2024 Annual Conference Sessions

Digital Content Contracts: Navigating Garden Brand Partnerships for Social Media Creators

Matthew Ingram

Explore the ins and outs of contracting with garden brands and their social media teams. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, this session offers invaluable insights you should know. Learn essential contracting tips and hone your issue-spotting skills to ensure smooth collaborations with content creation media partners in the gardening niche. From understanding key clauses to negotiating terms, discover how to protect your interests while fostering successful partnerships. Don't miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to advance your skills and revenue in the world of garden brand collaborations.

Personalizing Your Content: Navigating the Garden Content Journey

Valerie Smith & Lucy Mercer

Learn how to craft a content strategy that speaks to your audience personally. Understand how to map out your audience's journey, anticipate their needs, and refine your approach through methods like A/B testing and personalized emails. Discover the delicate balance between personalization and privacy and equip yourself with the tools to create content that resonates with your audience. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned content creator, this presentation provides valuable insights into making your content feel truly personal to your audience.

Garden Vlogs: Social Media Strategies for Growth

Heather Andrews & Susan Mulvihill

Explore the power of video blogging and creating gardening content for social media. Learn how to establish and nurture your online presence, crafting engaging content to connect with your audience. Discover effective techniques for creating compelling gardening tutorials and vlogs tailored for social media platforms. Whether you're new to vlogging or a seasoned creator, this session offers practical tips to cultivate your online community and foster green-thumb camaraderie. Don't miss this opportunity to share your passion with the world through vlogging.

Amazon Affiliates: Strategies to Boost Your Earnings

Noelle Johnson

Don't miss out on potential income. Join us in this session to learn how to optimize your affiliate strategy and boost your earnings. Discover strategies to leverage the Influencer program and tap into additional earning opportunities. We'll explore how to strategically turn Amazon's affiliate program into a lucrative income stream for your garden business. If you've ever sought after new sources of income and revenue for your business, this session will help unlock your earning potential.

Cannabis Communications: Insights for Horticultural Content Creators

C.L. Fornari

Unravel the complexities of discussing cannabis in your content. Explore strategies for assisting others in growing this plant while adhering to state regulations and respecting diverse perspectives. Drawing from years of experience, C.L. Fornari shares valuable insights on creating educational programs around cannabis cultivation without providing medical or recreational advice. Learn how to navigate the nuanced landscape of cannabis communication with confidence and sensitivity. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and approach to discussing this growing topic.

From Fears to Cheers: A Guide to Short Form Social Media Content Creation

Erin Alladin

Unlock the secrets of short-form video for social media for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. This session is tailored for horticultural content creators who want to kickstart their short-form video journey and overcome fears to get started. Discover your creative strengths, craft impactful content, and reach your audience effortlessly. Learn about free editing tools, optimize your reach, and how to monetize your content without hassle. Don't let intimidation hold you back—discover the easiest ways to create captivating videos for your channel and income growth.

Plant Expeditions: Discovery and Insights for Horticultural Professionals

Galen Gates

This session is a journey through the world of botanical exploration. Learn about the processes involved in collecting and preserving plant specimens, crucial for maintaining authenticity. Discover how these expeditions support various industries, from research in public gardens to driving commercial horticulture. Uncover the significance of provenance and the impact it has on the botanical trade. This presentation offers valuable insights into the intersection of plant exploration and commerce.

Nature's Partnerships: Native Plants and Pollinators

Lorraine Johnson

Explore the intricate relationships between native plants and pollinators. Discover the lesser-known interactions and dependencies that our gardens can foster, from pollen-specialist bees to trickster plants. Learn about the fascinating world of co-evolved relationships, including zombie caterpillars and farmer ants. Get inspiration from the complexity of these connections and understand why supporting these networks is crucial for biodiversity. This session will offer horticultural communicators valuable insights into the hidden world of native plant and pollinator relationships.

Unearthing the Hidden World: The Rhizosphere Revealed

Louise Clarke

Discover the dynamic ecosystem thriving around plant roots, where a complex web of life flourishes. From fungal alliances to crucial bacterial interactions, this presentation unveils the secrets of the rhizosphere. Whether you're a novice or an experienced horticultural communicator, join us to explore how understanding life underground can transform your content. Gain insights into the intricate dynamics between plants, microbes, and soil, and learn how these relationships can help achieve agricultural and gardening success.

