June 23-27, 2014Denver, CO

Hosted by Denver Botanic Gardens

In partnership with: The Gardens on Spring CreekCheyenne Botanic GardensBetty Ford Alpine Gardens

Sponsored by Rain Bird

Every day, you and your colleagues work hard to transform individual elements – a class, a seed, a tour – into an overall offering that is meaningful and impactful to your visitors, your community and even the world beyond.

We all have to use a bit of “magic” in this process. Magic is more than luck; it’s the perfect combination

of factors that make what had been thought impossible, possible: creating a world-class botanic garden

in the dry, high-altitude steppe; removing barriers of access to fresh produce in urban “food deserts”;

or leading a regional embrace of water-efficient landscaping practices. Pulling off such acts is no small

feat, but such accomplishments by garden professionals have the power to transform the communities

we work in and the people we reach.

What kind of everyday magic are you employing to see that your garden and the people it touches

thrive? Please think about how you can transform the common presentation into something truly

special through interaction and novel techniques – be creative! Share your transformative experiences

and forays into everyday magic at the American Public Gardens (APGA) annual conference in Denver,

June 23-27, 2014.

DEN

VER,

CO

Welcome to Denver – the Mile High City – where a thriving arts and cultural scene, 300 days of sunshine, and the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains combine to create the world’s most spectacular playground. Denver is as laid-back as it is sophisticated. It’s a place where engineers rub elbows with rock climbers at local brewpubs, at art festivals, or while strolling along downtown’s 16th Street pedestrian mall. Free shuttles give visitors quick access to world-class art and culture, wine bars, restaurants, and nighttime entertainment and music in Larimer Square or historic LoDo. Upscale shopping awaits in Cherry Creek, while Denver’s seven professional sports teams showcase this city’s active spirit. Denver’s 850 miles of paved biking and walking paths, the largest of its kind in the country, connect visitors to unique attractions, parks and diverse neighborhoods. One trip is all it takes to fall in love with this great city.

Denverites spend a great deal of time outdoors, so nature is always top of mind. Similarly, ever-increasing efforts to incorporate drought-tolerant and native plants shape the urban landscape, inspiring local residents to do the same in their own yards. Keep an eye out for these displays as you take in this dynamic city. Your hotel in the heart of downtown is the

perfect jumping off point to explore all the city has to offer. Walk – or take advantage of a thriving bike sharing program – to some of our best restaurants, museums and parks.

The Denver Marriott City Center – an AAA 4-Diamond downtown Denver hotel – is committed to providing the best in hospitality and service. Towering above the Mile High City, the Denver Marriott City Center offers guests a unique downtown location, featuring panoramic views of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and the gorgeous Denver skyline, plus convenience to the city’s vibrant business, shopping and entertainment districts, including LoDo, Coors Field, Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall.

Your Rocky Mountain host gardens look forward to sharing – and hearing about your – everyday magic at the 2014 APGA conference!

DEN

VER,

CO

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Gardens’ living collections encompass specimens from the tropics to the tundra, showcasing a plant palette chosen to thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. The Gardens’ dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city is now in its 62nd year, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole fam-ily – as well as world-class education and plant conservation research programs. Additional sites extend this experience throughout the Front Range: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is a 750-acre wildlife and native plant refuge in Jefferson County; Mount Goliath is a high-altitude trail and interpretive site winding through a centuries-old bristlecone pine forest on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.

Green inside and out, the Gardens is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a

pioneer in water conservation.

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

For the past nine years, the Gardens on Spring Creek has been a special place and source of positive, engaging and creative opportunities for people to connect with plants and with each other. As a public/private partnership between the City of Fort Collins and the Friends of the Gardens on Spring Creek, the Fort Collins voters enthusiastically supported the proposal for the creation of a community horticultural center through a ballot initiative, Building Community Choices, and in 2004 The Gardens officially opened its doors.

