October 18 @ 5:00 pm – October 22 @ 12:00 pm
Airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Click here to see the 2026 Annual Meeting brochure
Schedule at a Glance
Dates: Sunday 18 October – Thursday 22 October
Annual Meeting Hotel Address: DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport 15747 JFK Blvd, Houston, TX 77032
Shuttle from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Call the hotel to schedule the shuttle 281-848-4000
Sunday 18 October
- 4-8pm Registration Open & Auction Items Accepted (Dallas & Houston)
- 8-10pm: Board Meeting (Scottsdale & Tucson)
Monday 19 October
- 7:30am Load buses on backside of hotel near the conference center entrance
- 5:30pm Dinner at Houston Botanic Garden
- 7pm Depart for DoubleTree Hotel
Tuesday 20 October
- 6:30-7:30am Fellow Breakfast (Scottsdale & Tucson)
- 8am Education Sessions Begin
- 10:15-11:45 The Charles’ Student Research Competition
- 12-1:30pm Lunch on Your Own
- 1:30 Education Sessions Resume
- 5:30pm Silent Auction Closes
- 6pm: Social Cash Bar (Ballroom Foyer)
- 7pm: Awards Banquet and Live Auction
- 9-11pm: Auction checkout (Ballroom Foyer)
Wednesday 21 October
- 7:30am Load buses on backside of hotel near the conference center entrance
- 4:40 Buses depart for DoubleTree Hotel
- 5:30-8:15pm Dinner on Your Own
- 8:15 Ice Cream Social (Monterey & Seattle)
- 9-10pm: Question Box (Monterey & Seattle)
Thursday 22 October
- 8am Educations Sessions Begin
- 9:15am-10:15 Annual Meeting, Elections & Passing of the Gavel
- 10:30-12pm: Education Sessions
- 12:30-2pm: Board Meeting & Lunch (Scottsdale & Tucson)
Host Hotel
Our host hotel is the DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport, and is located two miles from the terminals at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). A free shuttle service to and from the airport is available. Call the hotel to schedule the shuttle: 281-848-4000
OUR HOTEL BLOCK HAS CLOSED. If you are in need of lodging please look at nearby locations.
- Arrive: Sunday 18 October 2026
- Depart: Thursday 22 October 2026
2026 Live & Silent Auction
Thank you to auction chairs Dr. Andrew King and Bill Barr for coordinating the annual live and silent auction which directly supports the IPPS Southern Region Student Endowment!
Have something special to donate? Auction items will be accepted in the Dallas and Houston rooms near the registration desk. Your generous donations directly support the IPPS Southern Region Student Endowment, helping provide educational opportunities and support for the next generation of horticulture professionals.
AUCTION ITEM DROP-OFF
- Sunday, October 18 from 4-8 PM
- Monday, October 19 from Noon–9 PM
SILENT AUCTION
- Tuesday, October 20 from 8 AM–5:30 PM
LIVE AUCTION
- Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 PM
- Following the Awards Banquet
AUCTION CHECKOUT
- Tuesday, October 20: 9-11 PM
Please click here for more auction details
2026 Educational Sessions
The 2026 IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting will feature an outstanding lineup of educational sessions designed to inspire, inform, and connect horticulture professionals from across the industry. Attendees will hear from leading academic researchers, nursery professionals, and innovative industry leaders as they share the latest advances in plant production, propagation, new crop development, sustainability, technology, and business management. Whether you are a grower, researcher, educator, student, or supplier, these engaging presentations will provide practical knowledge, fresh ideas, and valuable insights that can be applied directly to your work.
Please see the annual meeting brochure for the schedule.
2026 Tour Stops
Two days of tours are a highlight of the IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting, offering attendees the opportunity to explore some of the most innovative nurseries, research facilities, and horticultural operations in the host region. These behind-the-scenes visits provide valuable insight into production practices, new technologies, and plant diversity while fostering meaningful conversations among growers, researchers, and industry leaders. The tours embody the IPPS mission to “seek and share” knowledge through firsthand learning and professional exchange.
Thank You Local Site Committee
Site Chair: Paul Winski (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Members:
- Mark Rainey (Rancho Encino Tree Farm)
- Bill Barr (Retired Everde Growers)
- Drew Tidmore (Greenleaf Nursery)
- Jessica Lowery (Creekside Nursery)
- Robert Grove (Brookwood Horticulture)
- Brad Abrameit (Magnolia Gardens Nursery)
Auction Coordinators:
- Dr. Andrew King
- Bill Barr
Sponsorship Details
The International Plant Production Society, Southern Region of North America, cordially invites you to sponsor our upcoming annual meeting, scheduled for October 18–22, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Intercontinental Airport 15747 JFK Blvd, Houston, TX 77032.
Event Overview: This highly anticipated event gathers professionals from across the green industry and academia for unparalleled educational programs and tours. Your sponsorship plays a pivotal role in managing costs and ensuring our members access the best opportunities available in horticulture today.
Your Sponsorship Impact: By sponsoring our event, you contribute directly to the success of this significant horticultural gathering. Detailed sponsorship levels and benefits are enclosed for your review.
Next Steps: For more information on the event and sponsorship opportunities, please download the materials below. A member of our event planning committee will follow up with you soon to discuss how we can collaborate effectively. We eagerly anticipate your participation in this influential event shaping the future of horticulture in our region.
Best regards,
Dr Kevin Parris Sponsorship Chair: parrisk@sccsc.edu
Paul Winski Local Site Chair: paul.winski@ag.tamu.edu
Thank You 2026 Sponsors
