Annual Meeting - Program Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 23
8:00 a.m. Trade Show Move-in at Raleigh Convention Center
11:00 a.m. Conference Registration Opens
1:30 p.m. Regional Meetings
Join your regional and national directors and other regional members to discuss current GWA events and to find out what is happening in your region.
2:30 p.m. First-Timer & Mentor Reception
(1st Time Meeting Attendees Only)
The GWA Annual Symposium is an extremely busy event and having a mentor can be very helpful if this is your 1st time attending. Come meet some long-time GWA symposia attendees who can give you pointers on having a successful meeting experience!
3:30 p.m. Garden Products Information Exhibit Opens
With over 100 booths, the 2009 Garden Products Information Exhibit will be the perfect opportunity to learn about new products and to network with new and old friends. Also, stop by the Garden Writers Association Foundation booth to learn more about the spectacular prize drawings.
6:00 p.m. Reception in Exhibit Hall
The exhibit reception will offer hors d’oeuvres and a wine and beer bar.
7:30 p.m. Exhibit Closes; Dinner on your own
Thursday, Sept. 24
7:00 a.m. Breakfast @ Convention Center
Birding and Gardening: A Paradise in the Making
How do those who garden, create a paradise for birds? An increasingly popular part of these havens encompass the elements of watching, housing, and feeding our fine, feathered friends. Hear from John C. Robinson, chief ornithologist at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, how to strengthen the link between birders and gardeners. Beyond this tie, learn how to encourage birding in any home experience – urban, suburban or rural.
Birding and gardening is truly a match made in backyards….. anyone has the opportunity to participate in birding and bird feeding. This can be done in any home environment, where gardening is practiced be it balcony, stoop, patio or lawn.
Chief Ornithologist at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, John C. Robinson helps to develop bird food products used by millions of back yard enthusiasts throughout North America. The author of six books, his most recent title is Birding for Everyone, an introduction for inner city youth and young adults to nature through birding.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Keynote Presentation, Dr. Lowell B. Catlett
The Greening of America
From “green” roofs to “green” cars, America is undergoing a transformation unlike any in history. Some call the movement “green” others “sustainable”, but it clearly is impacting every industry from energy to food. Urban chickens, victory gardens and dog parks–all once passé–now are mainstream. What are the drivers of this change? How can businesses and organizations prepare for, and profit from, this revolution? Come learn about the “green” movement from one of the experts! Dr. Lowell Catlett is a Regent’s Professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and is Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Ornamental Edibles in Containers
Designing containers since the 1970s, Rita Randolph combines plants in a unique way, with the emphasis on “Foliage FIRST”. From tabletop pots to large commercial installations, plants flow seamlessly together. Herbs and vegetables of all kinds are crucial to fulfill the complete desires of gardeners. Ornamental Edibles in containers can be gorgeous and entertaining. Garden designs, soil mixes, fertilization and pest control will be discussed. Presenter: Rita Randolph, Randolph’s Greenhouses.
Working the Web, Part I
Garden communications are shifting away from traditional print to electronic media. To remain marketable, we need to expand into new territory. In Part I of “Working the Web” Betty Mackey will deal with the wild, wild world of digital publishing. Kate Copsey will follow with a look into creating your own videos. Presenters: Betty Mackey, B.B. Mackey Books and Kate Copsey, Freelance Writer.
Conducting the Perfect Interview
Interviewing is an essential skill for all nonfiction writers; yet, many professionals feel uncomfortable cold-calling professionals and others. In this session, Donald Vaughan will draw on more than 30 years of professional experience and hundreds of interviews to show you how to find the best sources for your articles. Learn how to conduct thorough, thoughtful, professional interviews, whether in person or over the phone. Presenter: Donald Vaughan, Freelance Writer.
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
The Seasonal Useful and Edible Garden
How do you create a functional working garden but still make it beautiful? This presentation borrows some design ideas from the French on creating the potager–a kitchen garden with vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs. We will look at creating a useful garden in all seasons and touch on ways to use flowers to attract beneficial insects. Presenter: Jennifer Bartley, American Potager.
