EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ’ S MESSAGE
MARIA UNGARO
Connect , learn and grow
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As most of you know , the 68th annual GWA Conference & Expo will be in Atlanta , Sept . 16-19 . With insightful education delivered by the best in the green industry , tours of Atlanta and Athens ’ best public and private gardens and many opportunities to network , GWA Annual Conference and Expo is a unique opportunity to Connect , Learn and Grow .
Here are a few reasons you should attend :
1 . Connect : Make connections and network with your colleagues and peers – individuals who are as passionate about the garden industry as you . Whether this is your first show or 68th show , there are ample opportunities to network during learning sessions , garden tours , breaks and receptions .
In addition to networking with your peers , take advantage of the GWA Expo Hall to network with our sponsors and exhibitors . We have a great list of companies who will be joining us , and they are looking forward to meeting you .
2 . Learn : This year ’ s education schedule is jam-packed with insightful and dynamic sessions from leaders in the industry , focusing on horticulture , writing , technology , business , publishing and much more ! Who wouldn ’ t want to eavesdrop on their editor , or entice the next generation of gardener . You could even learn how to publish your own book !
GWA is honored to bring exceptional keynote speakers to you this year :
• Vince Dooley , former University of Georgia head football coach , who recently has gained recognition as one of the region ’ s finest gardeners .
• Michael A . Dirr , a legend in the horticultural world and retired professor at the University of Georgia and woody plants guru .
• Maria LaRosa , meteorologist and co-host Weekend Recharge , The Weather Channel .
We hope you will walk away from these keynotes with a renewed energy for the green industry and your work .
3 . Grow : Be inspired by the incredible gardens Georgia has to offer . This year ’ s tour line-up will feature a fantastic group of gardens , covering a wide array of techniques and trends , including public gardens , the Atlanta Botanical Garden , where 20 spectacular installations by Chihuly will be on display , Gibbs Garden and the Carter Center , as well as private gardens , such as the homes of The Home Depot co-founder , Arthur Blank , Vince Dooley , Michael Dirr , among many more . Consider staying an extra day for a special visit to Athens , Georgia , and the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia .
# GWA2016 is going to be an exciting four days in the green industry . I look forward to seeing you in Atlanta , and the chance to meet each of you . For registration and additional information about the event , please visit gardenwriters . org .
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the road , with heirloom roses on each level , making this a popular location for films as well as weddings .
The Quarry Garden path winds down a wooded hillside where more than 600 native plants grow . Rhododendrons and azaleas gardens , plus an Asian American Garden and the Smith Family Farm Gardens and its heirloom vegetable garden , are all on this museum site .
Apart from the gardens , the Atlanta History Center also is the home of the Kennan Library , which holds , among other collections , the Cherokee Garden Library . The library holds documents and archives from southern gardeners , magazines and newspapers that span the past 150 years . Original catalogues from early southern nurseries , authors and many other documents are available for research .
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY
This extraordinary library will be available for serious research to conference attendees on Friday morning , Sept . 16 , before the conference starts . A limit of 10 people will be admitted to the library , 10 a . m . to 1 p . m . and , if the research topic is provided prior to arrival , documents will be brought out of the archives and ready for researchers to browse . Search the archive catalog .
The library also has a collection of Civil War letters and documents , if there are members who would prefer to browse those , rather than the garden collections .
SPOUSE ACTIVITIES
Also new to the conference this year is a way to keep your spouse occupied while we play in the gardens . If your spouse is accompanying you and would like company to view the CNN center or play golf , we are creating a list , so that they can find each other . If your spouse is arriving with you and would like to get together with other spouses , send me an email with some thoughts as to what they are interested in doing , along with their contact information , and we will aim to get them together . Emails should go to ktcopsey @ aol . com .
Kate Copsey is head of the local organizing committee for the Atlanta Conference and Expo .
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