43^RD ANNUAL MEETING "SEEK AND SHARE: A SOUTHWESTERN APPROACH"

 

An Overview | Pre Conference Tour | The Program | Poster Session | Return Home |

Dear IPPS Members and Guests:

You are invited to the 43^rd Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held in the beautiful Southwest of Mesa Arizona! This year’s meeting will be held at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel and Convention Center from October 30 to November 2. Mesa is conveniently located near Arizona State University, Phoenix and Tempe.

Our program theme, - "Seek and Share: A Southwestern Approach" highlights the variety of talks on propagation, new propagation technology, aeroponic systems, and tissue culture – hybrid systems. The general session opens on Thursday morning with keynote address on the Sonoran desert plant life forms by Dr. Joseph McAuliffe, Research Ecologist at Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona. General sessions on Thursday morning and afternoon and Friday afternoon features a variety of topics on propagation and topics on Mycorrihal fungi in plant production.

PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR - (TUCSON AND SURROUNDING AREAS)

The highlights of 2-day pre-conference tour include visits to: Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum, Nursery production of SW desert tree species, University of Arizona research greenhouses, World-renowned Cactus and Succulent production, Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, Desert restoration and tree salvage and University of Arizona Campus Arboretums.

POSTER SESSION

We would like to invite all Member including students to participate in the poster session. You can use photographs of special techniques or tools that you use in propagation. For more information on the poster session, contact: Dr. Chris Martin; Department of Plant Biology. POB 871601, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1601 - Phone: 480.965.5952: Fax: 480.965.8899: Email: Chris.Martin@asu.edu

COMMERCIAL / EDUCATION EXHIBITS

Commercial firms will be displaying their equipment and products related to plant propagation and production at this years meeting. There will be approximately 12-13 vendors at the meeting. Interested companies can contact Fernando Reyna; Phone: 480-965-9471.

PROPAGATION AND NEW PLANT DEMONSTRATION

A special session on Thursday night has been planned to display various propagation tools and techniques. We also encourage you to bring new plants (photographs or live) for display at this session. If you would like to participate in this event, please contact: Jack Kelly @ 520.626.5161 or Fax 520.626.5846. Email: jackelly@ag.arizona.edu

BANQUET NIGHT SPEAKER

Dr. Merle Jensen of University of Arizona is a guest speaker for our banquet on Friday night. Dr. Jensen is an Assistant Dean for Agriculture Sponsored Research and Associate Director of the Agriculture Experiment Station, University of Arizona at Tucson. He is one of America’s leading agricultural scientist on the subject of controlled environment agriculture. He also served as team leader to develop the agricultural systems for the "The Land" at EPCOT, Walt Disney World. We look forward to hearing a very interesting talk.

SILENT AUCTION

We encourage you to bring donated items for silent auction. We would encourage you to bring unusual plants, books, gift certificates, horticultural tools, etc. If you wish to donate any items, please contact: Emilie Speciale @ 602.569.6604 or Fax 602.569.0064 - Email: specialem22@yahoo.com; Proceeds from the auction will be used to support Western Region Programs.

TOURS

We have organized tours on, Friday (November 1^st), morning (half-day) and all day on Saturday (November 2^nd); we will visit Arid Zone Trees and V&P Nurseries, Inc. On Friday. Lunch will be provided at V&P Nurseries location. Waldron Farms, Desert Tree Farm, Mountain States Nursery, Desierto Verde Inc. and Dixileta Gardens have been scheduled for Saturday tour. The 1½-day tour will allow you to experience a variety of propagation and growing conditions of arid and semi-arid landscape ornamentals.

SHERATON MESA HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER

SITE OF ANNUAL MEETING

The Sheraton – Mesa hotel can accommodate 273 spacious, newly renovated guestrooms, including 10 suites, 45 concierge and business level rooms. All guest rooms feature in room movies, data points, oversized desk, voice mail, irons, full ironing board, coffee makers, hair dryers and mini refrigerators. Hotel also has air-conditioned facilities, restaurant and other services. The Sheraton is located at 200 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. (Phone: 480.898.8300 - 1.800.325.3535) 1.800.456.6372 Web: www.SheratonMesa.com

AIR TRAVEL TO MESA, AZ

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport provides convenient access to annual meeting. Complimentary shuttle service is available within 5 miles radius of the hotel. Please contact:

Star Night Limousines @ 866.250.LIMO (Toll Free) for requesting shuttle service between hotel and the airport. ($12 each way).

DIRECTIONS FROM PHOENIX AIRPORT TO SHERATON HOTEL LOBBY

Follow airport exit signs directing you towards East Valley Cities. These signs will direct you to 202 East to County Club Road Exit. Turn right (south) on county club road exit. Head south on County Club to Main Street. Turn left (north) on Centennial Way. Go two blocks north and the Sheraton will be directly in front of you.

HOTEL RESERVATION FORM ENCLOSED

The IPPS room rate is $99 for single, or double occupancy $119 and $129 for triple and quad. Rate. The rate is good for three days before and three after the conference (based on room availability). Please make your room reservation by September 30, 2002 to assure the specified room rents.

ACCESIBILITY

If you have special hearing, dietary or other physical limitations, please contact the hotel before you arrive. If you require special access for transportation on the tours, please contact:

Ken Morrow @ 602.828.8265. Protect yourself from sun in Arizona. Although end of October will be quite pleasant, for most people we would advise you to bring sun hats and sunscreen. If you have any questions or need help, please contact:

CONTACTS

To finance our annual meeting, we are seeking the support of sponsors. Your donation will help in reducing registration costs and make the annual meeting a successful and enjoyable learning experience! For more information about the sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dr. Sheila Bhattacharya.

We look forward to seeing you in our unique sonoran desert environment.

Program Chair and first vice-president