Schedule

20+ top speakers from the world’s most renowned gardens, tourism industry and media professionals,
Share their experiences and best practices in interactive panel sessions on:
- Destination Development: creating and enhancing visitors’ experiences and attractions, that increase visitation
- Destination Promotion: working with local/national tourism boards and (online) travel platforms and media to attract visitors and enhance the visitor journey.
Awards Gala
Unique networking opportunities and site-visits

The main topics and presentations titles are listed in the schedule below. More details will be added on a continuing basis towards July.

13.00 - 15.00
Registration at Doubletree Hotel

Please collect your conference badge and schedule at the conference desk at the Doubletree Hotel
15.00 - 20.00
Welcome to Victoria @Butchart Gardens!

Delegates are welcome to visit the famous Butchart Gardens for a tour and welcome reception & buffet. Departure from the Doubletree Hotel at 15.00
20.30 - 22.00
Seizing the moment Rendez Vous

Social gathering at the Doubletree Hotel

07:30 - 09:00
Conference Registration

Please collect your conference badge and schedule at the conference desk at the Victoria Convention Center
09:00 - 09.45
Opening Speeches

Welcome and conference warm up speeches.
09.45 - 10.45

What Makes a Garden a Destination?

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Dave Cowen
10.45 - 11.15
Break

In the conference hall
11.15 - 11.35

Trends in Garden Tourism

A key-note by Richard Benfield, acclaimed international researcher and author on Garden Tourism.

Speakers:

Richard Benfield
11.35 - 12.00

Shaping a visitor oriented organisation

Speakers:

Felix Loh
12:00 - 13:30
Luncheon - Canadian Garden Tourism Awards

Lunch will be served at the conference center
13:30 - 14.30

Knowing and delivering your tourist expectations

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Angela Cassie
14.30 - 15.30

The Pleasure Garden: the garden as a stage for cultural, art and social activities, exhibitions and events

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Anders J. Lindstrom

Michelle Day
15:30 - 16.00
Coffee Break

Coffee and refreshments will be served in the lobby
16.00 - 16.30

The Pleasure Garden: the garden as a stage for cultural, art and social activities, exhibitions and events

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Jason Koo

Robert Price
16.30 - 17.00

Keeping it real: garden identity and stories

Speakers:

Mary Pat Matheson
18.30 - 21.30
International Garden Tourism Awards Gala Dinner

Enjoy an evening with fine food, people and awards at Victoria's Union Club.
21.30 - 22.30
Seizing the moment Rendez Vous

Social gathering at the Doubletree Hotel

09:00 - 10:00

Creating Visibility and a Following

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Igor Josifovic-Kemper

Judith de Graaff
10:00 - 10:30

Emotional appeals of Gardens, Flowers and Food

Key Note Presentation

Speakers:

Pascal Garbe
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee Break

Served in the conference hall
11:00 - 12:00

Working with Tour Operators

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Linda Hart
12:00 - 13:30
North American Garden Tourism Award Luncheon

During this lunch we will recognise gardens across North America for their destination development and promotion accomplishments.
14:30 - 15:30

Working with Online Travel Platforms

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Paul Guthrie
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee Break

Coffee and refreshments will be served in the lobby
16:00 - 17:00

Festival/event appeal to tourists

Panel sessions consist of 2-3 speaker presentations followed by a discussion

Speakers:

Gwen Auwerda

Treve Evans
17:00 - 17:30
Conference wrap-up and closing remarks
18:30 - 20:30
Victoria Dine Around

Explore Victoria's dining scene together with old and new friends from the international gardens
20.30 - 22.00
Seizing the moment Rendez Vous

Social gathering at the Doubletree Hotel

09:00 - 16:00
Vancouver Island Tours

On Saturday there is ample opportunity to visit some of BC's most stunning gardens, sites and activities.
16.00 - 17.00
Seizing the moment Farewell Cocktail

Farewell drinks at the Doubletree Hotel

Share

Registration at Doubletree Hotel

Welcome to Victoria @Butchart Gardens!

Seizing the moment Rendez Vous

Conference Registration

Opening Speeches

What Makes a Garden a Destination?

Dave Cowen

Break

Trends in Garden Tourism

Richard Benfield

Shaping a visitor oriented organisation

Felix Loh

Luncheon - Canadian Garden Tourism Awards

Knowing and delivering your tourist expectations

Angela Cassie

The Pleasure Garden: the garden as a stage for cultural, art and social activities, exhibitions and events

Anders J. Lindstrom

Michelle Day

Coffee Break

The Pleasure Garden: the garden as a stage for cultural, art and social activities, exhibitions and events

Jason Koo

Robert Price

Keeping it real: garden identity and stories

Mary Pat Matheson

International Garden Tourism Awards Gala Dinner

Seizing the moment Rendez Vous

Creating Visibility and a Following

Igor Josifovic-Kemper

Judith de Graaff

Emotional appeals of Gardens, Flowers and Food

Pascal Garbe

Coffee Break

Working with Tour Operators

Linda Hart

North American Garden Tourism Award Luncheon

Working with Online Travel Platforms

Paul Guthrie

Coffee Break

Festival/event appeal to tourists

Gwen Auwerda

Treve Evans

Conference wrap-up and closing remarks

Victoria Dine Around

Seizing the moment Rendez Vous

Vancouver Island Tours

Seizing the moment Farewell Cocktail