As Maria Zampini mentioned in her President's Letter earlier this month, the annual conference in Minneapolis was among the best we've seen. It was wonderful to be back in person for the first time since 2019, in Salt Lake City. From the education, the garden tours, networking, and 75th annual celebration, there was plenty to be excited about at this year's conference.
For those who missed it due to schedule conflicts or not being able to travel, we've got you covered, with the GardenComm Virtual Conference happening this fall, October 18-20. This will be an experience we've not been able to do until now. The virtual conference will feature many of the educational sessions from the in-person event on-demand, beginning 9/30, so you can enjoy them on your own before the conference begins.
During the live virtual event, we'll have presentations from some of the in-person conference speakers, happening live with Q&A. We're also working on adding new educational sessions based on attendee feedback from the in-person conference. As well as several virtual event favorites, including the Story Slam and After Party with giveaways and a chance to win a 2024 GardenComm Annual Membership.
On top of all that, we're also bringing back Pitch the Editors, an opportunity for you to pitch your ideas for books, articles, photography and other digital content to the green industry's top editors and publishers. Several book deals were made during the 2022 virtual conference so this could be your chance to bring your ideas to life and close out the year with your next book or article deal.
Member attendees will get to experience all of this and more, over a 3-day event for only $149. There is also a non-member rate of $179, with the option to save $30 off a GardenComm annual membership. To register now, follow the links to the virtual conference website and reserve your all-access pass today. For those paid attendees who joined us in Minneapolis, you will enjoy an all-access pass to the virtual event at no additional cost!
Great things happen when the GardenCommUnity comes together and this virtual event could be the start of your next big thing in 2024!
Chris Sabbarese
GardenComm | Executive Director
Regions Issue Highlights
Regional Member News
Member Profile - Kim Toscano Holmes
New Members
GardenComm Events
See & Visit our GardenComm Allied Members Websites
Member News
Region 6 - Happy Hour 🌻🌽🌷
Join us at 5:00 pm PST Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, for a short presentation by our own Nicholas Staddon showcasing highlights of GardenComm's 75th Anniversary conference and recent summer trade shows he's attended.
In the second half of the hour, we'll open up the discussion to hear about your latest projects and questions going into fall.
GardenComm Members Recognized at the Annual Conference Awards & Honors Banquet
2023 Gold Laurel Award Winning Members
Digital Media: Podcast Series (Overall) - Kathy Jentz, GardenDC Podcast
Digital Media: Video (YouTube, Vimeo) - Valerie Smith at Sod Solutions, How to Lay Sod
Digital Media: Website (Personal/Trade) - Julie Joyce, GreenID Marketing, Re-Brand & Website Launch of Family Owned Landscape
Speaking and Broadcast Media: Speaking - Live Presentation Kathy Jentz, Deer & Garden Mammals Talk
Writing: Blog Hyannis Country Garden Blog by C.L. Fornari
Writing: Book (General Readership) - American Roots by Teresa Woodard
Writing: Magazine Article (Consumer/Trade) Erica Browne Grivas, "The Future Is Wild: Exploring the World of Matrix-Based Garden Design"
Writing: Marketing/Club Newsletter - Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, News from the Hoosier Gardener
Writing: Newspaper Article - Rhonda Fleming Hayes, “Rare Heirloom Peony Has Been with Bloomington Family for Four Generations (Sisterhood of the Traveling Plant)
Writing: Newspaper Column - Erin L. Schanen, “The Impatient Gardener”
2023 GardenComm Members Honored
Hall of Fame - Bill Johnson
Fellows - Mary-Kate Mackey and Nan Sterman
Wilfred J. Jung Distinguished Service Medal - Proven Winners® ColorChoice®
Emergent Communicator - Acadia Tucker
Share Your News 📰
Share Your News With GardenComm
Have a new book, awards, articles or speaking opportunities that you'd like to share with members and green industry friends? Send it to us on the Submit Member Newsform on the website 24/7. We'll share it in our monthly Regions News, the 4th week of the month. Be sure to submit your news by the third week of the month to be included.
Member Profile
GardenComm is randomly selecting members to post a profile to get to know a little about them. We'll feature them on the website and one each month in the Regions Newsletter.
Kim Toscano Holmes
Hailing from Region 5 in Oklahoma, Kim Holmes has been a GardenComm member since 2007! When Kim transitioned from a "cozy job with a salary and benefits" to freelancing, the connections she made through GardenComm helped to make it all possible. Kim says, "When I first started out, I met 100% of my clients via GardenComm. Those working relationships have allowed me to reach large audiences and grow my clientele."
A writer, graphic designer, and artist, Kim creates regionally focused content on a diversity of topics relevant to gardening in hot southern gardens. You'll find her articles in magazines like Fine Gardening and Southern Living, where her work with Southern Living Plant Collection has allowed her to bring her passion for design to its readers. Kim takes a holistic approach to gardening and landscaping, working in harmony with the natural environment. This includes following sustainable gardening practices, careful water management, and enhancing landscape biodiversity. READ MORE
👏 New GardenCommunity Members
Welcome our newest GardenComm members!
Janet Mills R5
Janey Santos R6
Kim Berns Melhus R5
Clara Helms R4
Derick Haynes R4
Upcoming Events
Register now for the GardenComm Virtual Conference October 18-20
For the first time, GardenComm is bringing its professional education and networking opportunities from our annual conference, and presenting them during this virtual event. With on-demand access, live sessions with Q&A, Pitch the Editors and so much more.
National Garden Bureau hosts this FREE online event, featuring GardenComm authors who discuss their new books. Click REGISTER NOW and reserve your spot!
