The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall tour stop DeWayne’s located in Selma, NC

2025 Garden Center Group Fall Event recap: Getting Wiser in Raleigh, North Carolina
2025 Garden Center Group Fall Event recap: Getting Wiser in Raleigh, North Carolina By Teresa McPherson

The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall Event included a conference, roundtable discussions, a garden retail tour and plenty of networking opportunities.

The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall Event took place Sept. 22-25 in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a special afternoon session on Sept. 21, “Badges That Bloom: Micro-Learning Strategies to Grow Revenue & Retain Talent” presented by Owen Raisch and Gary Burns. The pair introduced a Performance Badge Program built on best practices from across the industry that retail garden centers can implement to boost sales, shrink onboarding time and lift staff retention.

A record-setting over 300 people gathered for the event, according to Danny Summers, managing director.

Here’s a look back at the event.

Danny Summers welcomes a record number of attendees to The Garden Center Group Fall Event.

Dan Gingiss, The Experience Maker, held a live customer experience Focus group at The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall Event.

The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall tour stop Homewood Nursery and Garden Center — Homewood Nursery and Garden Center was the first stop on the 2025 Garden Center Group Fall Event retail tour.

The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall tour stop Homewood Nursery and Garden Center — Pumpkins were a-plenty at Homewood Nursery and Garden Center.

The 2025 Garden Center Group Fall tour stop For Garden's Sake — For Garden’s Sake in Durham, North Carolina, was the second tour stop.

For Garden's Sake in Durham, North Carolina, cleverly repurposed bicycles and a payphone for an eye-catching display. — For Garden’s Sake in Durham, North Carolina, cleverly repurposed bicycles and a payphone for an eye-catching display.

Fairview Garden Center served as stop No. 3. — Fairview Garden Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, served as stop No. 3.

Spooky season was in full swing at Fairview Garden Center, with displays combining fall plants and decor.

Fourth stop Logan's Garden Shop is located at the North Carolina State Farmers Market. — Fourth stop Logan’s Garden Shop is located at the North Carolina State Farmers Market.

Fourth stop Logan's Garden Shop is located at the North Carolina State Farmers Market. — Logan’s Garden Shop was all stocked for Halloween with plenty of fall decor items.

The final tour stop was DeWayne’s, located in Selma, North Carolina.

DeWayne's cleverly tucked air plants into sea shells — a nod to its North Carolina location. — DeWayne’s cleverly tucked air plants into sea shells — a nod to its North Carolina location.

Christmas Land 2025 At Dewayne's - The Largest Christmas Store in North Carolina — Tour attendees got a sneak peek of Christmas Land 2025, which was just beginning to be set up at Dewayne’s — reportedly the largest Christmas store in North Carolina.

Teresa McPherson

Teresa McPherson is the managing editor of Lawn & Garden Retailer. Contact her at tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com.

75 Applewood Drive, Suite A
PO Box 128
Sparta, MI 49345

frontdesk@greatamericanpublish.com

616.520.2137

© 2025 Great American Media Services. All rights reserved. Website Development by Deyo Designs

Get one year of Lawn & Garden Retailer in both print and digital editions for free.

Interested in reading the print issue of LGR?

Subscribe Today »

Be sure to check
out our sister site.