Hello Gardening and Green Industry Friends,

I've said this before, and I’ll say it again; there is nothing better than getting together at a GardenComm event. If you have been to one you know, great things happen. Therefore, I am thrilled to share with you that GardenComm is announcing its Gather & Grow 2025 Tour, where we’ll have opportunities to meet in person at many horticultural and green industry events, like Cultivate '25 by AmericanHort.

For a growing list of venues to meet with other members, visit the Gather & Grow section in the GardenCommUnity app.

You're Invited to Gather & Grow with us at Cultivate '25

I'm also pleased that GardenComm could offer this mega connect event tied to Cultivate '25, July 11-14. Cultivate is the largest horticultural trade show in North America and takes place in Columbus, OH. If you are in horticultural communications, this is one show you should attend every year. Maybe you've thought about coming in years past or never been, but consider this my personal invite to join us this year. If you need a list of reasons to attend, here you go:

• Two days touring local urban gardens
• Experience the largest horticultural trade show in North America
• Dine with members and new gardening friends at a private dinner sponsored by Proven Winners® ColorChoice®
• GardenComm's 2025 Gold Laurel Media Award and People's Choice Horti Award winners and Honors recipients ceremony
• Horticultural Education – Be in the know with HRI's tHRIve expert speakers and seminars
• Be among the first to see the New Plants and New Products Zones
• Talk to 650+ of the top garden suppliers and growers exhibiting at the trade show
• Network with the who's-who in the industry
• Cultivate new connections with fellow garden geeks, plant lovers and content creators

If it sounds like a lot, that's because it is. That's where GardenComm members and Cultivate veterans will help you make the most of the show experience. Not only are we offering extensive garden tours, organized by local Columbus members, Debra Knapke and Teresa Woodard, there's dinner and awards, social hours, trade show access, and we'll also have a VIP lounge and meeting room at the convention center to relax and meet others during the trade show. You do not want to miss this!

See What's in Store in Columbus

• Mega Meeting Agenda 7/11-7/14 - check out the incredible schedule that will help ensure you make the most of your time in Columbus.
• Garden Tours - An Urban Garden Experience - get a preview of the gardens we'll be attending on 7/11 and 7/12.
• Cultivate '25 Trade Show - see what your registration provides during the show, 7/13-7/15, including keynotes, HRI tHRIve education sessions, new varieties and new products zones.
• Things to Do in Columbus - our local team has put together a list of things to do while you are in town; before, during and after the show.
• Five at 5 Dinner Reservations on 7/13 - it can be challenging getting in one of the local restaurants for dinner during the show. GardenComm members will have reservations for 5 at 5PM to enjoy a small gathering and great conversation. It's dinner-on-your-own and an opportunity to get to know other members.

Options to Attend What You Want

This is the must-attend event of the season and you can choose how and what you would like to attend.

• GardenComm Tours and Events + Cultivate Trade Show - members can do it all for only $149 and $179 for non-members.
• GardenComm Tours and Events Only - if you are already planning to attend Cultivate and would like to experience just the GardenComm tours and events before the trade show opens, it's $119 for members and $139 for non-members.
• GardenComm Dinner and Awards Ceremony Only - join us on Friday, 7/11 for a special dinner hosted by Proven Winners® ColorChoice® followed by the 2025 GardenComm Media Awards and Honors ceremony for only $75. All are welcome, including Silver Laurel winners to see who takes home the gold!
• Save Big! Mega Access Pass - If you want to take in everything Cultivate has to offer, we have a limited number of passes (10 only) that includes all GardenComm tours and events + Cultivate Trade Show + All Access to Cultivate's 160+ educational tracks + access to our Gather & Grow Fall Virtual Webinars with 12 education sessions and Pitch the Editors event. Only $499 for members and $549 for non-members.

Hurry! Cultivate Early Access Pre-Registration Ends 2/21

With over 10,000 annual attendees, hotels rooms sell out fast. Cultivate's pre-registration ends on 2/21, which gives you early access to their pre-selected hotels at group rates. If you want to be close to the convention center and bustling downtown scene, don't miss this important deadline.

Please note, the Gather & Grow Mega Meeting is not like our traditional conference in the following ways:

Hotel Accommodations - you will need to reserve a room through Cultivate housing or alternately consider booking directly at the group hotel at a reduced rate. Look for more details to come under the hotel section on the app. To secure a room through Cultivate housing, rooms sell out quickly so you are advised to pre-register before 2/21 to reserve a spot to book your room in March. If you miss the deadline, you can still book a room from any of the remaining options available when you register. If you're in need of a roommate, we'll have a space for you to connect with others who will be attending.

On-Your-Own Transportation - there is no scheduled transportation to gardens, GardenComm venues or convention center for Cultivate events. Attendees will need to drive on your own, or carpool with other GardenComm members. It’s an excellent opportunity for windshield time, to and from events, and we’ll help facilitate connecting attendees with drivers. Note, if you book a room through Cultivate housing, many hotels will offer free shuttle service to the convention center.

GardenComm Education Sessions - GardenComm will not have in-person education sessions at Cultivate, however there are many sessions provided by the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) you can attend at Cultivate. Attendees can register for optional, for-pay sessions, directly through Cultivate. GardenComm will also announce its virtual educational sessions in the fall during its Gather & Grow Fall Virtual Webinars event in September 2025.

Thank you,

Maria Zampini

GardenComm | Past President