Immersion in # GWA2017 : Fulfilling , Rewarding and Inspiring
BY ISAAC LUHRS
My experience at the 2017 Garden Writers Association Conference and Expo in Buffalo , New York , was a phenomenal immersion into the world of public horticulture and garden writing .
From the moment I got to the registration desk , I felt a strong sense of acceptance , enthusiasm and encouragement from everyone that I met ! As a student , the experience was priceless . I ’ m honored to have been in Buffalo with so many people that I now admire and aspire to be like . I vividly remember the sense of gratitude and excitement I had when so many members gave me words of advice for my professional development .
PROGRAM APPROVAL
I greatly enjoyed the pre-conference writing class given by Mary-Kate Mackey . I thought it was exceptional and very worthwhile ; I would take it again . All the speakers were wonderful and provided the audience with great insight into their specialized areas in the horticulture industry .
I also enjoyed Mark Tuner ’ s talk “ Good Pictures in Bad Conditions ” and the keynote speaker Dr . Robin Wall Kimmerer ’ s tear-jerking speech about natural resource conservation and the infinite wisdom of native peoples .
LEADERSHIP CONTINUITY
I was also very pleased to see the passing of the torch from existing president to the incoming president of the GWA at the award ceremony . The host committee members did a wonderful job leading the tours across Buffalo to the many different garden and park locations . The amount of history in the city of Buffalo was astounding . It seemed famous landscape architects had their hands all over the place .
My overall impression of the GWA is one of prestige and magnitude in the horticultural industry . I will be recommending the scholarship opportunity to my friends and encouraging them to become GWA members . I had such a great time and met so many new friends that I ’ m anticipating attending the conference again in this decade .
Isaac Luhrs , a student at the University of Tennessee , received one of three scholarships to attend # GWA2017 .
SCHEDULE CHANGES BY JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP , EDITOR
Beginning with this issue , On the QT is moving to a calendar year publication . This will eliminate the December-January newsletter and put the six publications in the same year .
The new due dates for submitting copy and photos for 2018 issues are :
• January-February , November 12 , 2017
• March-April , January 9 , 2018
• May-June , March 19 , 2018
• July-August , May 21 , 2018
• September-October , July 21 , 2018
• November-December , September 21
The newly formed editorial committee is looking forward to the results of the recent On the QT Readership Survey , so if you haven ’ t responded yet , please do so .
Lastly , please feel free to make suggestions for profiles of members , business , photography and food columns and other features you ’ d like to see . Send your ideas to me : jemsharp46 @ gmail . com , with On the QT in the subject line . Remember On the QT pays a small honoraria for articles , except those that are about GWA events , benefits or other news .
SAVE THE DATE ! GWA Annual Conference & Expo at IGC Show ’ 18 Chicago , IL | August 13-16
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