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
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
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.