Charlie Hall to deliver keynote at 2026 Farwest Show

Charlie Hall, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker for the 2026 Farwest Show.

The title of his presentation will be “Overcoming Decision Paralysis in the Midst of Uncertainty.”

“We’re so excited to welcome Dr. Hall back to Portland,” said Jamie Moore, events and education coordinator for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces the show. “Attendees will hear essential information to guide their businesses in these turbulent times. Hall is known for his ability to explain what’s happening with the economy, translating complex concepts into actionable strategies. People will leave feeling inspired and equipped to face the challenges ahead.”

Farwest will be held Aug. 26 to 28, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Hall’s keynote will take place at 11 a.m. Aug. 26 in a presentation open to all show attendees. Jeff Stone, OAN executive director, will also give an industry and association update.

Hall grew up on a nursery in North Carolina and today is an industry expert in management and marketing strategies, financial analysis and the economic outlook for nursery and greenhouse crops. He serves as a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, where he holds the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture.

Three all-day tours of local nurseries precede the show, starting at 8 a.m. Aug. 25. The tours highlight wholesale nurseries, nursery propagation and nursery automation.

The trade show floor will be open Aug. 26 to 28. The expo hours are 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Educational seminars will take place all three days of the show, both inside and outside expo hours.

Farwest also offers social and networking events, including the Farwest Happy Hour, Farwest Pub Crawl, NexGen Networking Event and Women in Horticulture Networking Event.

Other show features include the New Varieties Showcase, New Products Showcase, Career Boulevard, Solution Center and Automation Summit.

Oregon growers conducted $1.3 billion worth of plant sales in 2024, according to the recently released USDA Census of Horticulture.

For questions about seminars, contact Jamie Moore at JMoore@OAN.org or 503-582-2010.  For other questions, contact Connie Lindsay at CLindsay@OAN.org or 503-582-2005.