The world's largest commercial tree care trade show and conference, featuring 260+ exhibitors, live equipment demos, and 45+ hours of ISA CEU education.
Dates
11–14 Nov 2026
City / country
Fort Lauderdale, United States
Venue
Broward County Convention Center
Time
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
TCI EXPO is the world's largest commercial tree care industry trade show and conference, organized annually by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). Convening more than 7,000 commercial arborists, utility vegetation management executives, municipal foresters, and crew leaders, the event spans over 500,000 square feet of exhibit and demonstration space at the Broward County Convention Center.
The exhibition showcases heavy wood chippers, whole-tree grinders, aerial bucket trucks, compact tracked spider lifts, cranes with grapple saws, chainsaws, climbing ropes, and rigging hardware. Alongside the extensive trade floor, attendees participate in over 45 hours of classroom education and live field training, earning up to 30 ISA Certified Arborist Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Interactive attractions include the iconic Demo Dome for live canopy rigging demonstrations, the TCI EXPODemo arena, and the Women's Tree Climbing Workshop showcase.
TL;DR
Evaluate heavy machinery side-by-side on the trade show floor, observe live high-angle rigging and felling demos in the Demo Dome, earn critical ISA CEU recertification credits, and network with over 7,000 commercial arborists, utility contractors, and municipal forestry leaders.
Showcase wood chippers, aerial lifts, cranes, stump grinders, telehandlers, climbing hardware, and software directly to tree care owners, municipal procurement directors, and utility contractors with active capital expenditure budgets—71% of whom make direct purchasing decisions.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
71950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States
Entrances & gates
Eisenhower Blvd Main Concourse Entrance
Primary entrance for badge printing, coat check, and attendee keynote access.
Water Taxi & Marina Plaza Portal
Direct access for guests arriving via Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi along the Intracoastal Canal.
Freight Marshaling Dock Gate 3
Restricted entry for Freeman logistics, crane riggers, and flatbed transport trailers.
2,500 on-site covered parking spaces in adjacent Northport garage connected by covered skybridge.
2,500 spaces · 20/day
Quiet contemplation and multi-faith prayer room located on Mezzanine Level Room 208.
Staffed coat and gear check available inside Main Registration Lobby on Ground Level.
Secure luggage storage concourse desk operated by show concierge for delegates departing directly to FLL Airport.
High-capacity mobile charging stations located in Central Concourse and Arborist Networking Lounges.
Complimentary shuttle service between partner convention hotels along 17th Street Causeway and convention center entrance.
Parking: Adjoining 6-story multi-level parking garage at 1950 Eisenhower Blvd offering 2,500+ spaces. Hourly and flat-rate daily event parking ($20/day) with direct covered pedestrian bridge access into Level 2 registration concourse.
Gate: Exhibitor freight entry via Security Gate 3 on Southeast 20th Street leading to Hall A/B/C marshaling yards and roll-up doors.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Trade Show Only Pass (TCIA Member)
Admission to trade show floor, equipment demonstrations, and welcome reception for 3 days.
Trade Show Only Pass (Non-Member)
Admission to trade show floor, equipment demonstrations, and welcome reception for 3 days.
All-Access Education Pass (Early Bird Member)
Full access to trade show floor, 35+ classroom sessions, and maximum ISA CEU credits.
All-Access Education Pass (Early Bird Non-Member)
Full access to trade show floor, 35+ classroom sessions, and maximum ISA CEU credits.
All-Access Pass (Standard/Onsite Member)
Standard/onsite registration rate for full education conference program.
All-Access Pass (Standard/Onsite Non-Member)
Standard/onsite registration rate for full education conference program.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Digital badge QR codes emailed upon registration. Scan at self-service kiosks in the Main Registration Lobby for instant badge printing and lanyards.
Ticket notes
Early-bird discount tier ends September 20, 2026. Student discounts available with valid academic ID. TCIA member discounts applied automatically via member login.
Registration deadline
2026-11-14
Build-up & tear-down
Who runs the show
Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
What's on
1
Classroom Lecture
1
Panel Discussion
2
Event days
09:30–15:30
Typical time
Dr. John Ball
Professor of Forestry & Arboriculture Specialist @ South Dakota State University / ANSI Z133 Committee
Tree worker safety, chain saw felling mechanics, and rigging incident analysis.
Peter Gerstenberger
Senior Vice President of Industry Expertise @ Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
ANSI Z133 regulatory updates and TCIA safety accreditation benchmarking.
Travis Vickerson
CTS-P & Operations Safety Director @ Chippers Inc. / TCIA Master Trainer
Crew leadership, commercial battery fleet transition, and equipment ROI.
Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist & Co-Founder @ Women's Tree Climbing Workshop
High-angle climbing ergonomics, canopy exploration, and rigging mastery.
