Learn From Your Peers

The Association works with our 20+ Professional Communities to create Professional Development Symposia. 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; 2–3 symposia are offered each year.

Upcoming

2025 Garden Board Member Experience
Virtual
February 13 – March 13, 2025
2025 Workforce Virtual Summit
Virtual
February 25, 2025
2025 Volunteer Engagement & Guest Services Symposium
Swarthmore, PA
August 5-7, 2025
2025 Horticulture, Greenhouses, & Facilities Symposium
Winnipeg, MB, CA
September 23-24, 2025
2025 International Garden Tourism Symposium
Atlanta, GA
November 5-6, 2025
2025 Technology & Innovation Professionals (TIPS) Symposium
Virtual
November 19-21, 2025

Past Symposia

2024 Marketing & Communications Virtual Symposium
Virtual
November 14-15, 2024
2024 Purposeful Plant Collections in a Changing World
Chicago, IL
October 8-9, 2024
2024 Finance & Operations: Risks & Rewards
Pittsburgh, PA
September 10-11, 2024
2024 Education Elevated: Cultivating Transformative Experiences
Salt Lake City, UT
August 19-21, 2024

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.

APGA logo icon

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.