MANTS 2026 delivers a sold-out show floor in Baltimore

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) returned to the Baltimore Convention Center Jan. 7 – 9, welcoming over 10,800 horticulture professionals, including exhibitors, for three days of sourcing, relationship-building and order-writing across the green industry.

The sold-out trade show floor featured over 890 exhibiting companies, a count that reflects larger booth footprints and expanded displays as exhibitors invested more space to meet with customers, debut new product lines and move early-season business conversations from interest to action.

Exhibitors showcased new plant material, nursery stock, equipment, growing inputs, containers and operational solutions designed to help businesses run efficiently in the season ahead.

“MANTS is where the industry comes to do real business – compare, decide and commit,” said Vanessa A. Finney, MANTS executive vice president. “This year’s sold-out floor and expanded booth space tell a clear story. Companies are investing in face-to-face time with serious buyers, and attendees come prepared to make decisions that enhance their operations.”

MANTS brings together owners, growers, buyers, suppliers and senior decision-makers from across the supply chain, with 84% of attendees authorizing or influencing their company’s purchasing decisions. The 2026 show also welcomed nearly 3,200 non-exhibiting buying companies.

“MANTS is more than a trade show; it’s the single best place to connect with customers, suppliers and peers while seeing what’s next for the industry,” said Ed Castro, owner, Rocky Creek Nursery. “The conversations, the access and the knowledge you gain here rival any formal education program. If you want to grow smarter and stronger in this business, this is where you need to be.”

“These were the busiest days we’ve ever had at a trade show,” said first-time exhibitor Claire Chambers, founder, Meadow Lab. “MANTS is enormous, in the best way, and filled with people who are genuinely passionate about plants, growing and new ways of doing things. The energy on the floor is incredible.”

MANTS will return Jan. 13 15, 2027. For more information, visit mants.com.

The team from the Jamaica Central Labour Organization was on hand to talk about procuring H-2A workers.

Winter weather never dulls the excitement of MANTS.

This friendly fella from Green Landing Nursery was quite popular with exhibitors and attendees!

Rusty Mangrum Nursery is a locally owned, wholesale nursery in Tennessee specializing in and growing an assortment of bareroot tree liners and seedlings.

Dugald with Kelco Industries connects with an attendee. Kelco offers supplies for all types of holiday craft projects including wreaths, centerpieces, tabletop trees and kissing balls.

Ben with Paul Boers Ltd. chats with an attendee. Paul Boers Manufacturing is a manufacturer of state-of-the-art greenhouses and serves clients across the country.

Griffin Greenhouse Supplies Inc., a family-owned, single-source supplier for all of your horticultural needs, is a trusted advertiser with Country Folks Grower.

Country Folks Grower consultant Chris Nyce visits Oliver of long-time advertiser D&B Plants.

Tree Equipment Design Inc. offers a complete line of landscape and nursery equipment for the industry, including tree spades, planters, diggers and more, made in Pennsylvania.