Thursday, Nov 12, 2026
Advanced Rigging Physics: Dissipating Shock Loads in Critical Canopy Removals
ANSI Z133 Overhaul: What Every Crew Leader Must Implement in 2027
Friday, Nov 13, 2026
Fleet Electrification Economics: Real-World Battery Tool ROI vs Gas Maintenance
Women in Arboriculture: High-Angle Tree Climbing & Rigging Masterclass
Women's Tree Climbing Workshop (WTCW) Intensive
Dedicated pre-conference hands-on climbing clinic focusing on modern ascending systems, knot mechanics, and aerial rescue.
WebsiteTCIA Safety Awards & Excellence in Arboriculture Innovations
Annual honors recognizing tree care companies with zero-incident safety records and breakthrough equipment engineering.
sourceHow the last edition performed
Last edition
—
Visitors: 6,400
Exhibitors: 255
This edition
2026
Visitors: 7,200
Exhibitors: 275
Next edition
2026
Fort Lauderdale marks the Florida debut for TCI EXPO, opening direct access to southeastern hurricane response contractors and Latin American tree care delegations.
Expanded indoor Demo Dome footprint New commercial battery and fleet electrification zone
Growth over time
Testimonials
TCI EXPO is the single show where we walk the floor with our head mechanics and write checks for new chippers and bucket trucks. You can't replicate seeing these machines operate live.
As an exhibitor, the buyer intent here is unmatched. Tree care operators come ready to sign purchase orders before year-end tax depreciation deadlines.
Impact
TCI EXPO 2025 in St. Louis reaffirmed its position as the preeminent commercial marketplace for the tree care sector, convening 6,400 certified arborists, utility foresters, and business owners alongside 255 premier equipment OEMs. Over USD 85 million in direct machinery sales, fleet commitments, and dealer floor orders were closed across the 3-day exhibition.
Audience quality
71% of registered attendees maintain direct purchasing or executive fleet authority. Attendee profiles comprise 54% tree care company owners/principals, 24% operations and safety directors, 14% municipal/utility forestry managers, and 8% specialized consulting arborists.
Exhibitor outcomes
89% of exhibiting OEMs reported exceeding their qualified equipment sales lead targets, yielding an 84% on-site advance booth rebooking rate for Fort Lauderdale 2026.
Intelligence
Directory updated 2026-09-15
275
Exhibitors
—
Categories
—
Countries
—
Pavilions
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
The North American tree care services industry represents over USD 38 billion in annual economic value, driven by aggressive utility right-of-way wildfire mitigation, municipal canopy preservation, and severe tropical weather resilience in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. As contractor labor shortages persist, mechanized tree removal solutions—including remote-control grapple saws, compact spider lifts, and automated wood chippers—have transitioned from luxury investments to operational imperatives for commercial arborists looking to safeguard crew lives and boost daily production.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Mechanization & Remote-Operated Grapple Saw Adoption
Rising operator insurance rates and crew hazard reduction are accelerating investment in knuckle-boom cranes mounted with wireless grapple saws, enabling zero-climber dismantling of dangerous hazardous trees.
What it changes: Dramatically lowers severe injury risk while cutting typical 4-hour tree take-downs down to 45 minutes with a 2-man crew.
SourceCommercial Fleet Electrification & Low-Noise Battery Forestry Tools
Municipal sound ordinances and corporate sustainability mandates are pushing commercial tree services to adopt 80V+ commercial battery chainsaws, quiet pole pruners, and hybrid tracked spider lifts.
What it changes: Enables quiet urban early-morning operations near residential zones, hospitals, and schools without exhaust emissions.
SourceANSI Z133 Safety Protocol Revisions & Digital Pre-Trip Telematics
Comprehensive updates to ANSI Z133 standards enforce rigorous daily equipment inspections, synthetic winch line retirement criteria, and certified aerial rescue readiness.
What it changes: Regulatory compliance is directly linked to commercial business insurance insurability and TCIA Accreditation standards.
SourcePlan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Primary hub airport; non-stop domestic routes from all major US hubs and international Caribbean/Latin American routes.
3.8 miles (6 km)
to venue
8-12 mins
by car
Miami International Airport
Major global gateway with non-stop European, South American, and transcontinental flights; easily connected via I-95 or Brightline train.
30 miles (48 km)
to venue
35-50 mins
by car
Palm Beach International Airport
Alternative regional hub connected directly via Brightline or Tri-Rail.
45 miles (72 km)
to venue
45-60 mins
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Official host hotel connected via marina promenade.
Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel
Prime 17th Street Causeway location.
Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport
Budget-friendly option with airport and venue shuttle.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Quickest and most convenient connection; dedicated ride-pickup curbs outside FLL baggage claim and at Convention Center Port Everglades portal.
