To view the conference "pdf" flyer and registration form, click HERE.

Dec. - 3 more speakers confirmed - see below.

Nov. - The optional bus tour with dinner to McLaren Vale on the Sunday afternoon/evening is fully subscribed. If there is sufficient interest amongst people still to register for the conference, we could try to arrange a tour of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens during that afternoon instead.

Nov. - Updated Conference Registration flyer - click HERE to register. *Note* - Early Bird rates will end soon.

Nov. - To help towards the costs of running this conference, we will be running one national raffle in 2009, with the raffle tickets probably posted out in January. The draw will take place at the conference dinner on Saturday night, 11 April.

Oct. - Conference Program - a first look at the approximate schedule is now available - see bottom of this page.

Oct. - The optional winery and dinner tour to McLaren Vale on the Sunday afternoon is almost completely booked out, and we will certainly not be accepting many more people. We will probably drop it from future registration forms. If anyone still desperately wants to take part in this great value optional tour, they had better book by the middle of October.

Oct. - The cheaper rooms at The Meridien (the conference venue) have been booked. They still have some executive rooms at a conference rate of $155 if people really want to stay there.
However, a new hotel, the Majestic Minima, has just opened nearby, about a five minute walk away. I must admit that I have not yet seen it, and suspect the rooms are smaller. There is limited parking, and it is probably not free. But I have attached a special offer they have made if people wish to stay there rather than pay the higher rate at The Meridien. It looks to be a fair deal, especially if you quote the "conference" password. Click here for a flyer and details about the Majestic Minima.

Oct. - A new information "flyer" is being prepared with more conference details - "Coming soon, waiting for a few speakers to confirm".

Oct. - Legal ramifications for bringing plants into, and out of, S.A. (to best of our knowldge).
Plants from Western Australia must be accompanied by a certificate against green snail.
Potted plants from/to some parts of Queensland must be accompanied by a certificate against red fire ant.
Plants from S.A. to W.A. - only those allowed on a W.A. Government "list".

Sept. - Very Early Early (cheaper) registration date has now passed. So book now to avoid dissapointment!

Sept. - The 3 presentations from our key speaker, Dr. Jason Grant, have been finalised :
* * * Travelogue of Jason’s Ecuadorian travels, perhaps also including some pictures from Colombia and Peru.
* * * Famous Bromeliad botanists, focusing on C. Jacques Edouard Morren and Lyman B. Smith. Their contributions to the history of bromeliads will be covered, as well as species named in their honour. The Smith section will be similar to what Jason has presented elsewhere, e.g. The Smithsonian, but the Morren material is all new, and Australia will be the first place Jason will talk about this (he is working on a book that will be published through Royal Botanical Gardens Kew).
* * * Alcantarea and Werauhia in the context of Vriesea. Jason is the recognised authority on these two genera.

Dr. Jason Grant :
* * * Travelogue of Jason’s Ecuadorian travels, perhaps also including some pictures from Colombia and Peru.
* * * Famous Bromeliad botanists, focusing on C. Jacques Edouard Morren and Lyman B. Smith. Their contributions to the history of bromeliads will be covered, as well as species named in their honour. The Smith section will be similar to what Jason has presented elsewhere, e.g. The Smithsonian, but the Morren material is all new, and Australia will be the first place Jason will talk about this (he is working on a book that will be published through Royal Botanical Gardens Kew).
* * * Alcantarea and Werauhia in the context of Vriesea. Jason is the recognised authority on these two genera.

Michael Romanowski: Photographing Bromeliads in Habitat and Cultivation.

Kerry Tate: A Frosty Experience – Before, During and After.

Greg Aizlewood: Bromeliads – Around the World.

Mark Paul: Bromeliads in Cultivation in Landscape, from Garden to Greenwalls.

Mark Paul: Alcantareas in Habitat and Cultivation.

Adam Bodzioch: Bigenerics.

Margaret Paterson: Gympie Hybrids: Tillandsias and New Neoregelias.

Nigel Thomson: Out of Africa, Into Oz.

Andrew Flower: Tillandsias: Their Infinite Beauty and Form.

Friday, 10 April
Morning: set up displays downstairs and upstairs.
Unload and set up sales plants in M2.
Afternoon:
1:30 – 5:00pm - Registration
3:30 – 4:30pm - Talk in M4
5:00 – 6:00pm - Cocktail Reception

Saturday, 11 April
8:45 – 9:10am - Late registration
9:10 – 9:20am - Official opening in M4.
9:20 – 10:10am - Talk in M4
10:10 – 10:30am - Coffee & tea with sweet scones and savoury scrolls, served in M4
10:30 – 11:15am - Talk in M4
11:15am – 12:00noon - Talk in M4
12:00noon – 1:00pm - Luncheon
1:00 – 1:45pm - Talk in M4
1:45 – 2:30pm - Talk in M4
2:30 – 2:50pm - Coffee & tea with an assortment of homemade muffins, served in M4
3:00 – 6:00pm - Plant sales to registrants only in M2
7:00pm – ???? - Conference dinner in Restaurant. Choice of two entrees and two main courses, and set dessert.
???? – late - Rare plant auction in M4

Sunday, 12 April
8:00 – 9:20am - Plant sales to registrants only in M2
9:20 – 10:10am - Talk in M4
10:10 – 10:30am - Coffee & tea with assorted sweet pastries, served in M4
10:30 – 11:15am - Talk in M4
11:15am – 12:00pm - Talk in M4
12:00pm – 1:00pm - Luncheon
(Optional bus trip to McLaren Vale leaves at 1:15pm and returns late at night after dinner in The Barn restaurant)
1:30 – 4:30pm - Plant sales to the general public in M2
No more plant sales will take place in M2 after Sunday evening

Monday, 13 April
8:30 – 9:20am - Meeting of society delegates to plan future conferences
9:20 – 10:10am - Talk in M4
10:10 – 10:30am - Coffee & tea with warm ham and cheese or egg and croissants, served in M4
10:30 – 11:15am - Talk in M4
11:15am – 12:00noon - Talk in M4
12:00noon – 1:00pm - Luncheon
1:00pm - Conference closes.