ASLA 2026: Your Guide to the Show
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! Whether you're a licensed landscape architect or a landscape designer building your portfolio, ASLA remains the biggest gathering in the field for design inspiration, technical know-how, and product sourcing.
In this guide, you'll discover how to choose the right sessions, a few ground rules to get the most out of the show, and a roundup of can't-miss sights and activities while you're in LA. Let's dive in!
Source: ASLA
Finding the Right Sessions
This year's theme, Action!, centers on practice, progress, and purpose, with sessions spanning climate resilience, sustainable materials, emerging technology, and project delivery. Here are a few ways to think about building your schedule:
Mix visionary talks with technical sessions: ASLA's program pairs big-picture keynotes on design philosophy and public space with hands-on technical sessions covering materials, planting design, and site systems. A good schedule usually has both.
Look for sessions on planting design and materials: These sessions tend to be the most immediately useful for designers building a personal library of go-to solutions, while offering landscape architects a chance to refresh their specs with newer, more sustainable options.
Prioritize climate resilience and ecology sessions: With Action! as the theme, expect strong programming on ecological restoration, water conservation, and designing for climate resilience.
Check the Professional Practice Network (PPN) meetings: These informal, peer-led sessions cover everything from planting design to community design to campus planning, and they're a great low-pressure way to meet others working in your niche.
Use the official schedule tool: ASLA's full session schedule lets you filter by day and search for specific topics. Make sure to check back as the schedule fills in closer to the show.
Source: ASLA
Pro tip: Choose at least one session outside your usual focus. You might walk away with unexpected inspiration or even a new specialty!
Making the Most of ASLA 2026: A Few Ground Rules
Plan with intention
Before you build your schedule, get clear on why you're there — professional growth, inspiration, networking, or CEUs — and let that shape which sessions and booths make the cut. A conference with a goal feels a lot shorter than one without.
Get your bearings early
The LA Convention Center is large, and this year's show spans South Hall GHJK and Concourse Hall. Pull up the floor plan before day one so you're not burning valuable time hunting for a booth or session room between meetings.
Leave room to wander
You won't get to everything, and that's fine. Some of the most valuable conversations at ASLA happen in the hallways and on the show floor, not in the session rooms, so build in unstructured time and don’t pack your schedule.
Pace yourself physically
Drink water, eat regularly, and take real breaks. Don't skip meals just to squeeze in one more session. Look out for any wellness or quiet spaces ASLA provides on-site if you need a reset. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing help too; September in LA usually means warm, dry days outside and cooler, air-conditioned halls inside.
Come prepared to collect
Between vendor giveaways and product samples, you'll pick up more than you expect, so make sure to bring a bag!
Talk to exhibitors
If a speaker inspires you or a booth catches your eye, say so. Most presenters love chatting with attendees, and manufacturers on the floor are often the fastest way to get straight answers on materials, specs, or installation details.
Stay plugged in online
Follow the official hashtag #ASLA2026 to catch real-time updates, see what other attendees recommend, and share your own takeaways as the show unfolds.
While You're in LA
Source: City of Santa Monica
Here are a few ways to make the most of the host city between sessions:
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.
Connect with CADdetails at ASLA 2026
CADdetails is your trusted source for free, high-quality building product design files, and we're excited to see you on the show floor. Swing by Booth #825 to grab some swag and sign up for our AEC newsletter for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
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