Working the Web, Part II
The next generation of gardeners live in a world of social networks and messaging services. Part II of “Working the Web” will start with Glen Seibert providing his views on how to use social networks to advance your business. Ann McCormick will follow with a discussion of texting, twitter, and other short-message services. Presenters: Glen Seibert, GreenManProjects and Ann McCormick, Herb 'n Cowgirl.
Questions for the Assigning Editor
This practical panel will bring together a variety of assigning editors to amplify a checklist of questions writers should ask before they begin researching and writing their piece. Moderated by veteran newspaper, magazine and book writer Marty Wingate, the panel includes Eric Liskey, Deputy Garden and Outdoor Living editor, Better Homes & Gardens; Patty Craft, Managing Editor, Horticulture; and Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Editor, Indiana Living Green magazine and Garden Editor, Angie's List. Bring your questions for a lively Q&A.
11:00 a.m. Final Exhibition Period
Don’t miss the final exhibition period. The exhibit will open with a lunch for you to enjoy while you continue to network and learn about new and exciting products.
3:15 p.m. Exhibit Ends
3:45 p.m. Duke Story Tour and Dinner- Duke Gardens, Durham
Gracing the campus of Duke University is the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, often spoken of as the “Crown Jewel of Duke University.” Recognized as one of the premier public gardens in the United States and renowned both for landscape design and the quality of horticulture, this 55-acre garden attracts more than 300,000 visitors from all over the world each year. Within the gardens are the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, the photogenic Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, and the splendid formal terraces, the site of hundreds of weddings (and even more proposals) on campus.
8:00 p.m. Buses Depart for Marriott City Center.
Friday, Sept. 25
7:00 a.m. Story Tour- Plant Delights, North Carolina Farmers Market and Breakfast
Who hasn’t heard of plantsman Tony Avent and his perennial mail order Plant Delights Nursery? What most people don’t realize is that there is an immense collection of rare and unusual plants within six acres of botanical display gardens that surround Tony’s greenhouses and home. We will have this great garden to ourselves for an early morning photo shoot and breakfast, and Tony has arranged to have his staff on hand for those of you who simply must purchase plants to take home.
Just down the road from Plant Delights is an outstanding private garden featured in The New York Times; the Garden of John Dilley and Willie Pilkington. Begun at this location in 1995, the just-over-an-acre garden is a dream landscape of unusual specimens intensively planted within a small urban garden setting, that still feels other-worldly.
The Raleigh Farmers Market was such a hit during a GWA Southeast Regional Meeting several years ago that it was repeatedly requested as a destination for our national symposium. A unique site with local food, cut flowers and garden plant vendors, this active market is a collage of color, smells, tastes and another opportunity to "buy local" while you are visiting.
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch at Convention Center
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
A Rose by Any Other Name… Correct Plant Nomenclature
Correct plant nomenclature is essential for any serious garden writer. Getting the name "right" is difficult and confusing as plant taxonomists argue back and forth. Learn about resources to help thread your way through this battlefield as well as resources for dealing with trademarks and proprietary names in this quickly evolving area of plant nomenclature. Presenter: Mark Weathington, Assistant Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum.
Using GPS in the Gardening World
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is commonly used for navigation purposes. GPS can also be used to keep plant records and serve as a tool for prioritizing plant maintenance. Learn how GPS can be used for botanical gardens, parks, and other green space areas. Presenter: Steve Dobbs, UNIV of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
Building Better Garden Photographs
Join professional garden photographer Rob Cardillo as he explores and demonstrates how he crafts dramatic garden vistas and inspired floral portraits. Using before and after examples of his own work, Rob will unpack his creative toolbox to illustrate how great garden images are found, designed and translated through the lens. Whether you're a point-and-shoot beginner or a megapixel maniac, you'll walk away with a healthy handful of hints, tips and fresh ideas. Presenter: Rob Cardillo, Rob Cardillo Photography.
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Garden Myths: Please Don’t Propagate
As garden communicators, we are all aware of the way that horticultural information is borrowed, repeated, restated, and reworked. Connect with your inner skeptic and learn about some garden myths that are not backed by science. Presenter: Scott Aker, U.S. National Arboretum.
Online Marketing: Create Value or Die:
How to exist online so people can find you (And Pay You!) for your work.
