The Study Weekend HighlightsLecture sessions, book and plant sales, the botanical exhibit, and our silent auction all take place at Crowne Plaza Portland-Downtown Convention Center. Parking at Crowne Plaza—Parking is available in a parking lot adjacent to the hotel. More details HERE. Name Badge—Your name badge is your passport to all events. It indicates which Study Weekend options you purchased upon registration, including box lunches, and Saturday Soirée. Please wear your name badge at all times at Crowne Plaza, when visiting the Open Gardens on Saturday and Sunday, and to the Soirée, if you are attending. Information Desk—Located at the same spot where you checked in, the Information Desk is staffed on Saturday and Sunday mornings prior to the start of each day’s program, as well as during breaks. Volunteers can provide a list of local dining options, help with Open Gardens touring, or answer other questions you may have. The Information Center also serves as ‘Lost and Found’; please turn in or pick up items here. Cell Phones—Please silence your cell phone during conference sessions. Bag Lunches—Pre-paid box lunches are distributed immediately after the last lecture on Saturday and Sunday as you exit the Ballroom. Your name badge indicates which box lunches you ordered, if any. Beverages—Coffee, tea, and drinking water are available during our morning sessions. Disposable water bottles are not provided, except with box lunches. Feel free to bring your own reusable water bottle. Money Matters—We are able to accept VISA and MasterCard for book sales. For the plant sale, some vendors can take credit cards, but be prepared to pay with cash or check (USD) with others. There is an ATM in the Business Center on the ground floor of the hotel. Door Prizes & Silent Auction—A number of nurseries, artists and other businesses have very generously donated plants, art and other items as door prizes and for our Silent Auction benefitting HPSO’s community grants and scholarship funds. Door prizes will be awarded at the beginning of each conference session, and you must be present to win. You may view and bid on the Silent Auction items in the Belmont Ballroom, where the lectures take place. The auction closes on Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. Botanical Exhibits—Seasonal botanicals from HPSO member gardens are on display throughout the weekend in the lobby outside the Belmont Ballroom. You are encouraged to bring specimens from your own garden. Vases and labels are provided. Book Sales—A selection of popular gardening titles, including books by some of our speakers, are available at a discount through the HPSO book sales program. Books are on display in the Windsor Ballroom. See the schedule for times. Plant Sales—Peruse and purchase unusual and extraordinary plants offered in the Windsor Ballroom by a select group of some of the region’s specialty nurseries. Vendors handle individual transactions, so bring plenty of cash since not all can take credit cards. Canadian attendees, please inquire upon check-in where phytosanitary certification is available. Note: Phytosanitary certificates will be available to Canadian attendees. However, not all plants sold by these vendors may be taken into Canada. Open Gardens—Enjoy three inspirational days of Open Gardens during the weekend. The gardens are grouped for driving convenience, and the tours are self-guided. Bus transportation is not provided. Directions and maps are included in the Study Weekend booklet you receive when you check in to the conference. Saturday Soirée (optional)—The Soirée takes place outdoors, rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Casual attire and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Hotel Accommodations—A specially-priced block of rooms is available at the Crowne Plaza Portland-Downtown Convention Center, which is the venue for Study Weekend. If you are interested in staying there, HERE is contact information.
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