October 14 – October 17
2025 Annual Conference: Louisville
“Home of Fast Horses, Great Bourbon, and Horticulture”
Date: Tuesday, October 14 – Friday, October 17, 2025
Location: Seelbach Hilton Hotel, Louisville, KY
The IPPS Eastern Region Annual Conference is just around the corner—October 14–17, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky! We’ve reserved a room block at the iconic Seelbach Hilton Hotel, available from October 12–17, 2025 at a special conference rate.
Secure your spot before September 15 to avoid the $50 increase. Tour spots are limited, reserve your spot today!
Click the link in the button above or you can call the Seelbach Hilton directly at 800-445-8667 and reference group code “GIPPS” to book your hotel room for the conference.
Deadline to book at the group rate is September 20, 2025.
After that, rooms may be released or priced at standard rates—so don’t wait! (Be sure to select your arrival and departure dates to check availability.)
Want to get involved with the Conference?
- New Plant Forum – Present promising new introductions or field trial results.
- Click here to enter Plant Forum Form
- Poster Presentations – Share research, case studies, or project highlights.
- Click here for Poster Presentation Submission
- Silent Auction Donations – Help raise funds for student scholarships.
- Click here for Silent Auction Submission Form
- Student Scholarships —Are you a student or early-career horticulturist? You could attend IPPS-ER 2025 for free!
Program Details
Full Conference Schedule (click to download)
Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Full-Day Pre-Conference Tour
Kick off your conference experience with an exclusive guided tour through three of Louisville’s most iconic green spaces. This full-day pre-tour offers behind-the-scenes access and expert-led insight into the plants, people, and places shaping the region’s horticultural landscape.
The Horticulture of Churchill Downs
Begin the day with a special tour of the grounds at the world-famous Churchill Downs! View morning workouts of thoroughbreds on the historic racetrack. Explore the extensive specimen plantings and production areas with head horticulturist Matt Bizzell.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork
Take in sweeping views and diverse ecosystems at one of Louisville’s largest urban parks. Guided tour of the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden with horticulturist Tyler Hampton. Walk through native meadows and grassland restorations. Enjoy lunch onsite or en route to the next destination.
Cave Hill Cemetery
End the day at one of the country’s most historically significant arboretums. Tour the majestic grounds and champion trees with the Cave Hill Cemetery horticulture team.
- This pre-tour has a limited capacity. Full conference registration and tour sign-up is NOW open.
Wednesday, Oct. 15 – Trees & Bourbon
Keynote: Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar (University of Louisville) presents groundbreaking research on trees & human health. Read this great Washington Post article about Dr. Bhatnagar.
Full Schedule: Wednesday, October 15
8:00 – 8:15 – Welcome and Introduction – IPPS Eastern Region President, Shelby French
8:15 – 8:45 – Derek Humbert & Tina Carr of Woody Warehouse Nursery – Propagation and Production of Oaks
8:45 – 9:45 – Keynote Address – Aruni Bhatnagar, Ph.D., FAHA, Professor of Medicine Chief, Division of Environmental Medicine – Green Heart Study – How Plants Affect Our Health
9:45 – 10:00 – Break
10:00 – 10:30 – Adam McClanahan – Robinson Nursery Grafting White Oak on Swamp White Root System
10:30 – 10:50 – IPPS Awards Presentation
10:50 – 11:15 – Student Poster Introductions
11:15 – 11:45 – Dr. Megan Philpott – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Oak Cryopreservation and Kentucky Clover Studies
11:45 – Board Buses for Tours
- Afternoon Tours:
- Buffalo Trace Distillery – Enjoy a guided tour of historic grounds and gardens, complemented by a bourbon tasting experience at one of Kentucky’s most iconic distilleries.
- Wilson Nurseries – Take in the beauty and innovation at Wilson’s Nurseries, where you’ll explore both a vibrant retail garden center and extensive wholesale production areas.
- Summers Nursery – Discover innovative plant propagation techniques at this specialized nursery, well-known for exceptional grafting and unique plant collections.
Thursday, Oct. 16 – A Day of Plants
Welcome to Plant Day – Focusing on Great Plants forgotten that should get more attention!
Full Schedule: Thursday, October 16
8:00 – 8:30 – Brian Jorg – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Expanding the Palette of Native Plants
8:30 – 9:00 – Bill Hendricks – Klyn Nursery, Retired – My Favorite Plants from the Past.
9:00 – 9:30 – Steve Castorani – North Creek Nurseries – Vintage Vibes for Modern Times
9:30 – 10:00 – Mike Hayman – Contributions from Past Plantsman
10:00 – 10:15 – Break
10:15 – 10:45 – Allen Bush – Jelitto Perennial Seed, retired – Perennial Plants I love
10:45 – 11:15 – Tim Brotzman – Brotzman’s Nursery – Best and Favorite Plants I have grown!
11:15 – 11:45 – Paul Cappiello – Yew Dell Botanical Gardens – Paul’s Favorite Plants!
11:45 – Board Buses for Tours
- Afternoon Tours:
- Riverfarm Nursery – Visit this specialty nursery renowned for its innovative propagation practices and container tree production.
- Yew Dell Botanical Gardens & Kentucky Artisan Distillery – Explore picturesque gardens showcasing unique horticultural collections, followed by a delightful tour and tasting at a local artisan bourbon distillery.
Friday, Oct. 17 – New Plants & Cutting-Edge Research
Friday will include the always popular New Plants Forum! The latest new plant selections on the market so if you have a plant you want to show off, here is your opportunity!
Full Schedule: Friday, October 17
8:30 – 9:00 – Dr. Bob Geneve – University of Kentucky – Running Away From Home: Seed Dispersal
9:00 – 9:30 – Dr. Theresa Culley – University of Cincinnati – Dealing with Box Tree Moth: Identifying the Best Boxwood Cultivars Using Genetics
9:30 – 10:00 – Business Meeting
10:00 – 10:15 – Break
10:15 – 10:30 – Liz Dunham Erikson – Knight Hollow Nursery – IPPS 2026
10:30 – 11:00 – Joe Boggs – Ohio State University Extension – Pest Updates
11:00 – 11:30 – Speaker Panel Q&A
11:30 – 12:00 – New Plant Forum
12:00 – Program ends – All are welcome to join us for the Board of Directors Meeting from 12:15 – 1:15
This will be an IPPS meeting you do not want to miss! Bring a friend, bring a new plant propagator or production specialist, bring a student, bring someone who has not experienced the motto “To Seek and to Share” and show them what that really means!
Thank you to Steve Foltz, Paul Cappiello and our Local Site Committee for coordinating this enriching program!
Airports
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) – approximately 10-15 minutes drive to the Seelbach Hilton Hotel.
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – approximately 90 minutes drive.
Getting to the Hotel
- Call ahead to the Seelbach Hilton Hotel to arrange for the shuttle.
- Taxi and rideshare services are available from SDF and CVG.
- Public transportation via TARC (Transit Authority of River City) from SDF.
Sponsorship
Click here to view the Sponsorship Packet. Support our industry and gain recognition by becoming a sponsor, multiple levels are available to fit your needs.
Questions? Contact Keith Osborne at ippsersponsorships@gmail.com.