Whether you are a freelance writer or a landscape designer, online marketing should be an essential part of your business plan. A website or blog is no longer a business luxury. It is an essential tool for communicating with your customers. In this session you'll discover how to make your online presence stand out from the rest, how to acquire "return visitors" rather than just "surfers" and how to convert visitors into customers. Learn how creating value for your subscribers can increase your visibility, credibility, sales and revenues! Presenter: Andrew Palmer, Plants Nouveau/Treadwell Palmer International.
Secrets of a Book Publicist: Three Successful Marketing Campaigns
What does it take to get a garden book on the bestseller list—or to generate the steady backlist sales, year after year, that build a garden writer’s career? What kind of resources do publishers commit to publicizing garden titles? What can you, as an author, do to market your own books and support the efforts of your publicist? Publicists from three top garden publishers including Storey Publishing, Timber Press and Algonquin will present detailed case studies from their own successful marketing campaigns. Find out how traditional marketing strategies like press releases, book tours, and radio interviews work alongside 21st century tools like social networking, ‘viral’ YouTube videos, and blogging. Moderator: Amy Stewart, Freelance Writer. Panelists: Olivia Dunn, Timber Press, Amy Greeman, Storey Publishing, and Michael Taeckens, Algonquin Books.
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Coffee Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Cut Flower Varieties for the Home Garden
Each year the Association of Cut Flower Growers tests the latest new annual, perennial and woody cut flower varieties at more than 30 commercial farms around the U.S. and Canada. Learn which ones not only make great cut flowers but also wonderful plants for the backyard garden. Presenter: John Dole, North Carolina State University.
Social Media Websites and Gardening
Websites that combine forums, blogs and other content-based features are creating a phenomenon known as social media. With the right mix of content and structure, these websites develop into online global communities of individuals with a shared interest. As more gardeners become computer-literate, they are turning to these online communities for advice and support, as well as to share what they know with others in forums and blogs. Presenter: Terry Lea, Dave’s Garden.
Gardening with a Generation Y…
With all the uproar, discussion and seeming turmoil around the issue of Generation X and Y gardeners, some might wonder what the future holds for horticulture. Confounding the issue is a general lack of demographic data and perceptions of young or beginning gardeners. So, why not talk with a Generation Y? This lecture will explore historical trends, share insights from Gen Y horticulture majors and open a discussion about the needs, wants, and interests of potential gardeners ages 21-36. Presenter: Kelly Norris, Rainbow Iris Farm/Gardens by Kelly Productions.
5:00 p.m. JC Raulston Arboretum Tour & Dinner.
North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, is the home of the celebrated eight-acre JC Raulston Arboretum, begun in 1976 by the late Dr. Raulston, who was affectionately known as simply “JC” to his students and friends. Raulston collected and trialed plants from all over the world in this outdoor classroom which houses the most diverse collection of cold-hardy, temperate-zone plants in the southeastern United States. The plant collections are interspersed throughout themed gardens such as the white garden, a rooftop garden, the 300-foot-long by 18-foot-deep perennial border, lath house, drought-tolerant screen garden and Japanese garden, just to name a few.
8:00 p.m. Buses Depart for Marriott City Center.
Saturday, Sept. 26
6:45 a.m. Breakfast & GWA Annual Business Meeting
Join us for a sponsored breakfast at the convention center and the GWA business meeting. Hear the annual report from the GWA Board of Directors, GWA committees and the GWA Foundation.
8:15 a.m. Story Tours – Montrose Gardens, Hillsborough; S.E.E.D.S., Durham; and North Carolina Botanical Gardens, Chapel Hill and Lunch
Because of her intimately written garden books, Nancy Goodwin is a recognizable name to garden writers, and visiting her breathtaking 61-acre Montrose Garden will feel strangely familiar. Now a Garden Conservancy property, this historic garden was started in the middle of the 19th century by Governor William Alexander Graham and his wife, Susan Washington Graham. Nancy and Crawford Goodwin purchased the property in 1977, creating an achingly gorgeous garden and the former Montrose Nursery (closed since 1993), a mail-order nursery specializing in hardy cyclamen and other unusual perennials. Nancy will have her books and some extremely tempting plants available for purchase.