Today, the Gardens on Spring Creek welcome over 50,000 visitors annually to enjoy display gardens, participate in educational programs and special events, and provide hundreds of volunteers with opportunities to get their hands dirty. The Gardens currently includes a Plant Select® Demonstration Garden, a children’s garden, the three-quarter acre Garden of Eatin’, a Rock Garden, and the Xeric Parkway Strip. As an integral part of its mission, The Gardens sup-ports school and community garden outreach programs in low-income areas, offers a school field trip program and youth summer camps for grade school students, provides year-round educational programs for all ages and interests in horticulture, and hosts several special events to help connect people with each other and their community.

With a mission to enrich the lives of people and foster environmental stewardship through horticulture, the Gardens on Spring Creek is Fort Collins’ community botanic garden.

THE GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK

It has evolved to become Wyoming’s only public garden in one of the most challenging gardening climates in the lower 48 (high winds, regular hail, high altitude, little winter snow cover, and unpredictable first and last frosts).

Today it exists on a nine-acre plot in a park as a city government operation with major support from its “friends” foundation. Mostly senior, youth and handicapped volunteers, along with other community members, provide 90 percent of the physical labor. The project also functions as a city nursery, providing and tending from spring to fall over 50,000 bedding plants that beautify 80 flowerbeds on city parks and parkways.

The project includes a solar heated and powered greenhouse conservatory and 27 specialty land-scapes. One of the more popular landscapes is the Paul Smith Children’s Village, a one-acre interactive garden and classroom that features examples of sustainability (past, present and future). The Children’s Village is the nation’s first

LEED-certified public children’s garden and the second LEED Platinum-certified site in the state of Wyoming. Off site, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is working to develop the High Plains Arboretum, which was once the USDA’s High Plains Horticulture Research Station. Its mis-sion was to introduce trees, shrubs, flowers, fruit and food crops that would survive on the difficult climate of the High Plains.

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens had an unusual beginning in 1977 as a 100% solar-heated, volunteer-staffed community greenhouse.

CHEYENNE BOTANIC GARDENS

Sitting in Vail’s Ford Park, walking distance from Vail Village, it is a botanical gem, dwarfed by the magnificent scenery of the Gore Mountain Range.

A series of stone pathways meander past streams and waterfalls through four distinct garden zones and a nature area along Gore Creek, encompassing five acres. An Herb Schaal-designed children’s garden depicts a miniature hike to the summit of the Gore Range, with a wetland, stepping stones and a limestone gorge, fully interpreted. The Mountain Perennial Garden displays the vast array of perennials that thrive at this high elevation with the extraor-dinary ultra violet light making the colors of the delphinium, monkshood and lilies intense. A Meditation Garden offers a more tranquil setting, Rocky Mountain style, with broadleaf evergreens and dwarf conifers surrounding a tranquil pool and floating rock. A stream lined with candelabra primroses leads to the impres-sive Alpine Rock Garden. This mostly native rock

garden sits on a slope of about forty feet, with ADA pathways and natural stone steps weaving through the rocks. Home of the NAPCC collection of Colorado’s alpine flora, it is a unique display of alpine flora.

The Gardens were named for Betty Ford, who had a home in the Vail valley and was active in the Gardens until her death in 2011.

At an elevation of 8,200 ft. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest botanical garden in North America.

BETTY FORD AlPINE GARDENS

Hypnotizing Horticulture: How do your gardens leave visitors with a lasting impression? Are you addressing climate change in your planting decisions and garden design? Do your displays reflect the community and serve as examples to visitors? Share your success stories of displays that delight, collections that captivate and designs that dazzle.

Track Co-Chairs: Melissa Burdick Director of Horticulture Lauritzen Gardens

402. 346.4002 ext. 206 m.burdick@omahabotanicalgardens.org

Casey Sharber Director of Horticulture Myriad Botanical Gardens

405.445.7080 csharber@myriadgardens.org

Catalytic Conservation: Even the most elaborate conser-vation efforts begin with a single driving force. Environmental pres-ervation isn’t magic; it’s diligent monitoring and study. How are you prioritizing initiatives? Are your conservation programs happening onsite, or do you venture beyond your garden’s perimeters to effect change? Share what you are doing to create a transformative experi-ence at your garden – or in the community.

