Holbrook Travel is excited to join the American Public Gardens Association for their annual conference May 20-24 in Phoenix. This year’s theme is Garden Evolution, and the Sonoran Desert makes for the perfect backdrop; just as the harsh desert landscape has forced plants to evolve for survival, the 2013 conference will focus on ways that public gardens can continue to adapt and thrive in today’s world.

Highlights of the conference include workshops and sessions on topics like social media, conservation and sustainability, and enhancing the visitor experience. Attendees can also take advantage of optional day trips to local gardens and cultural attractions.

Keynote speaker Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will share some of her personal experiences and will relate how some of the lessons she’s learned can be applied to botanical gardens today. Other speakers include Dr. Cristián Samper, president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan, founder of the Royal Botanic Garden in Jordan and an advocate for biodiversity conservation.

If you're planning to attend, stop by booth 16 to say hello and learn more about our garden tours.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.publicgardens.org/conference2013.