More Cheesesteaks, Please...

When you think Philadelphia, you think cheesesteaks, and for good reason…Philadelphia is the birthplace of the greatest sandwich of all time! And while the debate will rage on for years to come (Pat’s or Geno’s?) Philadelphia is more than steak sandwiches.

Philadelphia is home to several fine dining establishments including Le Bec-Fin (once named the best restaurant in the country by Condé Nast), and several Stephen Starr restaurants - Buddakan, Parc, Butcher & Singer, and Alma De Cuba to name a few.

Chef Georges Perrier - Le Bec Fin

And while fine dining has its place, there is nothing like the hustle and bustle of The Reading Terminal Market (opened in 1892). Located just minutes from the LOEWS Hotel, the Terminal houses mouth-watering aromas, produce fresh from the field, provides Amish specialties, fresh meats, seafood, and poultry, as well as unique, hand-made pottery, jewelry and crafts, flowers, ethnic foods, cookware and eclectic restaurants peppered throughout the Market with a multitude of diverse people preparing and selling some of the most mouthwatering foods you will ever eat! A definite stopping point!

If a pub is more your style, stop by McGillin’s Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury Street, the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia (opened in 1860). With a large selection of regional microbrews McGillin’s is a perfect spot to get a taste of Philly!

Or may I suggest Fergies Pub, 1214 Sansom Street, for a live Irish music session (Saturday nights), a deep fried pickle, and shepard’s pie, or some BBQ from their award winning chef, Mark Bebe, awarded Best of Philly, appeared on TLC’s Best Food Ever, and placed in the top 5 BBQ in the country by Food Network!

Lastly, a stroll through the Italian Market on 9th Street from Wharton to Fitzwater will bring you into the oldest and largest working outdoor market in America. With two pasta shops making fresh pasta, live poultry, local produce, amazing desserts and pastries, the freshest bread you will ever taste, and so much more, this is an experience you cannot do without when visiting Philly!

Rocky (circa 1976) running through the Itlaian Market

This is just a snapshot of the magnificent restaurants and food stops awaiting you in Philly for the 2011 APGA Annual Conference.

MORE Time

Imagine the luxury of a work week that is only ever two days long, giving you a five full days off every week to relax and do anything you’d like. What would you do if you had that kind of time on your hands? More time… a very nice dilemma to have.

Well, unfortunately we can’t give you a two-day work week (that might not go over very well with your employers), but we can give you five full days at this year’s annual APGA conference to spend any way you like! More time… and you know what that means—more of everything!... a very nice dilemma to have, indeed!

• More time to stop and smell the roses—at the Longwood Rose Garden, of course!
• More time to take pleasure in the pleasure gardens amidst the world-renowned and enchanting woodlands and pastures of Chanticleer!;
• More time, perhaps, to go out on a limb to do something different (Look up! No, it’s not Superman! It’s the Morris Arboretum’s Tree Adventure exhibit, and you’re about to find out what “interactive” really means!);
• More time to meet and spend with More colleagues;
• More time to discover all of the great garden initiatives taking place across the country and farther afield;
• More time to discuss and debate the pressing issues of our time like childhood obesity and the role gardens can play in helping to reverse such dangerous trends;
• More time to find out how social media—including YouTube—can revolutionize your interaction with volunteers, members, and the public in general.

Please join us this year at More: The APGA Revolutionary Conference in Philadelphia. With the newly organized conference schedule spanning a whole five days, there is much More time to fit much More in. So take your time, and choose those sessions that you know will give you the optimal APGA conference experience. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday… what will you do? A nice dilemma to have, indeed!

MORE History

Reading Terminal Market (Photo credit: Larry Laszlo)

 Sitting here with coffee at the Reading Terminal - a hub for gathering, produce shopping and eating since 1892 (I’ve been coming since 1955!) – one can’t help but sense the history of this city.


The original plan for this “Greene Countrie Towne”, as William Penn described it, provided an interior row between two rows of houses for gardens but also for public squares in each section of Philadelphia. The squares remain – Washington, Rittenhouse, Franklin and Logan Circle, Yep, the last one is a circle, but it is inside a square if you look! The Swann Fountain (designed by Alexander Stirling Calder)in its center celebrates three waterways, the Delaware, the Schuylkill and well, we have our secrets, you’ll have to ask about the third!