Track Co-Chairs: Sarada Krishnan Director of Horticulture Denver Botanic Gardens

720. 865.3601 krishnas@botanicgardens.org

Kimberlie McCue Program Director, Conservation Desert Botanical Garden

480.481.8137 kmccue@dbg.org

Liberated Leadership: Has your leadership transformed your garden, employees and com-munity? Are you creating partner-ships with local nonprofits and for-profits to make your garden more relevant in the community? Talk about how you are improving and adapting your garden for the future.

Track Co-Chairs:

Catherine Hubbard Executive Director Rio Grande Botanic Garden

505.848.7181 catherine.hubbard@cabq.gov

Kara Newport Executive Director Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

704.829.1250 newport@dsbg.org

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Enchanting Education: How do you engage with the com-munity through education pro-grams? Are you doing something innovative to reach out to new and diverse audiences? How have your class topics – and delivery formats – transformed to mirror changing demands? From expanded offer-ings to new techniques, talk about your tricks of the trade.

Track Co-Chairs: Laurie Albrecht Program Coordinator Mounts Botanical Garden

561. 233.1747 lalbrecht@pbcgov.org

Susan Wagner Vice President of Education and Information The Morton Arboretum

630.719.2407 swagner@mortonarb.org

Miraculous Marketing and Media Relations: What tools do you rely on to attract the masses…and to engage niche audiences? Talk about how you make your garden’s brand of magic relevant to diverse audiences. From social media’s ever-evolving menu of options to traditional media’s consolidation, tell us how you keep your garden newsworthy.

Track Co-Chairs: Liz Fetchin Director of Marketing and Communications Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Gardens

412.441.4442, x3801 lfetchin@phipps.conservatory.org

Kathryn Glass Vice President of Marketing Brooklyn Botanic Garden

718.623.7283 kathrynglass@bbg.org

Distinctive Development: Is fundraising an art or a science? How do you differentiate your garden from the myriad alternative institutions and causes? Has online giving changed the way you pursue gifts? Have virtual communications changed the way you build rela-tionships? We want to hear your stories.

Track Co-Chairs: Dave Forehand VP of Gardens and Visitor Services Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

214.515.6607, dforehand@dallasarboretum.org

Michelle Conklin Executive Director Tucson Botanical Garden

520.326.9686 execdirector@tucsonbotanical.org

Alluring Art and Exhibitions: Is art a panacea to unlocking new audiences, or is it a standard component of the modern garden? Maybe you’ve been investigating the opportunities non-plant exhib-its present. Perhaps your garden is already established as a destination for indoor or outdoor art. This new track gives all gardens a forum to share, learn and inspire.

Track Co-Chairs: Karen Daubmann Vice President of Exhibitions and Public Engagement New York Botanical Garden

718.817.8535, kdaubmann@nybg.org

Rodney Eason Director of Horticulture and Plant Curator Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

207.633.4333 ext. 142 reason@mainegardens.org

Call for Sessions and Proposals Opens: July 1, 2013, 10:00 a.m. ET http://apga2014.abstractcentral.comSubmission Deadline: October 16, 2013, 11:00 p.m. ET

Instructions for Submitting Your Proposal

The online submission process is easy and allows you to compose abstracts securely and collaboratively with colleagues throughout the world, thus simplifying the authoring and submission process.