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi
Scenic water transit bypassing roadway traffic; drops directly at the convention center dock.
Brightline High-Speed Rail
Luxury rail service connecting downtown Miami in 30 mins; 5-min taxi from Fort Lauderdale Brightline station to venue.
Weather
November in South Florida features warm, comfortable tropical weather with daily highs averaging 80°F (27°C) and evening lows around 68°F (20°C). Humidity is low and rainfall is minimal; lightweight breathable apparel is recommended.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
High-speed Wi-Fi provided throughout convention halls and meeting rooms. Strong 5G cellular coverage across all major US carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile).
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business Etiquette & Florida Convention Norms
TCI EXPO embraces a practical, professional tree care culture: clean branded company workwear, polo shirts, and comfortable walking shoes are standard on the trade show floor. Formal suits are rarely worn outside of executive board meetings. Tipping 18-20% is customary at Fort Lauderdale restaurants and bars.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: FLL
Book flights directly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) for a 10-minute commute to the venue. If flying international long-haul into Miami (MIA), use Brightline or an Uber ($55-$75) to Fort Lauderdale.
Book flightsESTA or US B-1 visa required for non-US travelers.
PartnerGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: From FLL Airport, take an official taxi or Uber/Lyft (~10 mins, $18-$25). From MIA Airport, take rideshare (~45 mins, $55-$75) or Metrorail to MiamiCentral and transfer to Brightline rail to Fort Lauderdale Station.
Hotel → venue: Hotels on 17th Street Causeway are within an easy 5-10 minute walk or complimentary event shuttle. Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi Stop 3 connects directly to the venue marina promenade.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate continuously across Broward County with dedicated pickup zones at the Convention Center Main Entrance on Eisenhower Blvd.
Public transit: Broward County Transit (BCT) Route 40 serves the convention center concourse; single bus fare is $2.00.
Parking: On-site 2,500-space Northport parking garage directly connected to the center via covered pedestrian skybridge; $20 flat daily rate.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Thursday, November 12
Opening day features maximum OEM executive availability, full equipment demonstration schedules in the Demo Dome, and prime opportunity to secure limited production build slots on new bucket trucks and chippers.
Confirm flight into FLL and reserve hotel accommodations along 17th Street Causeway.
Review classroom schedule on expo.tcia.org and pre-select ISA CEU education sessions.
Download the official TCI EXPO mobile planner app and bookmark priority equipment booths.
Print or save registration QR code confirmation email for fast-track lobby kiosk printing.
Check into hotel, collect trade show badge at early registration, and attend the Welcome Reception.
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi Intracoastal Cruise
Scenic & Leisure
Departs directly from venue marina (Stop 3)
World-famous 'Venice of America' tour cruising past mega-yacht marinas and waterfront mansions, with convenient hop-on access to Las Olas dining.
Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Expedition
Nature & Wildlife
25 miles (30 mins drive west)
Glide across the Florida Everglades on high-speed airboats, encountering native wetland ecosystems, giant alligators, and subtropical vegetation.
Historic Las Olas Boulevard Arts & Dining District
Dining & Entertainment
2.5 miles (8 mins drive)
Vibrant tree-lined boulevard featuring high-end steakhouses, open-air seafood cafes, microbreweries, and art galleries perfect for corporate client dinners.
G/W Grill & Patio at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Dockside Lounge & Bar
Boatyard Fort Lauderdale
Upscale Nautical Restaurant
Rooftop @ 1WLO
Cocktail Lounge
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 380–520 / m²
Raw space
USD 260–340 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Early-bird space contracts receive preferred priority booth lottery placement.
sourceBook with
Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
Trade association of 2,300+ commercial tree care firms and affiliated companies worldwide.
Host association
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Global authority on arboriculture science and administrator of the Certified Arborist credential.
CEU partner
Delta Air Lines
Global airline partner offering flight booking discounts for TCI EXPO delegates traveling into FLL and MIA.
Airline partner
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Premier Intracoastal hotel partner providing walking-distance accommodations for attendees.
Host hotel
Freeman
Exclusive freight handling, crane rigging, and stand equipment provider for Broward County Convention Center.
Logistics contractor
Recommended providers
Official US government portal for ESTA and B-1 business visa applications.
Official housing bureau securing guaranteed lowest group rates at marina hotels.
Official airline partner offering dedicated flight discount codes into FLL.
Exclusive on-site material handling, rigging, and heavy machinery offloading.
Official exhibitor liability insurance provider offering compliant $1M policies.
Official Greater Fort Lauderdale convention and visitors bureau guide.
Convention Data Services (CDS)
Official mobile attendee badge retrieval app with instant CRM integration.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Trust footer
2
References
2
Publishers
0
Date checked
Tree Care Industry Association
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