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