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Explore the history of the student-led conference.

LABash History

For any questions, please reach out to →team@labash.org.

Multi-Regional

​The birth of LABash traces back to a group of visionary landscape architecture students from the University of Guelph. Inspired by their shared passion for the field and desire to develop deeper connections and collaboration, they embarked on a journey across various campuses including University of New York (Syracuse), Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, University of North Carolina, Ball State, University of Michigan and Michigan State.

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The intentions of this road trip was to meet others from different backgrounds, sparking deep conversations about the future of landscape architecture and the potential to further unite each university student body as well as professionals and their partnering companies. 


As they travelled across the border, their conversations with students, staff and professionals alike evolved into a concrete plan; create a conference that will serve as a dynamic platform for learning, networking and inspiring all. The vision was to hold a gathering where the latest innovations could be showcased and taught, where students from across the continent can engage directly with leading professionals and other students to form relations and where new ideas can be cultivated in a collaborative environment. 


The event was immediately successful as participants from across the countries attended, setting a precedent for the future. The enthusiasm and dedication from founding students James Macgregor , Ted Baker  and Al Regehr had laid the groundwork for what became an annual tradition with each conference being hosted by one of now 28 potential universities, further developing a strong sense of community and advancing the field.

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- Sharya Bhajan and Faline Darling, LABash 2025 Co-Directors

LABash Conferences by Year

 

1970 – University of Guelph

1971 – Louisiana State University

1972 – University of Wisconsin

1973 – West Virginia University

1974 – Cal Poly University, Pomona 

1975 – Michigan State University

1976 – University of Georgia

1977 – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1978 – University of Guelph

1979 – Kansas State University

1980 – University of Florida

1981 – University of Arizona

1982 – Pennsylvania State University

1983 – Purdue University

1984 – Iowa State University

1985 – University of Guelph

1986 – University of Georgia

1987 – University of Montreal

1988 – The Ohio State University

1989 – Louisiana State University

1990 – Pennsylvania State University

1991 – Kansas State University

1992 – University of Texas

1993 – Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo

1994 – University of Illinois

1995 – University of Guelph

1996 – Ball State University

1997 – University of Arkansas

1998 – West Virginia University

1999 – University of Kentucky

2000 – University of Wisconsin-Madison

2001 – University of Montreal

2002 – Temple University

2003 – North Carolina State University

2004 – University of Florida

2005 – The Ohio State University

2006 – University of Maryland

2007 – Louisiana State University

2008 – University of Guelph

2009 – Pennsylvania State University

2010 – University of Nevada, Las Vegas

2011 – Purdue University

2012 – Florida International University

2013 – University of Georgia

2014 – University of Wisconsin - Madison

2015 – Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo

2016 – The Ohio State University

2017 – University of Maryland

2018 – Pennsylvania State University

2019 – University of Georgia

2020 – Cornell University [cancelled]

2021 – Cornell University [virtual]

2022 – Louisiana State University

2023 – Kansas State University 

2024 – University of California, Davis

2025 – University of Guelph

​​2026 - The Ohio State University

LABash Conferences by Program​

Ball State University: 1996

Cal Poly University, Pomona: 1974
Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo: 1993, 2015
Cornell University: 2021 
Florida International University: 2012
Iowa State University: 1984
Kansas State University: 1979, 1991, 2023
Louisiana State University: 1971, 1989, 2007, 2022
Michigan State University: 1975
North Carolina State University: 2003
Ohio State University: 1988, 2005, 2016, 2026 
Pennsylvania State University: 1982, 1990, 2009, 2018
Purdue University: 1983, 2011
Temple University: 2002
University of Arizona: 1981
University of Arkansas: 1997

University of California, Davis: 2024
University of Florida: 1980, 2004
University of Georgia: 1976, 1986, 2013, 2019
University of Guelph: 1970, 1978, 1985, 1995, 2008, 2025
University of Illinois: 1994
University of Kentucky: 1999
University of Maryland: 2006, 2017
University of Montreal: 1987, 2001
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: 2010
University of Texas: 1992
University of Wisconsin-Madison: 1972, 2000, 2014
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: 1977

West Virginia University: 1973, 1998
 

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