Horticultural Science: Connecting Audiences with Plant, Gardening, and Landscape Insights

Panel Discussion

Explore the process of how the industry shares science-based information in the realm of plants, gardening, and landscapes. Discover how to find and utilize relevant and engaging scientific data with ease. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced creator, learn how to incorporate science-based horticultural information into your content and strategy effectively. Join the conversation as we foster connections that benefit both creators and the gardening public, shaping a more informed and engaged community. Lead by GardenComm member, Sylvia Gordon of National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) with panelists; Dr. Natalie Bumgarner, Mason Day, Pam Bennett.

Moving Beyond Social Responsibility: Green Industry Businesses Look to Measure Sustainable Efforts and Impact

Warren Gorowitz

Discover initiatives that green industry businesses are developing to measure their environmental and social impact. Explore how through the use of technology including AI, they are able to run complex data analyses to highlight opportunities for improvement and measure their program success. Horticultural communicators will learn how they play a pivotal role in this process by sharing what’s happening in the industry to other suppliers and growers and why these efforts matter to the end consumer.

Power of Pinterest: Reach New Audiences and Grow your Garden Business

Gail Pabst

Using the experience and success that National Garden Bureau (NGB) has learned and utilized, this informative session will show you how to leverage Pinterest to reach new audiences and grow your garden business. You'll learn the NGB-proven strategies for creating captivating content, building a strong following, and driving traffic to your website or blog. You'll also gain valuable insights into finding and understanding Pinterest's audience, crafting pins, utilizing SEO best practices, and implementing effective analytics to measure your success.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Eco-Conscious Gardening Communications

Lois de Vries and Debra Knapke

Join us for an engaging session on avoiding common mistakes in garden communications. Learn how to sidestep pitfalls when discussing eco-conscious gardening. This interactive session will not tell you what to think, but rather how to communicate effectively about pressing issues in gardening today. Discover how to craft precise and scientifically accurate stories while avoiding broad statements that can undermine your message. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced creator, this session will enhance your ability to communicate about gardening and the environment accurately and effectively.

Repurposing Your Content: Maximizing Reach Across Digital Platforms

Panel Discussion

Join us for this panel discussion with Rick Vuyst, Stacey Hirvela and Adriana Robinson, as we share our experience with Gardening Simplified, an award-winning radio show that we've successfully transformed into a podcast and YouTube series. Over the past two years, we've built a loyal audience across these platforms, achieving over two million views on YouTube. Learn how to repurpose your existing content to expand your audience and drive engagement across multiple channels. We’ll discuss time management, content adaptation, and technical tips. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced creator, this session offers practical strategies to make the most of your content. We'll also answer your questions about our process in developing our content.

Growing Your Personal Brand: How to Standout on the Social Media Landscape

Sarah Walsh

Making a name for yourself amidst a sea of influencers and brands can be challenging. With social media platforms and inboxes overflowing, you might wonder if building a personal brand is worth the effort. Whether you want to cultivate a community of gardening enthusiasts or become a mega influencer, it's crucial to know how to stand out online. In this session, we will help you identify the right online brand for you, discover where to find your community, and outline the steps you need to take to succeed. Join us to learn effective strategies for growing your personal brand in today's social media landscape.

Lessons from Our Ancestors: How Slavery Help Shape Today's Horticultural Practices

Joseph McGill and Herb Frazier

Join us for a journey into horticultural history with Joseph McGill and Herb Frazier, authors of "Sleeping with The Ancestors." Explore how slaves contributed to agriculture and horticulture in our country. This lecture will shed light on the often-overlooked role of enslaved people in shaping our agricultural landscape. You'll gain a deeper understanding of this important aspect of history and its impact on today's gardening practices.

Marketing Your Book: Proven Strategies from a Publishing Professional

Erin Alladin

The level of energy and know-how needed to market a book can be daunting. Publishing professional, Erin began her career as a book publicist, and today uses the skills she learned in that role to efficiently and effectively market her own books. Whether you want to stick to the basics of launching a book, uncover ongoing media opportunities, or grab your publishing career with both hands and build a true platform, this session will equip you with the professional tools you need for success.