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The Professional Grounds Management Society has outlined speakers, topics and award events for its 2026 annual conference, scheduled for Nov. 8–11 at the Tampa Convention Center. The program includes a forum on artificial intelligence in grounds management and a keynote-style appearance by Manchester City grounds director John Ledwidge; the event will be co-located with the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Elevate conference.
The Professional Grounds Management Society has announced speakers and program topics for its 2026 annual conference, scheduled for Nov. 8–11 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. The agenda puts artificial intelligence in grounds management on the program and features John Ledwidge, who directs grounds and landscapes for Manchester City and City Football Group.
The conference, titled PGMS 2026 Annual Conference: Transform, will take place in partnership with the National Association of Landscape Professionals and alongside Elevate. PGMS says the gathering is intended for grounds managers, landscape professionals, suppliers and industry partners, combining education with networking and professional connections.
One scheduled session is the PGMS Grow Forum, which will examine “AI in Grounds Management: Exploring Innovation, Challenges, and Opportunities.” The program description says attendees will be able to consider how new tools could affect the way grounds teams plan and operate. It does not identify specific AI products or describe particular operational changes that the forum will recommend.
Ledwidge is slated to share lessons from a career that began with volunteering as a groundskeeper at age 13 and led to his current role with Manchester City and City Football Group. PGMS says his presentation will address leadership, staff development, innovation and building a culture of excellence. The source report does not provide a session title or further details about the format.
AI and Leadership on the Agenda
The announced subjects speak to two practical issues for grounds-management organizations: how to respond to emerging technology and how to lead and develop teams. AI may affect planning and operational decisions, but PGMS’s description frames the subject as a discussion of possible opportunities and challenges—not as a settled account of how the technology is being used across the profession.
Ledwidge’s experience in grounds operations for a prominent football organization offers attendees a professional case study in staff development and leadership, according to PGMS. The conference’s partnership with NALP and co-location with Elevate also brings the PGMS program together with a wider landscape-industry event, although the announcement does not specify how many attendees or organizations are expected.
The event also includes recognition of professional achievement. PGMS plans to recognize new Certified Grounds Managers and graduates of its LEAD program, present Green Star Awards for outstanding grounds and the professionals who maintain them, and give Professional Awards. Such recognition can highlight work across the field, while the conference also marks a governance change with a new president and board members set to be welcomed.
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A Joint Tampa Industry Conference
PGMS is a professional society focused on grounds management. Its 2026 event is described as an annual conference and will be held with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, whose Elevate event is co-located at the Tampa Convention Center. The announcement presents the joint setting as a way for attendees to access education, resources and peers from across the industry.
The program details released so far cover a limited set of items: the Grow Forum’s AI topic, Ledwidge’s appearance, awards and professional recognition, and the arrival of new society leadership. PGMS President Michael Gildea said the meeting is intended to support the exchange of ideas and relationships among people working in an interdisciplinary profession.
““Convening in person is where our interdisciplinary profession moves forward.””
— Michael Gildea, CGM, PGMS president
Program Details Still Pending
The announcement does not provide a full conference schedule, session times, registration information, ticket prices or a list of additional speakers. It also does not say which incoming president and board members will be welcomed, identify all award recipients, or give more detail on the new Certified Grounds Managers and LEAD graduates.
The AI forum’s speakers, format and specific subjects have not been listed in the source report. PGMS describes the session as an opportunity to explore innovation, challenges and opportunities, but no findings, recommendations or claims about measurable effects are provided. Details on attendance, the expected impact of the event and any post-conference outcomes are also unavailable.
More Conference Information Expected
The conference is scheduled for Nov. 8–11, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center. PGMS and NALP are expected to provide further information as the event approaches, including the complete agenda and practical details for attendees; the announcement does not set a date for those updates.
At the conference, PGMS plans to hold the Grow Forum, recognize professional program graduates and certified managers, present its Green Star and Professional Awards, and welcome new society leaders. Until additional program information is released, the announced speakers and topics represent only the details currently available.
Key Questions
When and where is the PGMS 2026 annual conference?
The conference is scheduled for Nov. 8–11, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.
What is the announced AI session about?
The PGMS Grow Forum is titled “AI in Grounds Management: Exploring Innovation, Challenges, and Opportunities.” PGMS says it will examine how emerging tools may shape grounds teams’ planning and operations. Specific speakers and recommendations have not been announced in the source report.
Who is John Ledwidge?
Ledwidge is the director of grounds and landscapes for Manchester City and City Football Group. PGMS says his conference presentation will draw on his career and cover leadership, staff development, innovation and workplace culture.
Is the conference being held with another industry event?
Yes. PGMS says its conference is being held in partnership with the National Association of Landscape Professionals and co-located with NALP’s Elevate event.
What conference details have not been announced?
The source report does not provide the full schedule, registration and pricing information, additional speakers, the names of incoming PGMS leaders or award recipients, or further details about the AI forum.
Source: lawnandlandscape.com
