2013 International Trials Conference

If you conduct or use plant trials, don’t miss this cutting-edge conference focusing on the latest research and techniques of trialing annual, perennial and woody plants. Professionals from around the world will converge to share ideas, evaluation strategies, and the importance of trials to each component of the supply chain.

Registration

Fees

$299 Prior to July 2, 2013
$399 July 3, 2013 and later
$199 Students (full-time students with valid ID)
$79 Post-conference tour

For more information, please contact us at trialsconference@longwoodgardens.org.

Student Travel Awards are available for the International Trials Conference. Awards cover conference registration costs and include a $250 stipend toward travel. Application deadline is June 14.

Conference Features

Enjoy four days of tours and learning sessions featuring topics on trialing annual, perennial, and woody plants. The final learning session will focus on the importance of plant trials to each component of the supply chain including: breeding, trial management, marketing, wholesale and retail sales and consumer preferences. This session will close with a consumer panel discussion and presentation of a survey on consumer trends.

Tours stops include:

The post conference tour will include visits to Chanticleer, Mt. Cuba, and Terrain.

Schedule

Monday, September 16

12:00 pm: Registration open
6:30–8:00 pm: Opening Reception in Longwood’s grand Conservatory

Tuesday, September 17

8:00 am–4:45 pm: Running Plant Trials for Annual, Perennial, and Woody Plants
Speakers include:

Dr. Allan Armitage, University of Georgia
Dr. Michael Dirr, Plant Introductions, Inc.
Jim Gardiner, Royal Horticultural Society
Dr. Bernd Hertle, Weihenstephan University, Germany
Timothy Howard, Clarity Connect
Steve Hutton, Star Roses and Plants
Tomohiro Kamogawa, Sakata Seed, Japan
Greg Soles, Star Roses and Plants

6:30–9:00 pm: Reception, Keynote, Dinner and Private Fountain Show
Keynoter Paul E. Schickler, President, DuPont Pioneer
Paul E. Schickler is president of DuPont Pioneer, the advanced seed genetics business of DuPont. In this role, which he has held since 2007, he has continued to expand Pioneer’s global business by remaining focused on innovation that improves local productivity and profitability of farmers in more than 90 countries.

Wednesday, September 18

8:00 am–5:00 pm: Trial Garden Tours
See some of the region’s finest trial gardens including Penn State Landisville (annuals and vegetables); Green Leaf/Aris (perennials) and Star Roses and Plants/NovaFlora (woody plants).

Thursday, September 19

8:00 am–5:00 pm: The Importance of Trials through the Plant Chain
In addition to sessions, the day includes a tour of Longwood’s plant trials including its new genera-based Trial Garden.

Speakers include:

Diane Blazek, All American Selections
Jim Nau, Ball
Kathy Miller, Trial Nurseries
Dr. Kate Santos, Costa Farms
Lauri Scullin, The New Product Group
Dr. Mike Uchneat, Garden Genetics

Friday September 20

8:00 am–6:00 pm: Post Conference Tour

Abstracts

Interested in presenting at the conference? Abstracts are being accepted for session topics including:

Intellectual property protection
Native plants
Climate change
University and commercial trials
Breeding
Award programs

Submit an abstract online. Abstracts must be submitted by Friday, June 14, 2013.

Hotels

We have secured a block of discounted rooms at the following local hotels for conference attendees. Information about the hotels can be viewed by visiting their websites. Discounted room rates are accessed after you register for the conference by following the active link in your confirmation e-mail.

Shuttle Service

Delaware Express will offer conference participants a 10% discount single-passenger rides to and from the Philadelphia International Airport, and a 20% discount multi-passenger rides. To make a reservation, please call 302-454-7800 ext 630 and ask for Cheryl. Mention reference profile #243899 to receive the discount. You can also make a reservation online.