S.E.E.D.S. (South Eastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces, Inc.) in Durham is a non-profit community garden whose goal is to teach people to care for the earth, themselves and each other through a variety of garden-based programs. The multi-use demonstration garden includes community gardening plots, an outdoor classroom, a greenhouse, environmental education exhibits and a display of ornamental and edible plants offering opportunities for neighboring residents to enjoy this urban sanctuary.
Located halfway between Durham and Chapel Hill is an acclaimed display garden complete with pathways, colonnade, fountain, gazebo, garden shops, and over 2,000 glorious rose bushes in all of their fall splendor. This is the home of Witherspoon Rose Culture, a family owned and operated business that has been selling and maintaining roses for over 58 years. We will enjoy the Witherspoon gardens during our brief lunchtime stop on Saturday. Be sure to visit their unique trial section showcasing new cultivars from many leading hybridizers.
The official collection of North Carolina native plants is housed in the North Carolina Botanical Garden, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A leader in native plant conservation and education in the southeastern United States for more than 30 years, the NCBG has a new LEED-certified education center nestled into collections that include the native plants of the shore, piedmont and mountains; herb gardens; the horticultural therapy garden; a garden of flowering plant families; and, a collection of native southeastern carnivorous plants that will be spectacular in the fall.
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Rain Gardening in the Home Landscape
Contemporary gardeners have a new water issue to consider: pollution. Runoff (rainfall) flows into our streets, storm sewers, and, too often, into our waterways. A rain garden is designed to capture this runoff, store that water to nurture its plants, and cleanse runoff, thus removing the pollutants it carries with it. Rain garden design, construction, plant selection, and problem solving will all be addressed in this presentation. Presenters: Helen Kraus and Anne Spafford, Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University.
Marketing Through Modern Media
Adding new technology to help educate the gardening public is just another way we are expanding the possible ways to connect with our customers. This session will entail what we have learned and where we think this may lead for the future. Presenter: Jay Hutchins, Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.
The Evolving American Landscape: A vision for the future
Today's potential new gardeners have a very different view of the hobby. The demographics of our new and potential readership are rapidly changing. Learn about who they are and what they think (and want to read) about gardening, and how this differs from previous generations. Presenter: Jeff Gibson, Ball Horticultural Company.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Why Good Plants Go Bad: 20 Questions of Plant Problem Diagnosis
Good plants go bad for a variety of reasons, from infectious diseases and pest attack, to environmental and cultural problems such as frost injury and herbicide injury. The process of determining the cause of the problem is a first-order horticultural skill, essential to proper plant health management recommendations and treatment. This talk will focus on 20 questions that lead to improved diagnostic skills for gardeners and plant lovers. Presenter: James Chatfield, The Ohio State University Extension.
Designing in Elizabeth Lawrence’s Footsteps
This lecture will examine some of the design principles embodied in the writings of Elizabeth Lawrence. She was the first woman to graduate from the NC State College School of Design with a degree in Landscape Architecture and highly regarded as one of the world's best garden writers in the English Language. This session will familiarize you with Elizabeth's work in the gardening world as a writer and designer in the gardening worl. Presenter: Edith R. Eddleman, Edith R. Eddleman, Garden Design.
Garden Writers in the Information Age
Many garden writers are developing into interpreters of the growing flood of information from the Internet. This session explores several ways to make productive uses of these new roles, provides a short list of selected online resources and invites discussion of effective Internet search techniques. Presenter: Thomas Karwin, Monterey Bay Master Gardeners.
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Coffee Break
4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Eight Essential Elements of a Conservation Landscape
Conservation landscaping uses ecological principles to create healthy, beautiful landscapes that benefit residents and a region's biodiversity. The essential elements cover design, plant choices, wildlife, soils, air, water and sustainability in the garden. National programs such as the Sustainable Sites Initiative include these elements. Presenter: Sylvan Kafuman, Consultant.
The Gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's death. Most famous for his architecture, few people realize he was a brilliant landscaper. Join Derek Fell in an exploration of the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright. Learn about his landscaping philosophy with emphasis on his first home and studio in Illinois, his summer home in Wisconsin and his winter home in Arizona. Other properties will also be explored. Presenter: Derek Fell, Writer and Photographer.
