On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA February-March 2016 | Page 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DATES&EVENTS KIRK R. BROWN Progress instead of resolutions It is a new year. I made no resolutions. I had no time. As of this date, I have no regrets. I have been busy celebrating all of the ways GWA is moving into a new age. We sport new looks on many fronts. We grow through new programs, new meeting formats and new ideas. Take this newsletter, for example. As editor, Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp has been working for months on the new layout and all of the new focus articles you will read. There is a chorus of new voices developing new themes across and throughout our diverse membership. GWA has adopted a new Strategic Plan with the help of Kellen, its new managing partner. In Baltimore, Maria Ungaro, our new Executive Director, and Deputy Director Ashley Sullivan actively engaged members, vendors and sponsors at MANTS. Joining with this dynamic managerial presence, we launched a new booth with multiple new handouts. The results of our experience were broadcast across many platforms with the help of our new Social Media Specialist, Caitlin Norton. A survey to test the effectiveness of our communication and to question industry perceptions went to all members. We announce New Routes to Horticulture as a one-day summit for horticultural professionals – with additional garden tours, network parties and special vendor opportunities – in Philadelphia on Aug. 6. Details at http://bit.ly/1Qe9sLh. There are plans in place to have at least one new regional meeting in each of our seven membership divisions. There will be a new networking opportunity near you in the future! Put the dates on your calendar and meet your regional leadership. Regional and National Directors met to discuss the importance of GWA connection at the grassroots level. The challenge is out there to know and grow this organization. The Board came together for this winter’s meeting at the Kellen offices in Atlanta. We toured gardens that will be part of this year’s Conference and Expo, Sept. 16 through 19. There are tremendous new educational themes developing with this year’s speaker lineup! GWA has new sponsorship programs and an entirely new allied member partnership plan (http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=meetings/ sponsorship_ops.html.) For up-to-date items, contact and registration information, please visit gardenwriters.org MARCH 5-13, Philadelphia Flower Show, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia (theflowershow.com) Press Preview: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., March 3 Connect Meeting: 6 to 9 p.m., March 5, Philadelphia Downtown Marriott, 1201 Market St. ••• MARCH 6-8, Garden Bloggers Conference, Design Bloggers Conference and Home Design Digital Marketing Summit (March 8-9), Grand Hyatt (Buckhead) Atlanta, ([email protected]) ••• MARCH 11-20, Canada Blooms, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto (canadablooms.com) Regional Meeting: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 12, GWA @ Canada Blooms, Toronto ••• MARCH 12-20, Chicago Flower & Garden Show, Navy Pier Regional Meeting: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., March 12, GWA @ Chicago Flower & Garden Show ••• MARCH 12-20, Indiana Flower & Patio Show, Expo Hall and West Pavilion, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis (hsishows.com/wp/indianaflowerandpatioshow) ••• MARCH 16-20, San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, San Mateo Event Center, San Mateo (sfgardenshow.com) ••• APRIL 13-17, Cincinnati Flower Show, Cincinnati Connect Meeting: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 13, Cincinnati Flower Show/Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Tour ••• AUGUST 6, NextGen Summit: New Routes to Horticulture 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (http://bit.ly/1Qe9sLh) ••• SEPTEMBER 16-19, GWA Annual Con