BALI National Landscape Conference Brings Industry Professionals
Members of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) came together recently for the National Landscape Conference, a key event in the UK landscaping calendar that focused on where the industry is heading next and how businesses can adapt.
Held in London at The Royal Society, the conference brought together contractors, designers, suppliers and industry specialists for a full day of talks and discussion around some of the biggest issues currently shaping the sector.
A clear focus on what’s changing in the industry
Across the day, one message came through strongly: landscaping is changing quickly, and businesses need to keep pace.
Topics such as climate resilience, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), labour shortages, and rising costs were all front and centre. Rather than being treated as separate challenges, speakers highlighted how closely linked they are—and how they’re already influencing the way projects are designed, delivered and maintained.
For many BALI members attending, the conference provided a useful snapshot of where policy, regulation and best practice are heading.
Key themes from the day
One of the strongest themes was the growing expectation for climate-resilient design. This is no longer being seen as an “add-on” but something that needs to be built into projects from the very beginning—from planting schemes through to soil and water management.
Biodiversity Net Gain was another major talking point, with discussion around how it is moving from a compliance requirement into a framework that can add long-term value to projects when integrated early.
The skills shortage also featured heavily. Many speakers and attendees acknowledged that attracting new talent into the industry remains a major challenge, with a need to improve training routes and make landscaping careers more visible and appealing.
There was also a clear focus on the financial pressures facing businesses, with conversations around pricing, supply chains and maintaining margins in a tougher economic environment.
Why members made the effort to attend
For BALI members, attending the conference wasn’t just about listening to talks—it was about understanding the direction the industry is heading and how to stay ahead of it.
The event gave attendees the chance to:
- Hear directly from industry experts and policymakers
- Compare experiences with other businesses facing similar challenges
- Pick up practical ideas that can be applied on live projects
- Build and strengthen professional networks across the sector
Many also noted that the informal conversations between sessions were just as valuable as the presentations themselves, offering a chance to share real-world experiences and solutions.
A shared direction of travel
While the challenges facing the industry are significant, the overall tone of the conference was constructive. There was a strong sense that the sector is actively evolving, and that collaboration between businesses, organisations and professionals will be key to navigating what comes next.
For BALI members, the conference served as a timely reminder that the industry is not standing still—and neither can those working within it.