OutdoorCoffeeShop® is giving away complimentary passes to the Irrigation Show and Education Week, December 9-10 in Las Vegas.

Enter for your chance to win complimentary registration and experience the Irrigation Show and Education Week!

The Irrigation Association has secured Andy Papathanassiou, NASCAR’s first pit crew coach and a nationally recognized expert in leadership, teamwork and high-performance organizations, as the keynote speaker.

The Irrigation Association has secured Andy Papathanassiou, NASCAR’s first pit crew coach and a nationally recognized expert in leadership, teamwork and high-performance organizations, as the keynote speaker for the General Session and Breakfast at the 2026 Irrigation Show and Education Week, Dec. 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Papathanassiou transformed NASCAR pit crews by applying athletic training principles, data-driven decision-making and a relentless focus on teamwork, helping teams achieve record-setting performance. At the Irrigation Show, he will share lessons on building winning teams, embracing innovation and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

The Irrigation Show brings together irrigation professionals from across the industry for four days of education, networking, product discovery and business development. Attendees can explore the latest products and technologies, connect with industry leaders and gain practical insights to help their businesses and organizations succeed.

“We’re excited to bring Andy’s perspective to our members at the upcoming Irrigation Show,” says Natasha Rankin, Irrigation Association CEO. “His story is about much more than racing. It’s about challenging the way things have always been done, building strong teams and finding new ways to perform at a higher level. Those are challenges our industry faces every day. We’re confident that Andy will give attendees ideas and inspiration they can take back to their own businesses and teams.”

Other new and expanded experiences at the 2026 Irrigation Show include:

• Exchange Sessions: New peer-led discussions to share ideas, discuss challenges and learn through interactive conversation rather than traditional presentations
• Expanded IA University: Seven new Field-Contributed Series courses featuring practical, real-world expertise from irrigation professionals
• Expanded Industry Insights: More than 20 sessions organized into two new tracks: Business & Economics and Emerging Technology & Research.

Returning highlights include the New Product Contest, Startup Showcase, CAD Landscape Learning Labs, certification exams and networking events that bring together professionals from across the irrigation community. Together with the keynote by Andy Papathanassiou, these experiences will offer attendees new ideas, practical insights and valuable connections to help them and their businesses thrive in a changing industry.

The 2026 Irrigation Show and Education Week will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center and is co-locating with the National Ground Water Association’s Groundwater Week. Register now at irrigationshow.org. 

About the Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is the leading organization of irrigation professionals, serving as the recognized authority in efficient irrigation: promoting innovation, supporting industry growth and sustainability, engaging decision-makers and serving as the leading, credible and unifying voice and advocate for the industry. We seek to transform humanity’s stewardship and use of water, enabling the long-term sustainability of the planet’s water and natural resources and improving the quality of life through a reliable global food supply and vital green spaces. For more information, visit irrigation.org.

The Irrigation Association has named the City of Lake Oswego, Oregon, as the Smart Water Application Technologies 2026 Outstanding Industry Partnership Award recipient.

This award recognizes programs that strengthen collaboration between water providers and irrigation professionals to advance outdoor water-use efficiency. By spotlighting outstanding water providers and their innovative projects, the IA works to raise awareness of the critical importance of irrigation and the positive impact outdoor water-related partnerships have on our communities.

The City of Lake Oswego’s Water Use Assessment Rebate Program helps residents improve irrigation efficiency through professional system evaluations. The program provides rebates of up to $200 for Lake Oswego residents who hire qualified irrigation professionals to assess their irrigation systems and recommend property-specific improvements. By pairing financial incentives with personalized education and access to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data, the program helps residents better understand their water use and make informed decisions that support long-term conservation.

A key component of the program is its emphasis on working with trained irrigation professionals who hold industry certifications such as the IA’s certified irrigation designer, certified irrigation contractor, certified landscape irrigation auditor or certified irrigation technician credentials, or other recognized water-efficiency certifications.

“The Irrigation Association is proud to recognize the City of Lake Oswego with the 2026 Outstanding Industry Partnership Award,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin. “Its Water Use Assessment Rebate Program demonstrates the power of connecting water providers, customers and qualified irrigation professionals to achieve meaningful conservation results. Combining expert assessments by certified irrigation professionals with customer education and access to real-time water-use data allows Lake Oswego to give residents the knowledge and tools they need to make lasting improvements in outdoor water efficiency while protecting valuable water resources.”

