The International Plant Propagators’ Society (IPPS) is an international association of plant production professionals whose primary mission is to advance the art and science of growing plants, and to disseminate knowledge throughout the global community from and to those engaged in plant production. Membership includes those with an interest in ornamental horticulture, vegetable and fruit plant production, floriculture, silviculture, plantation crop production, amenity horticulture, and all other fields related to the production of plants for public use.

IPPS has a worldwide membership of over 2,100 members. Currently, the membership is organized into eight geographic regions around the world, and has also initiated an “at-large” membership for those individuals located outside the geographic boundaries of the regions, but who still want to be part of this “Seek and Share” organization. From its inception in 1951 when a group of about 70 plant propagators met in Cleveland, Ohio, to share their knowledge and form the Society, IPPS has broadened into an international forum for sharing knowledge, information, skills, and resources that improve the productivity and professionalism of its members in the global plant production community.

Memberships in IPPS is for individuals. Many companies have multiple employees who are members of IPPS, but corporate membership does not currently exist. Members include:

• professionals with plant propagation/production careers in commercial businesses;
• those within academic institutions who conduct research or teach about plants;
• those engaged in the transfer of research findings to practical application by growers in such systems as Cooperative Extension in the United States and similar networks in other countries;
• those who work at botanical gardens and arboreta;
• breeders of horticultural varieties of crop and ornamental plants; and
• students pursuing appropriate related degrees.

The most tangible benefit of IPPS membership is the annual distribution of the Combined Proceedings – a compilation of papers presented at the annual conference held in each of the eight regions. This formidable collection of information – available in CD format or in an approximately 700-page hard-bound book – provides an ongoing reference of information from around the world by those whose share that knowledge at the conferences.
The highly valued intangible benefit is the opportunity to be with and communicate with those who have made a commitment to share their knowledge with others and to teach skills they have learned, both within their own countries, regions, or on a global scale.
Regions also provide newsletters to their members and engage in other ongoing communication; hold additional educational events such as shorter lectures and seminars, tours of commercial propagation/production facilities, field days to learn new skills and techniques, and social events to enhance the networking opportunities.

Members are encouraged to become actively involved in the leadership of their region, and possibly in the International Board group. Tours held as part of the International Board of Directors meeting in various parts of the world also introduce members to other propagation/production practices, new varieties of plants, and new perspectives.
The current regions of the Society are:

• Australian Region
• Eastern Region, North America
• IPPS Japan Region
• Region of Great Britain and Ireland
• New Zealand Region
• Southern Region of North America
• Western Region (USA and Canada)
• Southern African Region

IPPS has much to offer including opportunities to learn from each other and form long-lasting professional associations and friendships. The motto of this organization is “to seek and to share” and it has pursued that goal for over 50 years.

Information about IPPS, about the regions and their membership opportunities,
at-large membership, the International Tour, the Combined Proceedings, and other aspects of the Society is available on the website: www.ipps.org or by email to: Secretary@ipps.org