PBE 2027 Updates and Announcements.

If you haven't heard the BonsaiWire podcast from August 14th, 2026 here is a summary of the significant announcements by the PBE board.

The 2027 PBE will have a New venue and expanded capacity

PBE moves to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton on February 6–7, 2027. Setup on February 4-5th. The venue offers level floors, good lighting, truck access, ample parking, wider aisles, and enough space to separate the exhibition from the vendor marketplace while keeping vendors nearby. Current plans use two buildings for the exhibit, vendors, programs, and Friday Gala. Official venue and schedule

A larger bonsai exhibition

The board is targeting approximately 80–85 bonsai displays, roughly ten more than prior Expos, provided submissions meet the quality standard. The larger building also makes room for special and nontraditional displays without impacting the primary exhibit.

A major new suiseki exhibition 

Sam Edge and Janet Roth are organizing an educational, high-quality stone exhibit alongside the bonsai. The current goal is 20–30 stones in a mixture of larger tokonoma-style and smaller displays, illustrating different stone types and approaches to suiseki. Submission procedures, timing, and the international jury are to be announced.

The Expo is now a winter show 

Moving from autumn to February is intended to showcase deciduous trees consistently in winter silhouette, while also creating opportunities for flowering and early-spring material. The change should make structural evaluation more consistent and permit exhibitors to repot closer to the event, leaving less time for problems with accepted trees.

Tree submissions and the Jury 

Submissions are open October 15–November 15, 2026. The selection jury is Bjorn Bjorholm, Ryan Neil, Andrew Robson, Suthin Sukosolvisit, and Peter Tea. For submissions: high-quality photographs are essential, and trees should appear close to exhibition-ready. Deciduous entries need a leafless image even if the current submission photo is in leaf. Official submission requirements

Important distinction between jury and judging

The five-person jury selects which trees enter the exhibition. Once accepted, exhibitors collectively determine the award winners. The exhibitor judging system is intended to identify excellence through consensus, not produce a perfect ranking of every tree. All exhibitors are encouraged to participate, not required.  Participating exhibitors must score every display in the exhibit for scores to count. 

Revised awards and judging system

Best in Show remains, while what were previously considered 'category winners' will receive an “Expo Award.” in 2027. Categories can be adjusted or subdivided according to the number and types of accepted trees. Phone-based QR code scoring is the plan. Current judging instructions

New talent competition 

A multi-round competition is planned to test a wider range of bonsai skills than a conventional one-tree styling contest. The format calls for applications, 16 initial participants, paired down to a 6-person final group for the second half of the competition, approximately eight hours of work, and professional judging. It is intended to be both a spectator event and an educational resource. The detailed rules and final details will be shared soon.  Sponsorship overview

Professional critiques for every exhibited tree 

The board’s goal is to record two professional critiques of every display and publish the videos free online as a community resource. Critiques will provide professional feedback on how their tree and exhibit could be improved.

A full weekend experience 

The board encourages visitors to attend the entire weekend. Friday includes judging and the evening preview and awards ceremony; Saturday features the talent competition and first access to vendors; Sunday emphasizes programs while also allowing for multi-day study of the exhibits. The Friday reception returns as a quieter opportunity to see the trees and mingle with exhibitors before the public opening.

More volunteers and coordinators

The expanded event may require roughly 150 volunteers and about 15 coordinator-level roles. The greatest immediate need is for people willing to help before the show, not only during it. The board expects volunteers to continue being able to exchange service for event access, Volunteer coordinators and volunteer signups are still to-come.

Vendor marketplace 

Vendor space has already effectively sold out - if you are a potential vendor please contact us regarding space or to add your name to the waiting list. Many returning vendors are hoping to take larger footprints, private collectors will offer materials, Japanese potters are expected, and several professionals are reserving special trees and merchandise for exclusive sale at the Expo. The current vendor page provides more details and the waiting list. Vendor information

2027 Commemorative book 

The third book will be larger and will include the suiseki exhibition, possible special displays, volunteers, and documentary photography intended to convey what attending the event felt like—not merely provide formal tree portraits. Pre-sale of the book is available now.

Open geographic participation and agricultural rules

Submissions are welcome from throughout the United States, not only the West Coast. Trees entering California require phytosanitary documentation, and some species or origins face additional restrictions. The current entry page contains the detailed list. Agricultural and exhibitor requirements

Display preparation guidance

Applicants should submit the tree they realistically intend to show rather than asking the jury to imagine future styling. Nontraditional or unusually large displays require a concept and early coordination. The organizers generally plan around six- and eight-foot spaces, and trees over roughly 48 inches in any dimension should be discussed in advance.