Bus trip to "Pack Trials" planned

The January 29 deadline to register for a Greenhouse Grower’s trip to this year’s California Spring Trials (this used to be called the Pack Trials) is fast approaching.

An intense, educational and entertaining trip is planned to several of the key Spring Trial locations from April 10 -12, 2010. The trip is designed specifically for greenhouse growers and other floriculture professionals.

The trip itinerary is jam-packed; the days begin early and continue at a fast pace late into the evening. Attendees should plan to arrive on Friday, April 9 and will stay at a designated hotel near the San Jose Airport. The journey begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, when the bus departs from the hotel. That first day, the group will visit Pacific Plug & Liner and Agrexco in Watsonville, followed by Syngenta Flowers and Goldsmith Seeds in Gilroy, Speedling in San Juan Batista (along with exhibitors HEM Genetics, GreeNex USA, Schoneveld Twello, Thomson and Morgan, MasterTag, and Plant Source International and finally ending the day at American Takii in Salinas, with an optional stop at Matsui Nursery. Participants will stay in Salinas on Saturday night.

On Sunday, April 11, the day will begin with a bus drive to San Luis Obispo, where the first stop will be Dummen USA. After a short drive to Arroyo Grande, the group will visit Greenheart Farms to celebrate their 30th anniversary. The last stop of the day will be in Santa Barbara where the participants will visit Jiffy Products along with their exhibitors Northern Innovators Inc., Skagit Gardens, Florist de Kwakel, and GGG-international.

Monday, April 12, will be a busy day beginning with the bus departing at 7 a.m. and driving to Carpinteria to visit PlantHaven, HIP Labels, and Westflowers. Following this stop, the group will arrive at Santa Paula to visit Ball Horticultural Co. along with Ball FloraPlant, Selecta First Class, PanAmerican Seed Co., and Kieft Seeds. Lunch will be hosted by Ball. In the afternoon, Green Fuse Botanicals will be visited along with GroLink in Oxnard. The last stop of the day will be in Somis, CA to visit Suntory. Participants will spend Monday night at a hotel in West Hollywood, CA. This hotel is conveniently located midway between the Los Angeles (LAX) airport and the Burbank Airport. There is a shuttle service and taxi service to both of these airports from the hotel.

This package trip includes the cost of first class hotel accommodations for four nights from April 9-12, bus transportation from the first day to on the last day, lunches for 3 days, and experienced guides. Participants need to arrange their own transportation into San Jose on April 9 and out of West Hollywood on April 12, and cover their own dinner costs. A travel agency is available to assist with plane reservations (go to the website listed below). The cost of the trip will be $450 per person in a double room or $720 per person for a single room. These rates are based on 47 participants and will be adjusted slightly if minimum capacity is not met. The trip is subject to change.

**Space is limited** Register by January 29, 2010 to reserve a seat on this trip. For on-line reservation, go to www.concepts.us.com and click on Event Registration at the bottom left of the site. Be sure to go to the site labeled: Greenhouse Growers Spring Trials 2010. If you have questions, contact Dr. Mark Bridgen at mpb27@cornell.edu or at 631-727-3595.

This group trip to the 2010 California Spring Pack Trials is a new, one-of-a-kind venture for growers! All greenhouse growers and floriculture professionals are invited to attend. It is an opportunity to meet fellow growers, breeders, and other plant company representatives to share ideas, update your understanding of what's happening in our industry, and travel with trained professionals.