Data collected through the city’s AMI system is already demonstrating measurable results, with participating properties reducing peak-season water use by 22% to 45% year over year. In one comparison, four participating accounts collectively saved nearly 22,000 gallons of water in a single month, demonstrating the impact that professional irrigation assessments and targeted system improvements can have on outdoor water conservation.

The 2026 SWAT Outstanding Industry Partnership Award was announced on Oct. 22 during the WaterSmart Innovations Conference. Applications for the 2027 IA SWAT awards will open in early 2027. For more information about the Irrigation Association, visit irrigation.org. For more about the Smart Water Application Technologies coalition led by the Irrigation Association, visit swatirrigation.org. 

 About the Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is the leading organization of irrigation professionals, serving as the recognized authority in efficient irrigation: promoting innovation, supporting industry growth and sustainability, engaging decision-makers and serving as the leading, credible and unifying voice and advocate for the industry. We seek to transform humanity’s stewardship and use of water, enabling the long-term sustainability of the planet’s water and natural resources and improving the quality of life through a reliable global food supply and vital green spaces. For more information, visit irrigation.org.

About SWAT

Smart Water Application Technologies is a partnership between water purveyors, equipment manufacturers and irrigation practitioners. Founded in 2002, SWAT is committed to identifying, testing and promoting innovative irrigation technologies and related best practices that improve water-use efficiency. For more information, visit swatirrigation.org.

The Irrigation Association is excited to announce that the Frontier Family Park Project has been named the recipient of the 2026 Vanguard Award, Landscape.

The IA’s Vanguard Award honors innovative projects in the irrigation industry executed by a team of individuals, companies organizations or other group entities. Projects chosen for this award exemplify the IA’s mission of promoting innovation in efficient irrigation and supporting industry growth and sustainability.

Frontier Family Park in Queen Creek, Arizona, represents a large-scale, collaborative approach to modern irrigation design and implementation. Led by J2 Design in partnership with the Town of Queen Creek and supported by a team of design sub-consultants, contractors and product manufacturers, the 85-acre park required an innovative solution to balance performance, efficiency and long-term sustainability within a complex desert environment. The project integrated advanced irrigation technologies, including smart control systems, multi-point flow monitoring and a high-capacity pump station, while maintaining the reliability of a conventional wired network. Designed and constructed on an accelerated timeline, the system addressed challenges related to scale, water management and operational efficiency, delivering a coordinated solution that supports both the park’s extensive amenities and the Town’s long-term maintenance goals.

“Frontier Family Park is a strong example of what thoughtful planning and collaboration can deliver for a community,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin. “J2 Design, the Town of Queen Creek and their project partners developed an irrigation system that supports a complex, large-scale public park while balancing efficiency, reliability and long-term maintenance needs. Their work shows how modern irrigation design, supported by strong partnerships, can help communities create public spaces that are both functional and responsible with water.”

Since its completion in 2024, Frontier Family Park has demonstrated strong performance across key operational metrics, including the ability to deliver efficient irrigation within a limited nighttime watering window while maintaining full public access during the day. The system’s flexible design supported phased construction and enabled early establishment of turf areas, ensuring project timelines were met despite the site’s complexity. Widely embraced by the Town of Queen Creek and the surrounding community, the project stands as a model for large municipal landscapes, showcasing how innovative irrigation design and collaborative execution can create resilient, efficient and high-impact public spaces.

“We are incredibly proud to see Frontier Family Park receive the Vanguard Award from the Irrigation Association,” said Kevin Wallin, CID, irrigation manager at J2 Design. “This project is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to innovation, resiliency, resource management and community placemaking. Working alongside the Town of Queen Creek, our project partners and the contractors, we were able to deliver an irrigation system that supports the park’s long-term performance while creating a destination the community can enjoy for generations to come. Receiving this recognition is especially rewarding because it reflects the dedication of everyone involved in bringing this vision to life.”

In addition to J2 Design and the Town of Queen Creek, this project included the following partners: Munro Companies, Hunter Industries, HydroPoint Data Systems (Baseline), Leemco Piping Solutions, Hunter Contracting and SiteWorks.

The 2026 IA Award recipients will be honored at the 2026 Irrigation Show and Education Week in Las Vegas, December 7-10. More information about this and other IA awards and past recipients can be found at irrigation.org/awards.

About the Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is the leading organization of irrigation professionals, serving as the recognized authority in efficient irrigation: promoting innovation, supporting industry growth and sustainability, engaging decision-makers and serving as the leading, credible and unifying voice and advocate for the industry. We seek to transform humanity’s stewardship and use of water, enabling the long-term sustainability of the planet’s water and natural resources and improving the quality of life through a reliable global food supply and vital green spaces. For more information, visit irrigation.org.

