Learn From Your Peers

The Association works with our 20+ Professional Communities to create Professional Development events. Symposia allow for peer-to-peer networking, idea-sharing, and discussion of issues and challenges of common interest. Topics focus upon specific segments of the industry; on average 2–3 symposia are offered each year.

2026 Events

Collaboration at a table
2026 Cultural Governance & Leadership Series: Future-Proofing Your Organization
April 23 and May 7
(Virtual Sessions)
June 11, 2026
(In-Person at 2026 Conference)
Missouri Botanical Garden
2026 Education Symposium
St. Louis, MO
August 18-20, 2026
Wing Haven
2026 IDEA, Historic Landscapes, and Design & Planning Joint Symposium
Charlotte, NC
October 21-23, 2026
Plant wall
2026 Marketing & Communications Symposium
Virtual
November 17-18, 2026
Registration is still open!
Registration opens spring 2026.
Registration opens summer 2026.
Call for Sessions open summer 2026.

2027 Events

Collaboration at a table
2027 Development & Membership Symposium
San Antonio, TX
February 2-3, 2027

Call for Sessions open June 2026.

Past Events

Houston Botanic Garden
2026 Finance & Operations Symposium
Houston, TX
March 24-25, 2026
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
2026 Small Gardens Symposium
Virtual
February 24-25, 2026
Gardens on Spring Creek
2026 Adult Education Summit
Virtual
January 21, 2026
2025 Technology & Innovation Professionals (TIPs) Symposium
Virtual
November 19-21, 2025

Interested in hosting? Benefits include:

1.

Highlight your region and garden(s) while showcasing your expertise through staff presentations and garden tours.

2.

Provide your staff with the opportunity to attend symposium sessions and network with their peers for free or discounted rates.

3.

Celebrate your garden and its accomplishments through a professional development event scaled to fit your garden.

4.

Collaborate in designing the symposium by providing input on theme, evening events, keynote speakers, and more.

“ Hosting the APGA Education Symposium was great exposure for the Huntsville Botanical Garden! The APGA staff and symposium planning committee were wonderful to work with. The team worked with Huntsville Botanical Garden staff to make sure the experience was top notch for all parties involved. We enjoyed the experience so much, we would consider doing it again.”

Rebecca Turk, Vice President of Learning & Public Engagement, Huntsville Botanical Garden

Learn More About Hosting a Symposium:

Download our Why Host an Event guide to learn more. Or, contact Associate Director of Professional Development, Lauren Garcia Chance, at LChance@publicgardens.org.

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Learn More About Sponsoring a Symposium:

Download our most recent Giving Guide to learn more and review the important details. To speak with someone directly, send an inquiry email to sponsorships@publicgardens.org.