Registration Now Open for the 2024 Perennial Plant Association National Symposium
February 21, 2024 
Photo: Saunders Brothers, Inc.
Registration is now open for the Perennial Plant Association (PPA)’s 2024 National Symposium. PPA is heading to the mountains of Asheville, NC, for a week designed to highlight the wonders of perennial plants. PPA will also be celebrating its 40th anniversary as an association at the National Symposium with special highlights throughout the week. From tours of public and private gardens to education crafted for diverse industry interests, this is the event for perennial plant people.
The National Symposium will be hosted at the Embassy Suites and DoubleTree Downtown Asheville hotels from July 29 to Aug 1 with tours exploring into the surrounding areas. This year, PPA has partnered with Speaking of Gardening to add an additional day of education on August 2.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore inspiring botanical gardens, see the incredible work that leading companies are undertaking, and learn from top experts in the field. Comprised of education, tours, socials, dinners, and a trade show, attendees can choose to participate in the weeklong experience with PPA hosting add-on bus tours on Monday, the Core Symposium (Tuesday-Thursday) and another add-on day of industry leading speakers hosted by Speaking of Gardening.
PPA will recognize those who have made a significant impact to the horticulture industry with the Special Recognition Awards, offer the opportunity to meet the Perennial Plant Foundation scholarship winners, and provide the chance to see the unveiling of the 2024 Landscape Design Awards as well as the 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Speaker highlights include:
- Tom Ranney of the JC Raulston Distinguished Professor of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University on “Exploring Southern Appalachian Flora”
- Kelly Elsworth, Founder and President of Next Stage Labs, on “From Test Tube to Garden Center”
- Rashid Poulson, Director of Horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, on “Cultivating Community and Ecological Stewardship”
- Bobby Mottern, Director of Horticulture at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, on “Gardening for Climate Resilience”
Tour attractions include:
- Botanical Gardens at Asheville
- B.B. Barnes Garden Center
- Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Center
- Reems Creek Nursery
- New this year: Hiking Tour to the waterfalls in the Pisgah Forest
“What better way to celebrate the PPA’s 40th anniversary than meeting up with old friends and making new connections in beautiful Asheville,” says said Richard Hawke, PPA Board President. “Thanks to the PPA Southern Region Director and local planning committee for putting together a solid program with great talks and inspiring tours.”
The early bird registration deadline is June 17, 2024, and final registration deadline is July 15, 2024. For more information on the National Symposium and to register, click here.
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