Tour costs are in US dollars and include all taxes and fees
WHAT IS INCLUDED: Accommodations (14 nights long tour; 7 nights short tour); Travel in coach; Full registration to the IPPS Eastern Region Conference; Specified meals and drinks; All special activity entrance fees.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Items of a personal nature e.g. internet use, mini bar, laundry, etc.; On your own dining and beverages; Transfers to and from airports.
Laundry facilities available at ALL hotel locations.
Long Tour: Friday 11 September – Friday 25 September 2026
- Arrive in the Twin Cities, Minnesota (MSP) by 5:00 pm Central Time on Friday September 11
- Depart from Grand Rapids, Michigan (GRR) after 12:30 pm Eastern Time on September 25
- Single Occupancy: $5,995
- Double Occupancy: $4,295
Short Tour: Friday 18 September – Friday 25 September 2026
- Arrive in Chicago, Illinois (ORD) on Thursday September 17 by 6:00 pm Central Time
- Depart from Grand Rapids, Michigan (GRR) after 12:30 pm Eastern Time on Friday September 25
- Single Occupancy: $3,995
- Double Occupancy: $2,995
Schedule at a Glance
Friday 11 September 2026 LONG TOUR BEGINS
- Arrive at Host Hotel: Embassy Suites by Hilton 12 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55402
- 5-6pm: Happy Hour at Hotel
- 6-9pm: Group dinner in downtown Minneapolis, MN
Saturday 12 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Embassy Suites Minneapolis
- 9-10:30am Bachman’s Floral, Home & Garden
- 11:30-1:30pm: Lunch on your own at Mall of America
- 2-3:30pm: Gerten’s Greenhouses
- 6-9pm: Group dinner on Paddleford Riverboat
Sunday 13 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Embassy Suites Minneapolis
- 9-10am: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- 11-5pm: Lunch and Tour at Bailey Nurseries
- 6-8pm: Group dinner at Bailey Nurseries
Monday 14 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Embassy Suites Minneapolis
- 12-4pm: Lunch and Tour of Taliesin East
- 5:30: Arrive at Host Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn 770 Regent Street Madison, WI 53703
- Dinner on your own in downtown Madison, WI (attendees to cover cost)
Tuesday 15 September 2026
- 6-9am: Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn Madison
- 9:30-1pm: Lunch and tour at Knight Hollow Nursery
- 2-4pm: Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- 4:40-6:30pm: Epic Systems
- 7-9pm: Group dinner at Sugar River Pizza
Wednesday 16 September 2026
- 6-8:30am: Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn Madison
- 9-11am: University of Wisconsin Arboretum
- 11:30-12:30pm: Lunch at U of W Memorial Union
- 1-2:30pm: Allen Centennial Garden
- 2:30-3:30pm: DC Greenhouses
- 3:30-4pm: Babcock Ice-cream and Dairy
- 6-9pm: Group dinner at Red
Thursday 17 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn Madison
- 9-10:15am: McKay Nursery (snacks and coffee provided)
- 11:30-1:30pm: Lunch and Tour at Johnson’s Nursery
- 2:15-4pm: Harley Davidson Museum
- 6pm: Arrive at host hotel: Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile 511 North Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60611 - Short Tour Attendees Arrive
- 6-7pm: Happy Hour at Hotel
- 7-10pm: Group dinner in downtown Chicago, IL
Friday 18 September 2026 SHORT TOUR BEGINS
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Embassy Suites Chicago
- 9-11am: The Morten Arboretum
- 12-3pm: Lunch and tour at Midwest Groundcovers
- 3:30-7:30pm: Dinner and tour at Ball Horticultural Company
Saturday 19 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Embassy Suites Chicago
- 8-1:30pm: International Board Meeting
- 8-1:30: Free morning for non-board members to explore Millenium Park, Lurie Garden, and more
- 2-3:30pm: Chicago River Architecture Tour
- 5-6pm Happy Hour at Hotel
- Dinner on your own in downtown Chicago, IL (attendees cover costs)
Sunday 20 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Embassy Suites Chicago
- 9-1pm: Lunch and tour at the Chicago Botanic Garden
- 4pm: Arrive at FINAL hotel: Amway Grand Plaza 187 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- 6-7pm: Happy Hour at Hotel
- 7-9pm: International Banquet
Monday 21 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids
- 8-11am: International Committee Meetings
- 8-11am: Free morning for non-board members to explore Art Prize in Grand Rapids, MI and other sites
- 12-2pm: Lunch and tour at Garden Solutions
- 3-5pm: Tour at Hortech Inc.
- 5-8pm: Group dinner and stand-up comedy by Rick Vuyst at Hortech Inc.
Tuesday 22 September 2026 EASTERN REGION PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids
- 8-5pm: Eastern Region Pre-Conference Tours (lunch included)
- 6pm: Welcome Reception at hotel
- Dinner on your own in downtown Grand Rapids, MI (attendees cover cost)
Wednesday 23 September 2026 EASTERN REGION CONFERENCE BEGINS
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids
- 8-5pm: Eastern Regional Annual Conference begins with all-day education sessions and silent auction (lunch included)
- Dinner on your own in downtown Grand Rapids, MI (attendees cover cost)
Thursday 24 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids
- 8am-5pm: All day tours (lunch included)
- 5-8pm: Banquet and Live Auction at Spring Meadow Nursery
Friday 25 September 2026
- 6-8am: Breakfast at Amway Grand Plaza Grand Rapids
- 8am-12:30pm: Educational Sessions
- 12:30pm Conference Concludes
- Fly out of Grand Rapids, Michigan (GRR) after 12:30 pm Eastern Time
- Anyone wishing to extend their stay in Eastern Region please contact Liz for suggestions Liz@knighthollownursery.com
Thank you Sponsors
- Bailey Nurseries
- Ball Horticultural Company
- BASF
- Chicago Botanic Garden
- Garden Solutions
- GIE Media
- Harrell’s
- ICL
- IPPS Eastern Region Foundation
- Knight Hollow Nursery
- Johnson’s Nursery
- McKay Nursery
- Midwest Groundcovers
- RAYN
- Spring Meadow Nursery
