sector together – from production nurseries and retailers to researchers, educators and allied trades.
From tech and marketing to workforce and big-picture strategy, the program delivered. The tours sold out. The dinner sparkled. And for the first time in a long time, the sector felt united – and excited about what’s next.
Brought to you by GIA This was more than just an event. It was a moment. A national conference that:
- featured 39 speakers across 29 sessions
- pulled 250+ people from across Australia and overseas
- included two sold-out tours north and south of Brisbane
- celebrated two new Life Members
- showcased16 exhibitors, including state association Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland
- featured a sold-out Greenlife Gourmet Grill gala dinner and social events
- gave the industry a real, face-to-face chance to share ideas, forge connections and talk about the future.
None of it would have happened without GIA – your national peak body, working hard behind the scenes (and on the stage) to bring the sector together.
See the story in pictures
We’ve pulled together a gallery of moments from the conference – from standing ovations to greenhouse deep dives (hit the arrows to scroll through the photos).
Highlights
Sessions and speakers
The 2025 program offered a powerful mix of insight, inspiration and action – from future trends and AI tools to practical business advice and honest conversations about retail relationships. Among the standout sessions:
- Bunnings: Building a shared vision for greenlife
In a rare and refreshingly candid conversation, Joanna Cave and Adam Cole (Bunnings Head of Home & Lifestyle) discussed the development of a new Statement of Principles – a joint initiative to improve certainty, transparency and long-term sustainability in supplier relationships. While still in development, the framework was described as “90% there,” with industry-wide consultation to follow. The session set the tone for a new era of trust and collaboration. - AI – What it means for greenlife Julian Moore delivered a practical, energised talk exploring how AI is already reshaping business operations, forecasting and communication across the industry.
- Greener Spaces Better Places – Understanding the nursery category to drive demand Belinda Bean (South Pole), Elyse Allum and Holly Jackson (Hort Innovation) unpacked new consumer insights and strategies to drive plant purchasing.
- Profiting from Best Practice – Real growers, real talk A practical panel featuring accredited growers who shared lessons and tips on plant quality, business resilience and sustainability.
- Marketing YOU – How to cultivate simpler marketing so you can reap the rewards Marketing strategist Tanya Williams broke down how to make meaningful impact without relying on social media hype.
- A Greener Future – Where the heck are we and where are we headed? Simon Kuestenmacher from The Demographics Group brought humour and insight to his fast-paced look at demographic trends and what they mean for horticulture.
- Greener Spaces Better Places – Understanding the nursery category to drive demand Belinda Bean (South Pole), Elyse Allum and Holly Jackson (Hort Innovation) unpacked new consumer insights and strategies to drive plant purchasing.
- Profiting from Best Practice – Real growers, real talk A practical panel featuring accredited growers who shared lessons and tips on plant quality, business resilience and sustainability.
- Marketing YOU – How to cultivate simpler marketing so you can reap the rewards Marketing strategist Tanya Williams broke down how to make meaningful impact without relying on social media hype.
Industry tours
The two sold-out tour streams took in a mix of production sites, tech innovators and research leaders, including:
Thanks for being part of it
To our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, delegates and tour hosts – thank you. You helped make this something special.
And to the growers, suppliers and industry partners who showed up with curiosity, insight and good humour – this was for you.
