HIGHLAND PARK, IL — This July, Mariani Landscape welcomed 54 landscape architects, designers, builders, and leaders from across the country to its Highland Park Design Studio for the 2025 Design Summit—the event was created to connect, challenge, and inspire members of the Mariani Premier Group.
This was the second annual design summit for the Mariani Premier Group following the initial summit held in 2024 at the Bergoff Design Group offices in Phoenix, Arizona. Attendees came from fourteen different companies spanning a wide range of geographies and climates, bringing with them unique design perspectives and experiences. Over the course of three days, they engaged in immersive programming focused on collaboration, hands-on design, and professional growth.
The Summit opened with a welcome reception at the Design Studio, featuring remarks from Mariani Premier Group founder Frank Mariani, Mariani Landscape President Johannes Louwers, and Mariani Landscape Director of Design Colleen Barkley, who led the planning and programming for the event.
“Our goal with the Design Summit was to share ideas and creative practices that every member of this group can bring back to their teams,” said Colleen Barkley, Director of Design at Mariani Landscape and the chief architect of the event. “It is a great opportunity to come together as a larger team to blend our ideas, problem solving approaches and resources with the family of design teams.”
The second day kicked off with a collaborative design charrette. Attendees broke into teams and were asked to conceptualize designs for two completed projects they had not previously seen. After working through their ideas and presenting their concepts, the group had the rare opportunity to visit the actual built projects and reflect on how their interpretations aligned—or differed—from the final installations.
That evening, the group attended the Ravinia Festival for a night under the stars, where Beck performed alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
“This reminds us that we can lean on our peers across the Premier Group—ask questions, share ideas, and continually improve,” said Hannah Seaton of Ed Castro Landscape in Roswell, Georgia.
On the final day, participants spent the morning at the Chicago Botanic Garden, sketching and exploring the 385-acre grounds. For many, it was a return to a practice they hadn’t visited in a while: slowing down, observing, and drawing as a way to process design. The afternoon continued with breakout sessions focused on best practices and supplier presentations, followed by a closing dinner to end the Summit.
“Bringing together designers from all these different companies strengthens the Premier Group as a whole,” said Jeff Berghoff, founder of the Berghoff Design Group in Scottsdale, Arizona. “They’re going to return to their studios fired up—more passionate, more inspired. That energy leads to better work, stronger referrals, and ultimately, better projects.”
“It was overwhelming,” added Clayton Smith of Ed Castro Landscape, “but in the best possible way.”
For the designers and architects who attended—and the teams they’re bringing ideas back to—Design Summit 2025 delivered exactly what it set out to: real inspiration, real connection, and a renewed commitment to excellence.
About Mariani Premier Group:
For 65 years, Mariani Landscape has been a trusted market leader in the green industry. Now, the Mariani Premier Group is quickly becoming the world’s premier outdoor living company, creating and nurturing the outdoor spaces that bring families and communities closer together. Founded by green industry pioneer Frank Mariani and led by an experienced management team, the group is bringing together the finest landscaping companies in the country, providing them with the support and resources they need to reach new heights of success. With this national expansion, Mariani is transforming landscaping through the fusion of inspired creativity, advanced technology, and unparalleled service.
For more information, visit www.marianipremiergroup.com. Companies interested in partnering with Mariani can contact us at partner@marianipremiergroup.com.