The Irrigation Association has named Upper Trinity Regional Water District, Texas, as the Smart Water Application Technologies 2026 Outstanding Public Engagement Award recipient.

This award recognizes a water provider with a successful program focused on engaging and educating the public on smart, efficient irrigation technologies and practices. By shining the spotlight on outstanding water providers and their innovative projects, the IA is working to raise awareness among water customers of the critical importance and impact the irrigation industry has on communities across the United States.

Upper Trinity Regional Water District is being recognized for its Residential Irrigation System Check-Up Program and its enhanced approach to customer engagement following the addition of a full-time, licensed irrigation specialist in 2025. Serving approximately 490,000 residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the program provides free on-site irrigation system evaluations that help residents identify inefficiencies, improve irrigation scheduling and adopt water-saving technologies and practices. Through personalized, one-on-one consultations, residents learn how to operate their irrigation controllers, identify common system problems and implement water-efficient strategies, while also exploring technologies including smart controllers, rain and freeze sensors and multi-stream nozzles.

“The Irrigation Association is proud to honor Upper Trinity Regional Water District with the 2026 Outstanding Public Engagement Award,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin. “The addition of a dedicated irrigation specialist has elevated an already successful conservation program by creating meaningful, face-to-face interactions that empower residents to become better stewards of water. By combining professional expertise, practical education and smart irrigation technologies, Upper Trinity is helping customers make informed decisions that reduce water waste and generate lasting conservation benefits throughout the communities it serves.”

In 2025, Upper Trinity completed 440 irrigation check-ups across 15 communities. Evaluations found that 71% of participating properties were overwatering, with recommended controller adjustments capable of saving a combined 625,539 gallons of water each week or nearly 2,000 gallons per home. Program assessments also identified 1,388 recommended repairs or adjustments to improve irrigation efficiency.

The 2026 SWAT Outstanding Public Engagement Award was announced on Oct. 22 during the WaterSmart Innovations Conference. Applications for the 2027 IA SWAT awards will open in early 2027. For more information about the Irrigation Association, visit irrigation.org. For more about the Smart Water Application Technologies coalition led by the Irrigation Association, visit swatirrigation.org.

About the Irrigation Association

The Irrigation Association is the leading organization of irrigation professionals, serving as the recognized authority in efficient irrigation: promoting innovation, supporting industry growth and sustainability, engaging decision-makers and serving as the leading, credible and unifying voice and advocate for the industry. We seek to transform humanity’s stewardship and use of water, enabling the long-term sustainability of the planet’s water and natural resources and improving the quality of life through a reliable global food supply and vital green spaces. For more information, visit irrigation.org.

About SWAT

Smart Water Application Technologies is a partnership between water purveyors, equipment manufacturers and irrigation practitioners. Founded in 2002, SWAT is committed to identifying, testing and promoting innovative irrigation technologies and related best practices that improve water-use efficiency. For more information, visit swatirrigation.org.

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!

The Irrigation Show and Education Week is the irrigation industry’s ultimate resource for cutting-edge technology, best-in-class education and invaluable networking opportunities. If you’re ready to elevate your skills and supercharge your business, this is the event for you!

The Irrigation Show attracts professionals from all corners of the industry. Our attendees include irrigation contractors, manufacturers, dealers, distributors, consultants, growers, researchers, educators and students.

Attending the Irrigation Show gives you the inside scoop on the latest and greatest developments impacting the industry. Join us to:

• stay ahead with cutting-edge irrigation trends and solutions.
• gain valuable insights through expert-led sessions and discussions.
• build meaningful connections with industry leaders and peers.
• earn CEUs and advance your professional credentials.

Discover the latest irrigation innovations at the 2026 Irrigation Show.

By The Coffee Shops®. 

Don’t miss the irrigation industry’s ultimate event for technology, education and networking. 

The irrigation industry's biggest annual gathering is heading to Las Vegas, Nevada, December 7-10, 2026, and the Irrigation Association is encouraging professionals to secure their spot now. The 2026 Irrigation Show brings together contractors, designers, distributors, manufacturers and water management professionals for four days of education, networking and innovation. 

Attendees can expect a packed schedule featuring educational sessions, industry insights presentations and networking opportunities designed to help professionals stay informed about the latest trends, technologies and business strategies shaping the irrigation industry. Registration also includes access to the exhibit floor, general session and breakfast, along with several networking and social events held throughout the week. 