Moderator/Workshop Leader Information

Moderators/Leaders perform a great service for the conference. Their expectations and responsibilities are outlined below:

During Proposal Submission and leading up to the conference:

• Organize the session including presenters, focus, format and handouts

• Notify and communicate to presenters from when proposal is ac-cepted through delivery of session

• Develop session content and ensure it matches the quality and theme of the proposal

• Coordinate any logistical details with the Program Selection Com-mittee and/or APGA Staff

• For workshops or sessions that may incur extra costs, work with APGA Staff to identify food, audiovisual and other costs by prepar-ing a draft budget (see below)

• Specify all special room/site setups and audiovisual needs

• Ensure all session speakers are registered for the conference

At the conference and immediately afterward:

• Introduce session and speakers/panelists/presenters, giving an overview of the topic and the session format

• Lead interim and summary remarks

• Facilitate a question and answer period

• Ensure the electronic capture of session/workshop information

The following information is needed for all moderators:

NameTitle, InstitutionAddress, City, State, Zip/Postal Code, CountryPhone, Fax, EmailModerator/Workshop Leader Qualifications/Biography (50 words or fewer)

Presenter/Panelist Information

Proposals are evaluated partly on the strength of the presenters, and their participation must be confirmed. The following information is needed for all presenters:

NameConfirmed: Yes/NoTitle, InstitutionAddress, City, State, Zip/Postal Code, CountryPhone, Fax, Email

Major Points to Be Covered

Budget

• If applicable, attach a separate budget (in US dollars).

• APGA tries to keep conference fees as low as possible and has a

limited speaker budget. On average, 100-120 speakers participate in the conference each year. Those from within public horticulture do not receive honoraria or travel reimbursements. Cash support for presentations is awarded only in exceptional circumstances. If you request financial support, please submit a detailed budget with your proposal. Requests for support submitted after a proposal is accepted will not be considered.

• Please indicate what the audio/visual needs will be. Please be spe-cific. Indicate numbers of microphones, whether you need audio or Internet access, and any other A/V requirements you have to ensure a successful program. This will help us understand how much this workshop will cost to run, as each of these items has an associated cost.

Funding

Requests for funding will be strengthened by demonstrated efforts to help cover costs including:

• Asking outside speakers to waive their fees or at least partially cover their own expenses.

• Encouraging your institution or your speaker to sponsor your session (or any session) in exchange for recognition as a Session Sponsor.

Workshop Budgets

Workshop proposals must include a budget listing all costs: pre-senters’ travel expenses, handouts, meals/breaks, and audiovisual needs. Pre-conference workshops are expected to cover all costs

through registration fees. Typical workshop attendance is ten to twenty participants. Full-day workshop fees range from $100-$125. Contact APGA to obtain food and audiovisual cost estimates. Please indicate what you believe your audio/visual needs will be; be spe-cific. Indicate numbers of microphones, whether you need audio or Internet access, and any other A/V requirements you have to ensure a successful program. Do not include conference registration in the budget. If funding or sponsorship is not available, presenter fees/honoraria may need to be reduced or waived.

Proposals must be submitted online by 11:00 p.m. ET, October 16, 2013.

Presentation Formats

What’s different this year?

Not to say that PowerPoint presentations in a hotel meeting room can’t capture magic, but consider alternate delivery methods and even different venues for adding some magic to the 2014 confer-ence sessions. Maybe your Horticulture presentation would be more impactful IN an actual garden. Perhaps your Marketing session would be all the more compelling with AV enhancements. Or maybe your Arts & Exhibits session could incorporate a walk to a local art gallery.

Our Denver Host Committee has even designated a ‘magic

consultant’ to help you transform your presentation into some-

thing truly different and impactful: magic@botanicgardens.org.

15- or 30-Minute Individual Presentations

Structured discussions or presentations based on a single, focused topic. Only one author (on multi-author papers) will present at the meeting. Two to six individual presentations will be grouped per time slot.

Sixty-Minute Multi-Speaker or Panel Discussion

Three to five panelists provide brief introductions; a moderator poses prepared questions to the panelists followed by questions from the audience. The talk-show format allows for an in-depth focus on a single topic, offers multiple points of view, and allows panelists, mod-erator and audience to interact.

