Dec. 1, 2017 – A group tour of the 2018 California Spring Trials has been organized from April 13-17.
This one-of-a-kind, guided excursion is an intense, educational, and very entertaining way for growers and horticultural professionals to visit several of the key Spring Trial locations with fellow horticulturists. It allows attendees the convenience of not having to arrange for their own stops, hotels, and transportation.
The itinerary is jam-packed with three full days of tours with the days beginning early and continuing at a fast pace late into the evening. The cost includes four nights of hotel accommodations, bus transportation, lunches, shuttle service from the airports on the first day, and an experienced guide.
Guests will be able to visit the major horticultural companies that distribute plant materials and supplies and get a first-hand look at the products and new varieties that are available to the floriculture industry.
This excursion is designed specifically for members of the greenhouse, nursery, and landscape industries, other horticulture professionals, and academics. It is an opportunity to meet fellow growers, breeders, and other plant company representatives to see the latest new plant introductions, share ideas, update your understanding of what’s happening in our industry, and travel with trained professionals.
Attendees should plan to arrive at the San Jose Airport on Friday, April 13, and will stay at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott at the San Jose Airport (complimentary airport shuttle included and breakfast included at this hotel only).
CAST’18 BUS TOUR ITINERARY
• The journey begins on Saturday morning, April 14, when the bus departs from the hotel. That first day, the group will tentatively visit Proven Winners, Syngenta Flowers, and Danziger Headstart Nursery. Participants will stay in the Courtyard by Marriott Salinas on Saturday night.
• Sunday, April 15, will be a busy day with a morning visit to Sakata in Salinas followed by Dummen Orange in the afternoon. That night will be spent at the Crowne Plaza Ventura located on a beautiful Pacific Ocean beach.
• Monday, April 16, begins with a visit to Ball Horticultural Co. which includes Pan American Seed, Kieft, Selecta, Ball Flora Plant, Darwin, Burpee, and Star Roses. In the afternoon, we visit GroLink Plant Co.; this second stop tentatively includes Athena Brazil, Flamingo Holland, Florist Holland B.V., Florensis, Hort Couture, and PlantHaven International, Inc., Royal Van Zanten, Schonoeveld, and Sequoia Group International.
A VISIT TO HOLLYWOOD
At the end of the day, the bus travels to Hollywood, and if time allows, the group will stop for a wine tasting. Overnight accommodations will be at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in West Hollywood.
On Tuesday, April 17, Super Shuttle, Uber, or a taxi will be available at the traveler’s expense for transportation to either the Los Angeles Airport or Burbank Airport where participants may return home or travel on their own to other locations.
This package trip includes the cost of first class hotel accommodations for four nights from April 13-17, coach bus transportation from San Jose to West Hollywood, airport shuttle on arrival, one breakfast, lunches on the three travel days, and an experienced horticultural guide.
Participants need to arrange their own transportation into San Jose on April 13 and out of LAX or Burbank Airport on April 17, and cover their own dinner costs. Travel Concepts is available to assist with these reservations.
The cost of the trip will be US $690 per person in a double room (we will help you to find roommates if needed) or $1,050 per person for a single room. These rates are based on 40 participants and will be adjusted slightly if minimum capacity is not met. The trip is subject to change and may be cancelled if minimum capacity is not met.
Space is limited: Register by February 9, 2018 to reserve a seat on this trip. Payment can be made by check or credit card. For online reservations, go to:
https://www.concepts.us.com/registration-cornell-2018.asp.
If you have registration questions, call Denise at 203-262-6260 or 800-274-5801.
Contact Dr. Mark Bridgen at mpb27@cornell.edu or at 631-727-3595 if you have questions about details of the trip.
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