Garden Writers Association - GWA Annual Symposium

Event Dates
2015-09-18 - 2015-09-21
Exhibitors
0
Floor Size
0
Attendees
0
Event contact title
Event Contact
Event contact first name
JC
Event contact last name
McGowan
Email
JC@gardenwriters.org
Event contact telephone number
703-257-1032
Fax
703-257-0213
Description

Mark your calendars. September 18-21, 2015, the 67th Annual GWA Symposium is coming to Pasadena, California.

Our Mediterranean climate, our soils, our horticultural history cultivated a demand for regionally unique plants and landscaping solutions. Come. We promise you will be thrilled with stunning local settings. Whatever your specialization or level of expertise, you will return home pleased for time well spent in a land known for abundance in horticultural pleasures.

Through networking, programs and presentations, the event is a celebration of California’s year-round growing opportunities. It is your opportunity to hone communication skills and grow business contacts for individual success in an incomparably diverse setting.

On behalf of the Local Area Committee, we look forward to welcoming you to the heart of Los Angeles County, Pasadena. Courtesy of Lydia Plunk

Learn from Experts
Our Symposium Program Chair for this year is GWA Vice President Kirk Brown who is putting together a program that will best address our objectives. We invite all garden communicators to take advantage of everything this meeting and its host city have to offer. If you have a program topic you wish to present, visit our Call for Presentations page.

Gather Story Ideas

The Local Arrangements Committee is working to establish the best possible story tour schedule. You will be delighted with the beautiful public and private gardens of Pasadena.

Stay for Optional Tours

Those of you interested in more garden tour opportunities are invited to attend the optional tours on Tuesday morning, September 22nd. There is much to do and learn; so, sign up early and make sure you take advantage of everything this year’s meeting offers.


 

Attendee information

The GWA is comprised of garden communications professionals including book authors, staff editors, newspaper columnists, magazine writers, syndicated columnists, freelance writers, photographers, landscape designers, TV and radio personalities, consultants, catalog publishers, Internet hosts and extension service agents.

Exhibitor information

The exhibit hall is open for several hours over two days at the beginning of the symposium to visit with suppliers and manufacturers of consumer lawn & garden products or services.  Usually it takes the better part of the exhibit opening hours to see it all and talk to exhibitors about their wares.  Often exhibitors will have samples that they are distributing and some may have door prize draws.  This is an excellent opportunity to see what’s new, network with new contacts and pick up some story ideas.   During the exhibition, refreshments and light finger foods are often served. 

 

Who Will Be Exhibiting
The exhibition is open to qualified suppliers or manufacturers of consumer lawn & garden products or services:
• indoor gardening and lighting
• irrigation systems
• publishers
• education/information resources
• plant foods & fertilizers
• power tools
• plant seeds & green goods
• garden tools
• agrochemical manufacturers
• and any other product or process designed for consumer gardening use.

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact