May 17, 2017
American Public Garden Association Conference 2017
Hamilton and Niagara, June 19-23, 2017
The American Public Gardens Association announces its 77th annual conference in Hamilton, Ontario beginning Monday, June 19 and ending Friday, June 23, 2017. While many of the 750+ professionals expected are from public gardens across the United States, those from every continent will gather for this highly-anticipated, five-day conference.
This year’s event boasts fifteen host gardens and partnering organizations. From gardens renowned for their sustainability and conservation practices, to showcasing the power and beauty of Niagara Falls, these host gardens reflect a region famous for its heritage, hospitality, and diverse culture. Also included in the 2017 festivities, is the 150th anniversary of Canada. To honor this milestone, the 2017 conference will hold celebrations at both the Royal Botanical Gardens as well as on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Commission.
This year’s event boasts fifteen host gardens and partnering organizations. From gardens renowned for their sustainability and conservation practices, to showcasing the power and beauty of Niagara Falls, these host gardens reflect a region famous for its heritage, hospitality, and diverse culture. Also included in the 2017 festivities, is the 150th anniversary of Canada. To honor this milestone, the 2017 conference will hold celebrations at both the Royal Botanical Gardens as well as on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Commission.
The 2017 Keynote Speaker, and beloved Canadian icon, is Colonel Chris Hadfield, a highly respected individual with an impressive scope of experience. Colonel Hadfield, is a heavily decorated astronaut, engineer, and pilot. Throughout his 21-years as an astronaut, three spaceflights, and 2,600 orbits of Earth, Colonel Hadfield has become a worldwide sensation, harnessing the power of social media to make outer space accessible to millions and infusing a sense of wonder into our collective consciousness not felt since humanity first walked on the Moon. Called “the most famous astronaut since Neil Armstrong,” Colonel Hadfield continues to bring the marvels of science and space travel to everyone he encounters.
The annual conference is the culmination of best practices around the globe for public garden professionals representing arboreta, botanical gardens, community and display gardens, conservatories, historic landscapes, nature centers, research, and educational institutions from North America and beyond. At the conference, botanical educators, executive garden leaders, designers and architects, horticulturalists, marketers, and scientists will come together to learn and network within their professional area of expertise as well as discuss other valuable topics regarding public garden management. The industry will also recognize its best with a series of awards for outstanding individuals, programs, and the singular institution worthy of the Garden Excellence Award.
The 2017 agenda is rich with informative sessions, relevant workshops, unique local tours, and once-in-a-lifetime special events. To see a full schedule of speakers and conference activities, visit the 2017 Annual Conference website: 2017.publicgardens.org.
The 2017 Annual Conference is generously supported by a wide-array of companies and organizations who either are or serve public gardens and the whole of the horticulture industry. You can find a full list of sponsors on the conference website at 2017.publicgardens.org/sponsors.
The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. With over 75 years of commitment to increasing cooperation and awareness among gardens, the Association has built a membership of nearly 600 institutions located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and 24 other countries. Its members include, but are not limited to, botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities. The American Public Gardens Association’s mission is to serve public gardens and advance them as leaders, advocates, and innovators. For more information, visit www.publicgardens.org.
The annual conference is the culmination of best practices around the globe for public garden professionals representing arboreta, botanical gardens, community and display gardens, conservatories, historic landscapes, nature centers, research, and educational institutions from North America and beyond. At the conference, botanical educators, executive garden leaders, designers and architects, horticulturalists, marketers, and scientists will come together to learn and network within their professional area of expertise as well as discuss other valuable topics regarding public garden management. The industry will also recognize its best with a series of awards for outstanding individuals, programs, and the singular institution worthy of the Garden Excellence Award.
The 2017 agenda is rich with informative sessions, relevant workshops, unique local tours, and once-in-a-lifetime special events. To see a full schedule of speakers and conference activities, visit the 2017 Annual Conference website: 2017.publicgardens.org.
The 2017 Annual Conference is generously supported by a wide-array of companies and organizations who either are or serve public gardens and the whole of the horticulture industry. You can find a full list of sponsors on the conference website at 2017.publicgardens.org/sponsors.
The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. With over 75 years of commitment to increasing cooperation and awareness among gardens, the Association has built a membership of nearly 600 institutions located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and 24 other countries. Its members include, but are not limited to, botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities. The American Public Gardens Association’s mission is to serve public gardens and advance them as leaders, advocates, and innovators. For more information, visit www.publicgardens.org.