Experience the Return of ArborSPORTS™ and Arbor AWARDS™ at ArborEXPO™ 2026

ArborEXPO^™ 2026 (March 26–27 at The Big E) is bringing back two of last year’s most talked-about highlights: ArborSPORTS^™ and Arbor AWARDS^™. Whether you are competing, cheering on your crew, or looking to celebrate industry excellence, these events promise excitement, inspiration, and opportunities you will not want to miss.

ArborSPORTS™: Compete, Cheer, Learn

Last year’s debut of ArborSPORTS^™ set the expo floor buzzing with action, skill, and adrenaline. Teams faced off in timed events that tested chainsaw handling, rigging techniques, and communication under pressure — all with safety as the top priority.

Ed Carpenter of North American Training Solutions (NATS) summed up the bigger picture:

“The ultimate goal of ArborSPORTS^™ is … to look at us as a profession, to look at us as skilled trade workers. … Safety is the biggest skill.”

Winning team members from Clear Choice Tree Service emphasized how preparation and teamwork make the difference:

• “Having the same focus and the same game plan … goes along with the safety. Everybody knows what everybody’s doing,” said Chris Cleary.
• Adam Hilton added, “It comes down to more efficiency than speed … being smooth and efficient with proper techniques will definitely get newcomers up to par.”

In 2026, ArborSPORTS^™ returns with even more intensity and visibility. Competitors will battle it out for $1,000 in cash from ArborTIMES^™ plus industry merchandise, while attendees can watch the action up close, cheer for their favorite crews, and take home new ideas for improving their own job-site efficiency.

Whether you are stepping into the arena or standing at the barricade, ArborSPORTS^™ is a chance to learn, connect, and celebrate the professionalism of arboriculture.

Arbor AWARDS™: Celebrate Excellence

While ArborSPORTS^™ delivers action on the floor, the Arbor AWARDS^™ ceremony offers inspiration and recognition for those who set new standards in arboriculture.

In 2025, the inaugural awards honored outstanding safety initiatives, complex projects, innovative tools, and lifetime contributions to the industry. Categories highlighted everything from bilingual safety training forms to challenging helicopter removals, proving that innovation and leadership come in many forms.

ArborEXPO^™ founder Sachin Mohan explained the purpose:

“The Arbor AWARDS^™ are about more than just recognition — they are about setting a higher standard, encouraging innovation, and showing what is possible when safety, service, and leadership are prioritized.”

For attendees, the awards ceremony is an opportunity to see who is shaping the industry’s future — and to be inspired by the stories behind their work. For participants, winning an Arbor AWARD is not just a title. It is a mark of credibility that strengthens recruiting, client trust, and professional reputation.

Applications and nominations for Arbor AWARDS^™ 2026 are now open at arborawards.org.

Be There in 2026

If you are attending ArborEXPO^™, make time to witness the energy of ArborSPORTS^™ and the inspiration of Arbor AWARDS^™. If you are competing, apply now and prepare to bring your best. If you are leading a crew or company, consider nominating your work for an award that could spotlight your team’s excellence.

ArborEXPO^™ 2026 is not just about equipment and education — it is about celebrating who we are as arborists and where the industry is headed. And that celebration takes center stage at ArborSPORTS^™ and Arbor AWARDS^™.