APLD VC MENTORING PROGRAM | FALL BLOCK 2026

Overview

Provide emerging professional, professional and student members with information to help them become better designers and businesspeople.

The APLD Group Mentoring Program is a guided educational series designed to support both emerging and established landscape designers as they deepen their professional skills. In 2026, the program focuses on the APLD Core Competency of Professional Business Practices, offering practical guidance for building a confident, ethical, and sustainable design business. We meet as a group so you can network, build community and learn from each other.

The Mentoring Program is divided into two seasonal blocks—Spring and Fall—each consisting of four live sessions. Participants may register for one block or join both for a full-year experience (the fall block will be available for registration later in 2026). Each meeting will count as 1 hour of APLD CEU.

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Dates: September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3 (all Thursdays!)

Time: 12 PM ET (9 AM PT, 10 AM MT, 11 AM CT)

Classes: Will take place on Zoom, with Q&A after each session

Instructor/coordinator: The sessions will be led by experienced professionals both in and outside of the design field. Rachel Gioannini is heading up the program—she's an experienced landscape designer and educator, as well as an Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University, plus serves on the APLD Board of Directors.

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During the Fall Block, we will explore the following topics:(Topics are subject to change)

• Being a compelling and inspiring speaker/inspiring confidence from clients

• What to do with “spare” time that is still useful for the company

• Panel discussion: project management, client red flags, branding, logos, taglines, marketing ideas, keeping focused, systems to track

• Inquiries, phone calls, billing, sign rates, and what marketing is bringing you clients

Across the series, discussions will focus on clarifying best practices, refine their business systems, and strengthen their professional foundation in alignment with APLD standards—all within a supportive mentoring environment.

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Recordings: We’d love to have you participate live so we can build community, but understand life happens, so we will have the fall block recordings available until two weeks after the last class.