One of the show's biggest draws is the expansive trade show floor, where attendees can connect directly with manufacturers, suppliers and service providers showcasing the newest products, equipment and technologies available to the irrigation market. The event's exhibitor directory and interactive floor plan will help visitors make the most of their time while discovering new solutions for their businesses. 

The event also offers valuable opportunities to network with peers from across the country and around the world. In addition to educational programming, attendees can participate in receptions and social gatherings that encourage relationship-building and industry collaboration. 

While exploring the exhibit hall, stop by The Coffee Shops booth (C202) to connect with the team, learn about industry marketing opportunities and stay up to date on the latest news and conversations impacting the irrigation industry. 

Whether you're looking to discover new products, gain professional insights, expand your network or strengthen your business, the 2026 Irrigation Show & Education Week offers something for every segment of the industry. 

Register today to join irrigation professionals from around the world in Las Vegas. Registration and housing information are available through the official show website. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Val Fishman is helping connect growers with resources that support more precise, water-efficient irrigation systems. 

Smart irrigation technology can help agricultural communities conserve water while maintaining productive farmland, but adoption often depends on whether growers can access practical funding. Val Fishman, an advocacy and development consultant with Netafim, Orbia Precision Agriculture, works at the intersection of agriculture, industry and sustainability and contributes to the Irrigation Association’s efforts to promote broader adoption of smart irrigation practices. During her five years in the irrigation industry, she has helped translate corporate sustainability commitments into measurable benefits on farms while supporting the long-term viability of farming communities. 

Val entered the field after spending 11 years with an environmental nonprofit, where she helped shape work now known as corporate water stewardship. That experience showed her how agriculture could directly influence water use and climate outcomes. 

Subsurface drip irrigation using manure effluent was one technology that captured her attention. Netafim later patented the approach as SDI-E, demonstrating how irrigation innovation could produce environmental and operational benefits for farmers. 

Today, Val views smart irrigation adoption as both a funding challenge and a connection challenge. She works to connect farmers with financial resources that can help them modernize their irrigation systems. While some of that work involves improving access to state and federal programs, she primarily collaborates with private-sector companies investing in agriculture through sustainability strategies. 

Precision remains central to the value of smart irrigation. In Western regions, improved systems can help farmers manage limited water allocations without removing land from production. In groundwater-dependent areas, they can help extend finite supplies. In regions experiencing flash drought, better information can support faster decisions before crop stress affects yield. 

Val believes accessible funding could remove one of the most significant barriers to adoption. Although proven irrigation technologies are available, financial resources can be difficult to access, slow to deploy or poorly aligned with farm-level decision-making. 

Learn more about how smart irrigation professionals are advancing water efficiency across agriculture!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Municipal parks departments are combining smart irrigation technology, recycled water, turf conversion and long-term planning to reduce water consumption. 

As the Irrigation Association reports, municipalities facing tighter water restrictions are finding that no single conservation measure is enough. The most significant savings come from combining irrigation technology, efficient landscapes, data monitoring and proactive planning. Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) must reduce water use by 20% during the 2026 season under Denver Water’s Water Budget Program. The department is building on more than a decade of investment in centralized irrigation control. 

“Over the past decade, DPR has systematically converted all park irrigation controllers to a central control system,” said Stephanie Figueroa, marketing and communications specialist for the City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation department. “Today, our network includes 740 controllers serving more than 330 parks.” 

The system uses weather stations, rain sensors, automatic rain shutoffs and evapotranspiration-based scheduling. According to Stephanie, centralized control has reduced water consumption by an average of 20% and saved millions of gallons during major rain events. 

Arizona municipalities are taking similar steps. Phoenix Parks and Recreation has invested $2 million since 2012 to install smart controllers across 90% of its largest outdoor facilities. Scottsdale Parks has documented more than three billion gallons in savings over approximately 25 years while routinely using 15% less water than its annual allotment. 

Technology is only one part of the strategy. About 30% of Denver’s parks use recycled water, while the department continues replacing traditional bluegrass turf with drought-tolerant native grasses. In 2026, Denver will also shut off decorative fountains to prioritize athletic fields and tree canopies. 

Municipalities are pairing these improvements with consumption reports, alerts, water budgets and third-party irrigation audits. Caitlyn A. Hall, Ph.D., with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, emphasized that early preparation also improves results. Caitlyn shared, “Securing funding, building contractor capacity and establishing programs before they are urgently needed reduces ‘speed bumps’ and produces better outcomes.” 

Learn more about how municipalities are using irrigation upgrades and long-term planning to conserve water!