Short notice Connect Room idea for APGA Annual Conference

[Trent Erickson]

The final APGA Annual Conference Spring Call for Sessions is due at 3pm (EST) Friday, Feb. 20^th (today). I like the idea of this group potentially helping to facilitate a Connect Room at this year's annual conference (June 8-12 in San Francisco) and wondered if anyone else felt the same, thus I’ve been thinking about submitting a proposal for a New to Mapping & GIS Connect Room.

Unfortunately, this is really short of notice for what I am asking, but I am wondering if anyone else from the Plant Mapping Meetup Group might be interested in helping to facilitate such a Connect Room for those beginner stage GIS’ers such as myself. I think it would be much better to have co-facilitators for what could turn into a large group based on the attendance at last year's GIS session. Or perhaps if I knew I would have the support of the Plant Mapping Meetup Group, I could potentially submit a proposal on behalf of the group. Let me know what you think, and I apologize for this being so last minute (I really should have thought of this sooner and brought it up yesterday at the tea-time meeting.)

I would be willing to try to submit something over my lunch break if there would be support for this.

Thank you,

-Trent

Trent Erickson

Plant Collections & Horticulture Manager

Lauritzen Gardens

Omaha, Nebraska

[Nick Kreevich]

Hey Trent et al.,

I won't be able to attend this year, but wishing you the best in your recruitment. Also wishing the best to anyone that is presenting this year! 

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Nick Kreevich
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Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Drive

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[Jena Portanova]

Howdy, Trent,

I apologize I didn't get to this message sooner.   If it's not late you could always submit a draft outline and follow up with the committee as it evolves. Keep us posted on how it evolves if you move forward. 

JP

JP

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[Trent Erickson]

I just wanted to thank everyone who replied and for the support of this group. 

Unfortunately we were also dealing with a snow storm on Friday which delayed my efforts to submit the Beginner GIS Connect Room proposal.
By the time I was able to draft the proposal and hit the submit button it was 3pm on the dot, and when they say the deadline is 3pm, they mean it, because the system would not allow me to submit it at that point. 

Just a little too short on time that day; perhaps this could be an idea for a future conference.

Again, thank you all. I truly appreciate this group and the support you all provide.

Sincerely,

Trent

Trent Erickson

Plant Collections & Horticulture Manager

Lauritzen Gardens

[Trent Erickson]

Update on GIS Connect Room idea for APGA Annual Conference:

At the request of Jena Portanova and Jaime Frye, I was allowed to submit the proposal late due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding the due date. 

In the end it was still rushed, but it will be considered. A big thank you to Lauren and the APGA selection committee for allowing that.

I am attaching a copy of the proposal so everyone can see what was submitted and feel free to use it as a starting point if anyone in this group wants to make a similar future submission.
I will let this group know if the GIS Connect Room idea is accepted or not, which I should find out in late March. 

If it does get accepted, I would be truly grateful for any help with the facilitation of this Connect Room from anyone planning to attend the APGA Annual Conference in San Francisco (June 8-12). 

More info to come in late March.

Again, I want to thank everyone in this group for all your assistance and support.

Sincerely

-Trent

Trent Erickson

Plant Collections & Horticulture Manager

Lauritzen Gardens

[Laura Murray]

Hi Trent,

Thanks for putting this proposal together. I like this idea and would be happy to assist in facilitating, if the proposal for the GIS Connect Room is selected. I will be at APGA 2026.

Best,

Laura Knutson Murray | IrisBG

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[Trent Erickson]

The proposed Plant Mapping and GIS Connect Room for the Annual Conference has been accepted, although the date and time has not yet been announced. I will let everyone know this information when I find out.

Please let me know if any of you are attending and interested in helping with this at the APGA annual conference in San Francisco this year. I believe the last day for early bird registration is April 10th. 

Thank you all again for all the help.

Sincerely,

-Trent Erickson

Plant Collections & Horticulture Manager

Lauritzen Gardens

Omaha, Nebraska

Thank you for your submission for the 2026 Annual Conference: Inspiring Innovation Spring Call for Sessions.  

Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your Connect Room submission, Plant Mapping and GIS Connect Room, has been accepted!  

Connect Rooms are all about bringing people together!

As you prepare to host your Connect Room, please remember that these are meant to be informal, discussion-based gatherings. Design your Connect Room to be a place where you can network, discuss topics of interest, and connect with your peers. 

Please remember the following:

• Rooms will be set up with 50 chairs (theater style) on one side of the room and 8 round tables with 10 chairs each on the other side of the room. 
• Large easel notepads and markers are available for your use. Please pick these up at the registration desk. You are responsible for bringing these back to the registration desk when you are done. Items are available on a first come first serve basis. 
• AV equipment is not provided.
• Please return the room to its original set up before you leave the room and clean up after yourselves.

Schedule
All Connect Rooms and their locations will be listed in the conference schedule by mid-April. 

Conference Website & Registration
To finalize your participation and begin planning your trip, please visit the conference website to complete your registration at your earliest convenience. The site also contains essential information regarding reserving room blocks at the conference hotel, the conference schedule, and travel tips to help you prepare for your time with us.

Updates, Questions, & Contact Info
If something has changed between your submission and now (speakers, ability to attend, updates to descriptions, etc.) and/or you have any questions, please email me.

During the Conference, I will be your onsite point of contact for any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Jeanette Henderson
Community Coordinator