The ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture is heading to Los Angeles, California, from September 16–18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center! CADdetails will be there, and we'd love to see you on the show floor.
This year's theme, Action!, is all about practice, progress, and purpose—a fitting backdrop for a city defined by motion and reinvention. So, rather than a generic show checklist, this guide is organized around the conference's own idea of momentum:
We'll close with a roundup of can't-miss sights and activities to enjoy while you're in LA. Let's dive in!
Most manufacturers treat trade shows as something that starts when the doors open, but here’s the truth: the exhibitors who get the best ROI start weeks earlier.
Email your existing AEC contacts to let them know you'll be at ASLA 2026 and where to find you. A simple "see you in LA" note can turn a stranger walking the floor into a scheduled meeting.
Before you spend a dollar on booth design, make sure your CAD, BIM, 3D, and spec files are current and easy to find. A huge share of specifiers will look you up on their phone mid-conversation or after the show—if your Design Hub or product pages are outdated, that's a lost spec.
"Get more leads" isn't a goal. "Book 15 qualified follow-up calls" or "get 50 Design Hub downloads" is. A concrete target shapes everything from your booth staffing to your giveaway strategy.
With Action! as this year's throughline, expect conversations to lean into resilience, sustainability, and real-world project outcomes. Make sure your team can speak fluently to how your products perform in those contexts, not just what they're made of.
Landscape architects don't want a materials lecture—they want to see how your product performed in a park, streetscape, or campus like the one they're designing. Keep a handful of project photos or mini case studies ready to pull up on a tablet.
Need a hand? Build your own Project Showcase with Prodify→
Give attendees a reason to linger: a touchscreen where they can pull CAD/BIM files on the spot, a sample they can actually handle, or a quick demo of how your files drop into their workflow. Prodify's built-in Visualizer is one option if you want to let attendees interact with 3D product previews in real time.
Printed brochures get left on tables. Use a tablet sign-up form, and offer something in exchange for contact info: a CAD drawing, spec sheet, or 3D model tied to what you just discussed. Note the specifics of the conversation right away (project type, timeline, what they asked about), so your team isn't guessing later.
This year's show spans South Hall GHJK and Concourse Hall at the LA Convention Center. Check out the floor plan here, and take a few minutes to walk it once you arrive. A little exploration up front means your team won't burn time getting lost between meetings.
Three days on a concrete floor adds up. Rotate booth staff, stay hydrated, and take advantage of any wellness or quiet spaces ASLA has on-site. A five-minute reset makes your next conversation sharper.
Build buffer time into your meeting schedule. Avoid booking meetings back-to-back to give yourself a few minutes between each to gather your thoughts, jot down next steps, and reset before switching gears.
A QR code linking straight to your Design Hub lets prospects keep exploring your products after they've walked away from your booth. No need to remember a URL or dig through a bag of swag later.
51% of attendees expect a follow-up visit from a sales rep after the event, so your post-show outreach isn't optional; it's expected.
Here's what you should do:
Move fast: Reach out within a week, while the conversation is still fresh for them.
Reference specifics: Mention the project or product they asked about.
Lead with value, not a pitch: Send the resource they need (a spec sheet, your Design Hub link, a relevant case study) before asking for anything.
Give them an easy next step: A demo, a sample request, or a short call—make it a one-click yes.
Stay visible after the inbox: Connect on LinkedIn and engage naturally with what they post. Staying top of mind matters more than any single email.
Track it: Log every follow-up in your CRM so you can see what's converting and refine your approach for the next show.
Some specs are won on the show floor—but most are won in the weeks and months afterward.
Source: City of Santa Monica
Here are a few ways to make the most of your time in LA:
See landscape architecture in action: The Getty Center's gardens, Vista Hermosa Natural Park, and the ongoing LA River revitalization are all worth a visit for real-world inspiration.
Get outside: Griffith Park's trails offer sweeping views of the Hollywood sign and the city below.
Eat well: Grand Central Market and LA's famous taco trucks are only a short trip from the convention center.
Wind down downtown: Downtown LA's rooftop bars are a good spot to keep networking in a lower-key setting.
Catch the coast: Santa Monica and Venice Beach make for an easy sunset outing after a long conference day.
For more than 25 years, CADdetails has helped manufacturers connect with the AEC community with one goal: getting your products specified in more projects. We'll be on the show floor, so make sure to come and find us at Booth #825 and grab some swag. Plus, you can sign up for our CADdetails or Prodify newsletters for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
Can't wait until September? Book a demo to get started now.
Already on CADdetails? Meet with your Client Success Manager ahead of ASLA 2026 to make sure your files are ready for the show.
See you in LA!
Cover image by Venti Views on Unsplash