The University of Iowa welcomed landscape professionals from 17 universities across the country to Iowa City from June 16–18 for the 2026 Big Ten & Friends Landscape Managers Conference, an annual event dedicated to sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative approaches to managing and enhancing university landscapes.
Established in 1972, the conference brings together landscape professionals from Big Ten universities and peer institutions to learn from one another, build connections, and explore the unique outdoor environments that define their campuses.
The conference began Tuesday evening, June 16, with a welcome reception at Vue Rooftop at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel in downtown Iowa City, providing attendees an opportunity to connect and network before the conference officially began.
Formal conference activities kicked off on Wednesday, June 17, with presentations from Facilities Management leadership before attendees embarked on east campus walking tours. Despite steady rain throughout much of the morning, participants explored key campus landmarks and outdoor spaces, including the Pentacrest, Iowa Memorial Union area, campus gardens, state champion trees, and surrounding landscapes maintained by University of Iowa Landscape Services. The tour also included stops at the Pomerantz Center to hear from UI Admissions and the University of Iowa’s award-winning Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
Wednesday concluded with dinner at Kinnick Stadium, where guests enjoyed one of the university's most iconic venues and had the opportunity to step on the field, wave to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and meet Herky the Hawk.
On Thursday, attendees gathered in better weather for additional presentations, sponsor demonstrations, lunch at Hancher Auditorium, and a day full of tours on the west side of campus. The tour showcased landscapes across the health sciences and athletic campuses and facilities, gardens, gathering spaces, and other notable outdoor environments that support teaching, research, patient care, and student life.
The conference wrapped up with a visit to the President's Residence for a closing reception, providing one final opportunity for attendees to connect and reflect on the ideas and experiences shared throughout the week.
Thank you to all of our conference sponsors for their generous support to help make this event possible:
Platinum Sponsors
Samsara
ECHO
Silver Sponsors
Shive-Hattery
STIHL
Bronze Sponsors
Landscape Forms
Central Turf Agronomy
MTI Distribution
Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS)
The event photos are available for download on the Big Ten and Friends Landscape Managers Conference Webpage.