APGA members Amy Hoffmann, Keri Leymaster, James Gagliardi, and Tee Jay Boudreau at the Swann Fountain (Photo credit: Grace Chapman)

Known as the birthplace of Democracy, Philly was also the birthplace of American Botany. When this town on the Delaware River (a general crossed it one night with some significant results) was settled a few hundred years ago it was a new landscape. There were no books or concerning native plants, so, people like John Bartram made observations, drawings and kept records beginning our Green history. And let’s not forget Horticulture! The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was formed in 1827 and 2 years later presented the first Philadelphia Flower Show. Now, along with being international in scope, it is the largest and the oldest continuous indoor flower show in the world! Among other plants it showcased Poinsettia, Chrysanthemums, and coffee (yes, the drink in this cup).

We are home to Fairmount Park, the largest park in the United States that is within city limits. And we have treasures. How about original collections from the Lewis & Clark expedition at the Academy of Natural Science? Or Impressionist art collections that rival Paris? These within walking distance of the Symposium!

Shofusu, the Japanese House in Fairmount Park (Photo credit: Grace Chapman)

The Symposium will be held at the Loews Hotel. Once known as the PSFS building (look up at the sign, it’s still there), completed in 1932 and the first skyscraper in America built in the “International Style” – think Bauhaus inspired… At the Loews you are within walking distance of the most historical blocks in America. Take a right at the front entrance, head to the Bourse and then work your way through Society Hill (named because of the “Societies” of craft workers that existed there.) Check out Carpenters Hall, Independence Hall (documents of some importance were debated and signed there a while back), The American Philosophical Society Museum, Second Bank of the United States, the home where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, and there’s More!. Another day turn left and there’s the Franklin Institute, Academy of Natural Sciences, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Some of these institutions are within a Frisbee throw of each other (ok, you need a decent arm, but it can be done!).  Look up as you walk, there is City Hall, one of the largest masonry buildings in the world…and, hey, there’s More!

Benjamin Franklin Parkway leading to the Philadelphia Art Museum (Photo credit: Grace Chapman)

More Value

More Value. Whether it is the complete five-day experience or a single-day registration, this conference offers you more ways to create the conference experience you want within your budget.

Since I came to the U.S. from Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 2006, I’ve heard over and over how difficult a tough economy is for non-profit organizations, especially smaller gardens. Missing an APGA annual conference because of tight budget is not fun. Last year’s APGA Conference in Atlanta was my first. For me it was quite the American festival, with host garden events that included dancing and biking. If all conferences are like that, I don’t want to miss any.

Bill Thomas, Executive Director at Chanticleer, enjoys one of the 2010 APGA Conference dinner at Atlanta Botanical Garden (photo by Kate Baltzell)

Well, here’s good news. Each day at the 2011 Revolutionary APGA Conference in Philadelphia is full of adventure. By choosing one-day Conference registration for $199 (early-bird fee), you get sessions, in-conference meals, garden tours, networking opportunities, ideas, friends and MORE. Grace Chapman of the Landscape Arboretum of Temple University Ambler says, "Personally, I'm happy that I can send each of my horticulture staff members to one or two days of the conference. I think APGA is an important networking opportunity for them, but coming from a small garden, my budget wouldn't have allowed me to send them for the whole conference."

Dr. Michael Dirr shows his nursery at last year's APGA Conference (photo by Dongah Shin)

The Revolutionary Conference registration brochure is now available, and descriptions of every program look amazing. I am sure whichever date(s) you choose, it will be MORE than worth it.

Posted by Dongah Shin, Longwood Graduate Fellow Class of 2011

MORE Public Gardens Than Anywhere Else on the Continent!

We're so excited APGA is coming to Philadelphia! With over 30 public gardens within 30 miles of greater Philadelphia, you can enjoy MORE gardens here than anywhere else in the continent! Really. I put together a short slide show of Greater Philadelphia Gardens to help you "Discover America's Garden Capital". I hope you'll comment on which gardens you know and love most, and which lesser known gems you can't wait to see MORE !

Discover America's Garden Capital by Louise Eliason Slideshow: Greater’s trip from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States to 3 cities Wilmington, Kennett Square and Camden was created by TripAdvisor. See another United States slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.

