SNA announces final conference details

 

Sixteen of the industry’s top plant experts are slated to share their knowledge and expertise during this eight-hour conference. Don Shadow, SNA past president and internationally recognized plantsman, will moderate the fast-paced sessions featuring an impressive list of authors, botanical garden directors, garden communicators, landscape designers, professors, researchers, and world travelers – all with the goal of expanding knowledge and use of new and improved plants for the landscape. 

 

The conference, sponsored by HIP Labels and Plant Development Services (PDSI), provides a platform for the grower, landscaper and retailer to come together for a glimpse of new plants coming to market.

 

Brie Arthur, Growing a Greener World, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. – Foodscaping

Dr. Andrew Bell, Curator, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Ill – Windy City Winners

Talon Buchholz, Buchholz & Buchholz Nursery, Gaston, Ore. – Maple Introductions from Buchholz Nursery

Tom Cox, Cox Arboretum & Gardens, Canton, Ga. – Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast

Dr. Michael Dirr, Plant Introductions, Watkinsville, Ga. – Viburnums Past, Present and Future

Brent Heath, Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, Va. – Best Bloomin’ Bulbs for Sexy Southern Landscapes

Joseph Hillenmeyer, Joseph Hillenmeyer Garden Design, Lexington, Ky. – Plants of Inspiration:  A Garden Designer’s Perspective

Ozzie Johnson, ItSaul Plants, Alpharetta, Ga. – Breeding Adventure from Asia to My Own Backyard

John Malone, Summershade, Madison, Ga. – Lifting the Veil on Underutilized Tree Species and Growing a Successful Market

Matt & Tim Nichols, Nichols Nursery, East Flat Rock, N.C. – Ornamental Obsession

David Parks, Camellia Forest Nursery, Chapel Hill, N.C. – Camellias from China

Karen Perkins, Garden Vision Epimediums, Templeton, Mass. – Epimediums:  Jewels of the Shade

Ron Rabideau, Rare Find Nursery, Jackson, N.J. – New and Useful Plants

Dr. John Ruter, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. – Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast

Alan Shapiro, Grandiflora, Gainesville, Fla. – Cool New Herbaceous Plants

 

SNA 2015 combines the SNA Regional Marketplace with the Southern Plant Conference, the SNA Research Conference, the SNA Annual Business Meeting, and the SNA State Officer's Conference, and will feature  educational sessions, presented by the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA) designed specifically for the grower, landscaper and retailer.

 

Collections Law Basics, Pearson Beardsley, Beardsley, P.C.

Breeding Landscape Plants with Ecological Function, Dr. John Ruter, Carol Robacker, Dayton Wilde and J.C. Poythress,  University of Georgia

Looking for Better or More People?, Tony Bass, Super Lawn Technologies

Invasive Non-Native Plant Control, Bodie Pennisi, University of Georgia and Brian Arnold, SongBird LandCare

Horticulture Resources at Your Fingertips!, Dr. Matthew Chappell, University of Georgia

Increasing Profitability Using Sensor-Based Precision Irrigation, Dr. Paul Thomas, University of Georgia

 

Registration for the conference is $199 (by July 17) and $219 (after July 17) and includes continental breakfast, lunch and breaks, as well as a chance to “mix and mingle” with speakers after the conference. An SNA 2015 Name Badge is included with registration. Cost of the educational sessions is $59 by July 17 and $69 after July 17. An SNA 2015 trade show badge is included with registration. 

 

Conference center parking is free for all attendees. Simply mention SNA 2015 to the parking attendant. Those registering by July 17 will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an iPad. Program, registration and hotel information can be found on the SNA website at www.sna.org. Three (3) GGIA Pesticide Applicator CEUs available for am and pm sessions – a total of 3 hours. CEUs applied for with ISA, NALP, FNGLA, TXNLA, VNLA and other state associations within the SNA region.