Ninety-Minute Multi-Speaker or Panel Session

The moderator gives an overview of the session and introduces one to three consecutive speakers. Presentations are generally 15 - 20 minutes long and include PowerPoint presentations and other audio-visuals. Multiple speakers can provide a diversity of perspectives or feature different aspects of a topic.

Workshop (Full- or Half-day)

The perfect venue for experienced workshop leaders to pass on their knowledge in a targeted learning opportunity. Typically these work-shops have an interactive, hands-on component. Please note that proposals for workshops must include a complete budget.

Poster

Displayed throughout the conference, posters showcase a single program or special project in a graphic format using photographs, diagrams, plans, sketches, or charts with limited text on a bi-fold or

tri-fold presentation board. Poster presenters have a specific time to discuss their projects and answer questions. Posters are an excellent way to present new ideas, concepts and programs.

Evaluation and Notification

How are proposals evaluated?

During the peer-review process, members of the Program Selection Committee evaluate proposals using the following criteria:

1. Topic, intent and learning outcomes (for workshops and organized sessions) that are focused, well presented and thoughtfully articu-lated

2. A clear and convincing presentation of ideas, organization and ra-tionale for choosing speakers/presenters

3. Confirmed speakers/presenters

4. A diverse selection of speakers/presenters who represent a wide range of perspectives, regions, garden size/budget/mission (speak-ers from outside public horticulture are welcome.)

5. An appropriate format that contributes to the exploration of the topic

6. Important or timely topic

7. Realistic and affordable budget (if any) with funding sources identified

8. Relevance to conference theme

Notification

By late December 2013, you will receive notification of the status of your proposal. If acceptance is contingent on changes, you will have two weeks to make those changes and get the amended proposal back to the program selection committee. Punctuality and coopera-tion are appreciated. APGA will determine the specific timeslots for sessions.

Developing a Strong Proposal

• APGA’s conferences are recognized for leading the field of public horticulture. We are looking for the best and most motivating, inspir-ing and innovative educational content.

• Please remember this is an online submission. We recommend that you prepare your submission ahead of time in an MS Word docu-ment and then cut and paste it into the required fields, paying atten-tion ahead of time to the word/character count for each section.

• APGA annual conference registrants have often said that they are not looking for “show-and-tell” sessions but rather for information explaining “how-tos” and “whys” that they can take back to their respective public gardens and implement.

• APGA conference registrants are diverse. Your audience potentially includes Institutional Members representing botanical gardens, arboreta, cemeteries, zoos and university campuses as well as Individual Members—volunteers, students, retirees, and corporate members from a variety of industries. Please be clear about your intended audience when developing your proposal.

• When recruiting speakers for your session, please keep in mind the diversity of APGA members. Member gardens vary in terms of size

of budget, staff and acreage. If applicable, please ensure that your speakers are representative of the membership so that all gardens can take advantage of the valuable information you are presenting.

• The theme for the 2014 APGA annual conference is the Everyday Magic, and submissions should address the theme. The event is in Denver, Colorado, from June 22 to 27, 2014.

Questions?

Who should present at APGA?

Anyone with an interest in public horticulture is welcome to partici-pate in the program. Presenters from disciplines or organizations outside public horticulture are strongly encouraged to participate. Membership in APGA is not a prerequisite.

Can I make changes to my abstract with the online submission?

Full instructions for submitting abstracts online will be available in a step-by-step process within the online submission system. In addition to these instructions, you will be provided with online support pages and phone support through ScholarOne, Inc.’s Abstract® Central customer support team. You will have the ability to update or make changes to your abstract until the abstract submission deadline.

For More Information:

Program Selection Committee Chair: Cynthia DruckenbrodDirector of Horticulture, Cleveland Botanical Garden216.707.2824cdruckenbrod@cbgarden.org

American Public Gardens Association351 Longwood RoadKennett Square, PA 19348 Ph: 610.708.3010Fax: 610.444.3594publicgardens.org