MORE Networking

More Networking. This will be the largest gathering of public garden professionals in North America this year! Meet and reconnect with fellow professionals from around the country.
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In a little more than four months (yikes-that's so soon!) I will dust off my name badge from last summer's APGA Conference in Atlanta (Atlanta Botanical Garden pictured to left) and zip up I-95 N to attend this year's MORE: The 2011 Revolutionary APGA Conference in Philadelphia. With MORE days to meet MORE people there's sure to be MORE networking.

By the time the Conference rolls around in June, I will have recently graduated from the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture so the Conference couldn't come at a better time. For me, the fabulous event will provide a chance to network with professionals from a great range of backgrounds and organizations. This year's gathering will offer even MORE time to interact during tours, meals, and sessions.

Dongah Shin, Longwood Graduate Program fellow, networking/talking shop with Brent Heath, Brent and Becky's Bulbs, at the 2010 APGA Conference

Not only do I look forward to meeting new professionals who could possibly be employers and future connections, but the chance to reconnect is important, too. Catching up with all the inspiring horticulture professionals (and friends!) I've met along the way will be manageable with MORE time at the Conference.

The networking opportunities are spectacular for a soon-to-be-graduate like myself. I can't wait to hear updates of what has been going on in the field and hopefully return with new friends...or a job. See y'all there for MORE networking!

Longwood Gardens' Conservatory

Post and photos by Kate Baltzell, Longwood Graduate Program Class of 2011

Top 10 Reasons to Attend

In these challenging economic times when every dollar counts, travel and professional development budgets are often among the first to be slashed. But this is exactly when opportunities to learn new ways to work smarter, more efficiently, and more innovatively are more precious than ever.

To help you, the soldiers in the field, make the case to your powers-that-be why you should attend the 2011 Revolutionary Conference in Philadelphia, we are happy to supply you with the below ammunition. With more relevant topics being covered, more networking opportunities, and more gardens to visit, there are more reasons than ever to justify attending.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend

(Imagine a Revolutionary War-era fife and drum corps playing in the background as you read on)

1. More Gardens. With one of the greatest concentrations of public gardens anywhere, the Philadelphia region is ready to roll out a week of unforgettable garden tours. Enjoy rarely seen private gardens and behind-the-scenes tours of some favorite public displays
   
2. More History. Not many APGA conference locations can compete with the historical offerings of Philadelphia. The conference has not been held in the city since 1998, and it’s unlikely it’ll be back here for at least another decade. Come enjoy this rare opportunity to experience the birthplace of horticultural innovation thanks to John Bartram and Ben Franklin.
   
3. More Networking. This will be the largest gathering of public garden professionals in North America this year! Meet and reconnect with fellow professionals from around the country.
   
4. More Time. The conference has expanded to five days, giving you more time to learn the latest trends in public garden administration, ideas for growing your membership base, innovative new ways to approach development, and more.
   
5. More Ideas. We have received more session and workshop submissions for this conference than any conference before, so get prepared to walk away with a record number of new ideas, tips, and tricks.
   
6. More Speakers. Get ready to hear from some of the best minds from outside the public garden world. Our lineup of speakers includes representatives from companies known the world over for their innovative ideas, their ability to turn new ideas into reality, and their ability to attract, hire, and retain creative thinkers who propel institutions forward.
   
7. More Options. Can’t commit to the five-day conference? Pick the one, two, three, or four days that are most relevant to you with new multi-day registration options. Just want to attend the keynote day? That’s fine! Want to pick two days? That’s fine, too. This conference offers you more ways than ever to tailor your experience to best suit your needs.
   
8. More Value. Whether it is the complete five-day experience or a single-day registration, this conference offers you more ways to create the conference experience you want within your budget.
   
9. More Connections. With sessions dedicated to informal idea-sharing, members of other garden-related associations in attendance, and staff from all facets of large and small public gardens, there is no better place to share and learn about latest trends and best practices.
   
10. More Cheesesteaks, Please…... Philly’s reasonably priced famous foods - soft pretzels, Italian sandwiches, hoagies, steaks, and other satiating fare - will keep you satisfied, without putting a big dent in your conference budget .