GaLaBau 2026 is not only the Leading International Trade Fair for Urban Green and Open Spaces, but also a key platform for knowledge transfer and professional exchange. From 15 to 18 September 2026, visitors in Nuremberg will gain valuable insights into current developments, innovative technologies and forward-looking concepts. The conceptual sponsor of GaLaBau is the German Federal Association of Horticulture, Landscaping and Sports Facilities (BGL), while NürnbergMesse is the event organizer.
Fresh ideas emerge where knowledge is shared, experiences are discussed and innovation becomes visible. This is exactly what the expert forums and award ceremonies at GaLaBau 2026 are designed to achieve. They provide guidance for an industry addressing key challenges such as climate adaptation, digitalization, skilled labor recruitment and retention, and future-oriented urban development.
GaLaBau Expert Forum: Knowledge. Inspiration. Future.
At the GaLaBau Expert Forum, located at the BGL stand in Hall 3A, Stand 3A-111, compact expert presentations will take place throughout all four days of the exhibition. Fifteen-minute sessions will provide practical insights into current topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), climate adaptation, urban green spaces, water management, workforce development, business succession planning and modern business management. Experts from industry, academia and associations will share background knowledge and practical recommendations on topics ranging from charging infrastructure concepts in landscaping, AI applications in office environments and cyber insurance to green façades, employee development and nature-based hydraulic engineering. Attendance at the forum is free of charge and no registration is required.
FORUM by asecos academy: Practical Knowledge for Safety and Responsibility
The new FORUM by asecos academy, located in Hall 11, Stand 300, is aimed at trade visitors seeking to expand their expertise in current safety-related issues. Leading specialists will deliver concise presentations covering the safe handling of hazardous materials and lithium-ion batteries, leak management and water protection, as well as legal requirements for everyday business operations. Interactive discussions, live demonstrations and practical recommendations make the forum a valuable source of knowledge for companies in the gardening and landscaping sector.
Landscape Talks: Solutions for Livable Open Spaces
The GaLaBau Landscape Talks provide visitors with practical expert insights into current challenges in designing urban living environments. Organized in cooperation with the German Association of Playground Equipment and Leisure Facility Manufacturers (BSFH) and the trade magazine Playground@Landscape, the programme on 15 and 16 September focuses on play and physical activity, inclusion and playground safety. Central to the discussions is the question of how cities and municipalities can transform public spaces into multifunctional spaces for recreation, movement and social interaction in response to changing leisure behaviors.
Further perspectives will be offered through the Landscape Talks under the guiding theme “Climate-Resilient Urban Green”, taking place on 16 and 17 September in Hall 2, Stand 2-303. Organized jointly by Patzer Verlag Berlin-Hannover and NürnbergMesse, these sessions will bring together experts to discuss strategies for coping with rising temperatures, preserving biodiversity and creating climate-resilient urban open spaces. The presentations will provide insights into current developments and showcase practical approaches for planning and implementing modern, multifunctional open spaces.
bdla Presentations: Landscape Architecture in Dialogue
The German Association of Landscape Architects (bdla) will once again be represented at GaLaBau in 2026, providing valuable input on the future challenges of open space planning. The focus will be on topics such as climate-adapted open spaces, biodiversity, health, inclusive urban design and construction technology. Presentations, discussions and exhibitions will demonstrate the contributions of landscape architecture to creating livable cities and communities while fostering dialogue between planning and implementation.
Programme highlights include the bdla Construction Review Meeting on 16 September in the Istanbul Room (NCC East), featuring presentations on playground safety, biodiversity, rainwater management and construction-related issues, as well as a dedicated continuing education event on construction technology. In addition, the exhibition “naturally female – female: of course” places a special spotlight on the work and perspectives of women in landscape architecture.
GaLaBau Innovation Medal: Driving Progress in Practice
With the GaLaBau Innovation Medal, the German Federal Association of Horticulture, Landscaping and Sports Facilities (BGL) honors pioneering products, processes and services. The award recognizes developments that advance the gardening and landscaping sector and set new standards for professional practice. For many exhibition participants, the award serves as a valuable guide when searching for innovative solutions and future-ready technologies. In 2026, particular attention will be given to climate-adapted solutions and concepts.
The GaLaBau Innovation Medal Award Ceremony will take place on 15 September 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the GaLaBau Expert Forum, BGL Stand (Hall 3A, Stand 3A-111).
ELCA Trend Award: European Perspectives for the Green Sector
The ELCA Trend Award “Building with Green” recognizes an outstanding European project that demonstrates how green infrastructure can help address current societal challenges. The award is presented jointly by the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) and the German Federal Association of Horticulture, Landscaping and Sports Facilities (BGL). Evaluation criteria include professional excellence, sustainability, maintenance requirements and exemplary character.
The award ceremony will take place on 15 September 2026 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at the GaLaBau Expert Forum, BGL Stand (Hall 3A, Stand 3A-111).
10th BGL Education Award Honours the Next Generation of Professionals and Leaders
With the BGL Education Award, the German Federal Association of Horticulture, Landscaping and Sports Facilities (BGL) honors six dedicated professionals for the tenth time. All recipients are recognized for outstanding achievements in vocational education and professional development, as well as for their commitment to the landscaping profession.
For the first time in 2026, innovative and outstanding training companies will also be recognized in a dedicated category. The BGL Education Award helps raise awareness of the profession of landscape gardener and enhances its attractiveness among young people entering the workforce and emerging professionals. At the same time, it encourages companies to maintain a long-term commitment to vocational training and skills development. The award highlights the vital importance of qualified professionals for the future of the landscaping industry and showcases exemplary dedication to training and promoting young talent.
The BGL Education Award Ceremony will take place on 16 September 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the GaLaBau Expert Forum, BGL Stand (Hall 3A, Stand 3A-111).
Motorist of the Year: Recognizing Entrepreneurial Excellence
The “Motorist of the Year” award has honored particularly service-oriented and commercially successful specialist dealers in garden, forestry and municipal technology since 2015. In 2026, the award ceremony will be held at GaLaBau for the first time, putting the spotlight on businesses distinguished by innovation, industry commitment and customer focus.
The Motorist of the Year Award Ceremony will take place on 16 September 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the FORUM by asecos academy (Hall 11, Stand 300).
Whether expert presentation, discussion or award ceremony, the forums and awards at GaLaBau 2026 offer far more than knowledge transfer alone. They make future-oriented topics visible, encourage the exchange of experience and demonstrate which ideas, technologies and people are driving the green sector forward. In doing so, the exhibition once again underscores its position as a leading platform for industry trends and innovation.
