Presentation Formats

The 2026 Spring Call for Sessions is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted!

Poster Presentation - CLOSED

Displayed throughout the Conference, posters showcase a single program or research project in a graphic format using photographs, diagrams, plans, or charts with limited text printed on high-quality paper, fabric, or vinyl. Posters are an excellent way to present new ideas, concepts, and programs. We encourage you to learn about the "BetterPoster" movement here. BetterPoster format is optional but encouraged.

Posters should fit within a 4' x 4' area (you pick the size and orientation!). Posters will need to be hung prior to 5pm on Tuesday, June 9 and taken down by 5pm on Thursday, June 11. The official Poster Session will take place during Opening Reception on Tuesday, June 9, but opportunities to discuss posters with attendees will take place throughout the conference.

Rapid Fire Presentation (5-minute presentations) - CLOSED

Rapid Fire presentations are concise and dynamic 5-minute talks designed to showcase innovative programs, novel ideas, or impactful projects in a fast-paced and engaging format. These presentations offer a valuable opportunity to quickly disseminate your work to a broad audience, spark lively discussions, and potentially generate new collaborations. Rapid Fires emphasize clarity, conciseness, and impactful visual aids to effectively convey key takeaways within the allotted timeframe. The use of videos or website demonstrations during rapid fires is not recommended due to the brevity of the talk. Final presentations may be compiled by Association staff and presented using PDFs.

Connect Room - CLOSED

Connect Rooms are all about bringing people together! These informal, discussion-based gatherings offer a dedicated space to gather, network, and connect with like-minded individuals across the Association. Whether you want to host a meetup for international members, a coffee hour for specific professional tracks, or a casual brainstorming circle on a niche topic, Connect Rooms are the place to make it happen.

Successful proposals will focus on facilitation, not presentation—the goal is to spark conversation, not deliver a lecture. We are looking for hosts who can outline fun or compelling ways to engage their peers. If you have a group you want to bring together or a timely topic you’re passionate about, we invite you to lead the way!

Please note that Connect Rooms can be 30-,60-, or 90- minutes and will ONLY be set with chairs. There is no AV or tables available. 

Student Engagement Opportunities - CLOSED

As part of our dedicated "Student Day" on Tuesday, June 9, these opportunities offer students a professional platform to showcase their work and gain valuable speaking & networking experience. Students are invited to submit proposals for Posters (see above), Rapid Fires (5-minute presentations; see above), or Student Presentations (10- to 15-minute presentations; see below). Submissions are more likely to be accepted when the subject matter pertains directly to the field of public horticulture. This is an excellent opportunity to network with industry leaders, receive feedback, and build a professional presence.

Those students interested in presenting a full student presentation may present on their own or with other students. Presentations will need to be 15 minutes or less, including Q&A. Full presentations should focus on research, projects, or programming conducted by undergraduate, graduate, or professional students relevant to the field of public horticulture. 

Thank you to everyone who submitted to our Fall Call for Sessions! Notification of status was emailed to all submissions on January 6, 2026. Please check your spam if you did not receive an email.

The following session types were part of our Fall Call for Sessions and are now closed:

15-Minute BITE Presentation – Corporate Members ONLY - CLOSED

The BITE (Business Information & Technology Education) presentations have been specifically designed to enable our corporate members to connect with a wider audience. These concise 15-minute presentations provide corporate members with the opportunity to share their extensive industry knowledge with our members through an educational presentation. It is important to note that these presentations are not intended to be sales pitches.

30-Minute Individual Presentation - CLOSED

Presentations or discussions that are structured and focused on a single topic are highly encouraged, with one to two speakers recommended for the presentation. The time allocated for the presentation includes Q&A.

60 or 90-Minute Presentation - CLOSED

A variety of formats may be used to build 60- and 90-minute sessions, such as panel discussions, case study comparisons, interactive formats with small group breakouts, and more. Multiple presenters are encouraged to lend broader perspectives to these longer sessions. However, for 60-minute sessions, a maximum of 3 speakers is recommended, while for 90-minute sessions, up to 5 presenters are advised to ensure adequate time for each presenter. You are encouraged to contact your Program Selection Committee co-chair to discuss whether interactive formats such as breakouts and debates, engaging narratives or more formal multi-speaker panel style presentations are the right fit for your topic.

Workshop (Full or Half-Day) - CLOSED

This format is ideal for workshop leaders to share their knowledge in a focused learning opportunity. Workshops usually have an interactive, hands-on component to enhance the learning experience. Workshops require a workshop registration fee per attendee. The average workshop attendance is 15-20 participants. Half-day workshops are typically 3 hours and full-day workshops are typically 6 hours with lunch included.