Go all in on irrigation

By Emma Peterson. 

The 2026 Irrigation Show gives attendees the connections and insights needed to succeed! 

Each year, the Irrigation Association puts together the Irrigation Show. This show brings professionals from all parts of the industry and corners of the United States together to level up the outdoor industry and boost their businesses. One of the biggest draws of the show is the best-in-class education opportunities, which makes sense given that the show is scheduled as a part of the Irrigation Association’s Education Week.  

But just because it’s a priority, doesn’t mean education is the only thing to look forward to at the Irrigation Show! The team behind the scenes knows that classroom learning is just one part of developing businesses and professionals. Another key part is building industry connections and community. And the Irrigation Show is the premier place for outdoor professionals to build those ties as well! Here’s a peek at some of the events designed to build connections at the 2026 Irrigation Show!  

Tuesday, December 8 

• Lucky Shots and Long Drives: Hosted at the beginning of the show (Tuesday, December 8), this event gives attendees the opportunity to spend an afternoon practicing your swing with their peers at the Las Vegas Country Club.  
• Newcomer’s Roundtable: It can be intimidating to walk into a show of this size for the first time. If you’re feeling those nerves, this is an event for you! At the Newcomer’s Roundtable, not only will you be able to meet others in your shoes; you’ll also get to talk with industry and show veterans.  
• Sin City Soirée: And in the evening of December 8, the beginning of the show will be celebrated with a welcome event, complete with music, light hors d’oeuvres and a welcome drink on the house. This is a great way to mingle with all the professionals at the 2026 show.  

Wednesday, December 9 

• Women in Irrigation: Kicking off December 9 at 7:30 a.m. is the Women in Irrigation breakfast. This special event puts the spotlight on the hardworking women who are pushing the industry higher every day.  
• Certification Luncheon: Being an Irrigation Association certified professional is a great step towards raising the professionality of the outdoor industry. And at noon on December 9, there is a special luncheon to celebrate and thank those who have completed their certification!  
• Young Professional Social: Ending the night on December 9 is a social for attendees under 40! This networking happy hour is a great way to catch up with your industry friends and make new ones!  

Thursday, December 10 

• Plant for Impact: Hosted in the Central Hall Lobby, the Plant for Impact event, sponsored by Rain Bird, gives attendees a great opportunity to build community and give back at the same time! 
• IA Awards Spotlight Social: Celebrate the gamechangers in the outdoor industry on December 10 at the Irrigation Association Awards Spotlight Social. There will be refreshments and the opportunity to talk to this year’s awardees. 
• Hoover Dam Tour: Explore one of America's greatest engineering wonders with your peers during an exclusive tour of Hoover Dam. Included in this event is roundtrip transport, admission, a guided tour and a buffet dinner.  
• Hops and High Rollers: The Hops and High Rollers reception will close out the trade show on December 10. This is a great opportunity to get your last look at different exhibitor booths, chat about the show with your peers and enjoy some delicious local craft beer. 

Multi-day events 

• New Product Contest: Whenever the trade show is open (Wednesday and Thursday), attendees can browse the entries for the New Product Contest. This is a great way to combine checking out new technology and products with some networking with representatives from companies paving the way. 
• Business Exchange: Prefer a more formal networking scenario? The Business Exchange sessions are designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences and solutions. There are dedicated sessions on both December 9 and December 10 for a variety of different topics including contracting, agriculture policy and landscape codes. 

Want to be a part of these events and more? Register for the 2026 Irrigation Show (December 7-10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada) today!