Feb 16, 2018

Garden Writers to Meet in Chicago During IGC Show

The annual conference of GWA — the Association for Garden Writers, will take place this August in Chicago, Illinois, conjunction Independent Garden Center Show (IGC Show).

More than 450 GWA consumer gardening communicators are expected, including authors, bloggers, staff editors, syndicated columnists, freelance writers, photographers, speakers, landscape designers, television and radio personalities, consultants and publishers. 

GWA’s Annual Conference & Expo co-location with the IGC Show at Chicago’s Navy Pier begins Aug. 13, the day before the show opens, and runs through Aug. 16. GWA members will be able to show their event badge for instant, seamless access to the IGC Show exhibit hall, as well as all three morning keynotes and Tuesday’s party with The Marshall Tucker Band live in concert.

The three-day GWA conference is packed with exciting events and experiences for attendees, including tours of Chicago’s finest gardens, engaging education sessions covering a wide array of techniques and trends, and networking opportunities with media professionals and green industry leaders.

World-renowned designer, Jacqueline van der Kloet, recognized for her designs in Lurie Garden, the High Line and the New York Botanical Garden, will be the opening keynote speaker for the GWA conference on Aug. 14. She will speak about how experiments in her own garden led to the development of a style of working with bulbs that is now in demand all around the world.

Jeff Morey, IGC Show founder and CEO, says, “We are honored and thrilled that GWA has selected the IGC Show to co-locate their conference and expo. Not only will our retailer attendees have the opportunity to network with influential members of the gardening media, our IGC Show exhibiting vendors will benefit from the exposure of their hottest products to members of the consumer gardening press.”

Becky Heath, president of GWA, says, “We are excited about the opportunities our GWA members will have to see all the latest gardening products in person, under one roof at the IGC Show, while networking with the independent garden center owners and operators who are instrumental in bringing the most current outdoor trends to consumer gardeners. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

To learn more about the GWA Annual Conference & Expo, visit www.gardenwriters.org/GWA2018.

Registration opens on April 1, 2018.

IGC Show’s trade show, three morning keynotes and Tuesday’s party and concert with The Marshall Tucker Band are free if you register at www.igcshow.com.

To learn more about the GWA Annual Conference & Expo, visit www.gardenwriters.org/GWA2018. Registration opens on April 1, 2018.