Breaking the Rules- Creating Natural Landscapes in the Real World
Observing how plants develop in nature can lead us to new gardening techniques, many of which are diametrically opposed to traditional horticultural practices. From choosing, arranging and spacing plants, to the simple act of weeding, Larry Weaner will show how alternative approaches can yield more easily maintained gardens that express the rich beauty of our native landscapes. Presenter: Larry Weaner, Larry Weaner Landscape Design.
6:00 p.m. GWA Awards Reception and Banquet at Raleigh Convention Center
The Raleigh Convention Center is a perfect setting for the 2009 Garden Media Awards presentation and Honors Ceremony. Join us for an evening of networking, friendship, and celebration as we congratulate and honor our colleagues.
9:00 p.m. Beach Party
Come sing and dance at the final get-together, a beach-themed party.
Sunday, Sept. 27
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. GWA Social Media Workshop ($95)
With social media, garden writers have the opportunity to bring their work to life in ways never before possible. Social media connects the reader and the author in a real-time dialogue, building connectivity and deepening commitment to the author’s brand. Writers of all kinds are successfully using various platforms to promote book sales, publish articles, build readership and engage in market research. This course is designed to teach you about basic social media sites, online marketing strategy and search engine optimization.
In order to join in this session, you will need to establish a website or blog prior to attendance. Jean Ann will assign a bit of advance homework with the necessary directions to complete the assignment. Although it is not mandatory, bringing your laptop will give you an opportunity to tinker around with the various sites that will be discussed. You can leave this session with enough knowledge to implement basic strategy, decide you want to learn more or know enough to hire someone to manage the process for you.
Presenter: Jean Ann Van Krevelen combines her passion for garden writing (Growing Food: A Guide for Beginners and www.GardenertoFarmer.net) with a deep understanding of social media marketing to create solid business-building strategies. As a Social Media Analyst, she teaches businesses to build sound strategies for customer acquisition, relationship development and brand building. Recently, Jean Ann was named “2008 Top 50 Tweeples to Follow” on Twitter. She was also honored to be in the ranks of one of “50 of the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Social Media” and “30 Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter”.
Breakfast on your own.
Schedule of Events
8: 00 a.m. Check-in; Set-up Laptops
8:30 a.m. Introductions and discussion of pre-class survey.
9: 00 a.m. Researching, identifying and using the right language to bring readers to your site.
10: 00 a.m. Break
10: 15 a.m. There are many different kinds of sites out there. We will review the various categories and look at an example of each.
11:30 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. Not all social media sites are created equal. Here’s how to decide which ones are right for you.
1:45 p.m. Social media marketing is very different from traditional marketing. It is context dependant and relationship heavy. Learn basic strategies you can apply immediately to your own marketing effort.
4:00 p.m. As you probably already suspect, one class is not enough time to learn all there is to know about online marketing and social media. We will spend a bit talking about additional resources to help you in your efforts.
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Optional Bus Tours
Due to the size of the gardens, there is limited seating for the optional tours. Breakfast will NOT be provided for optional tours, however lunch will be provided. There will be no airport drop-off available on either tour.
Option 1: Raleigh Private Garden Tour ($60)
For those GWA attendees with a voyeuristic side, we offer the Raleigh Private Garden Tour. This is your opportunity to stroll intimate southeastern gardens, each created and maintained by their owners. Though some of these gardens have adorned the pages of local and national gardening magazines, there are still plenty of secret spaces left to discover. You will be astonished by the wide variety of unusual plants skillfully arranged in each unique landscape. Remember to bring along your camera on this exciting insider’s tour.
Option 2: Sustainable Food Gardens Tour (SOLD OUT)
Growing edibles is the hot trend in horticulture, and we have plenty of diverse food gardens in and around Raleigh to enjoy on our Sustainable Food Garden Tour. This trip will take us “down East” into rural North Carolina to a farm overflowing with hardy fruit. We will explore an herb grower’s home business, see hydroponics in action and visit a couple of private gardens that will inspire you. You can expect to take away plenty of ideas, and perhaps some very tasty treats, on this jam-packed tour.
Program subject to change.
Downloads:
Program Flyer
Online Registration
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