2015 Winter Meeting Registration Packet

2015 Winter Meeting
Registration Packet
January 21 – 23, 2015
Clarion Hotel & Conference Center
New Cumberland, PA
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2015 PCTGA Winter Meeting Program
January 21 – 23, 2015
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Wednesday, January 21
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Registration Open
7:00 p.m. Mix & Mingle
Thursday, January 22
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast (on your own)
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Welcome from PCTGA President
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Speaker to be Announced
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Overview of Pacific Northwest Industry Trends and Research Projects
Dr. Gary Chastagner, Professor of Plant Pathology at Washington State University
In this presentation, Gary will discuss trends relating to the production and marketing of Christmas trees from the Pacific Northwest. An overview will also be provided of research relating to efforts to identify superior sources of Nordmann, Turkish and Trojan firs for use as Christmas trees, genetic trials to identify sources of true firs that are resistant to
Phytophthora root rot, and the potential to improve the postharvest quality of cut trees
through genetic studies.
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. Featured Farm – To Be Announced
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Farm Vehicle Rules/DOT Regulations You Need to Know
Corporal Rick Koontz, Commercial Vehicle Safety Division of the
Pennsylvania State Police
This session will offer an update on commercial vehicle regulations and farm vehicles.
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Auction
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Pesticide Safety Trivia
Tanner Delvalle, Commercial Horticulture Extension Educator, Penn State Extension
This will be an hour-long trivia game designed to educate attendees on various
pesticide and regulatory issues in relation to Christmas tree management.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A Session:
Dr. Gary Chastagner, Professor of Plant Pathology at Washington State University
Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Tanner Delvalle, Commercial Hosticulture Extension Educator, Penn State Extension
OR
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Social Media Computer Lab Instruction (Beginner Level)
Beth Ann Bossio, Reliable Source Seeds & Transplants, Quarter Pine Tree Farm
Attendees will be given a hands-on opportunity for instruction in the various types of social media. This session will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 25 individuals. A laptop, iPad or other electronic device is required.
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2015 PCTGA Winter Meeting Program
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. January 21 – 23, 2015
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Break
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Educational, Diagnostic and Extension Resources Available to Northeast Christmas Tree Growers
Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
This session will offer an overview of services that growers can access to enhance their farm operations.
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Dinner, Awards & Business Meeting
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Identification of Conifer Insects, Diseases and Abiotic Problems
Sarah Pickel, IPM Education Specialist, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
This session provides an opportunity to observe common conifer pests and problems up close and personal using photos, microscopes and hand lenses. There will also be time for discussion with the Department of Agriculture’s IPM Program staff. Attendees may bring samples and ask questions.
Friday, January 23
7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Registration Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast (on your own)
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 2014 Season Consumer Tracking Poll Results & Season Highlights
Rick Dungey, NCTA Executive Director
Be among the first to view the results of the 2014 season Harris Interactive consumer
poll and find out what they mean for the industry. We’ll also recap the major news
stories of the 2014 season and how NCTA helped to shapethem. While these are
overall national figures, every producer and retailercan benefit from identifying trends
and how they can impact their own individual businesses.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Myths Associated with the Care and Handling of Christmas Trees
Dr. Gary Chastagner, Professor of Plant Pathology at Washington State University
In this presentation, Gary will talk about how the moisture status of a tree is measured and some myths associated with the loss of moisture from trees on retail lots; water uptake by cut trees; the loss of needles by displayed trees; and the influence of harvest data on needle retention.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Grower Panel Discussion
This session will include discussion on not only starting your own tree business for new
growers, but how to sustain your tree business in the long run for seasoned farm
owners. How-to’s, issues and troubleshooting will be discussed.
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 2
Lunch (on your own)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Overall Trends Impacting Christmas Trees
Rick Dungey, NCTA Executive Director
There are some trends going on overall which some believe will impact the way growers will grow trees and the way retailers will have to sell them. These trends
include: Urbanization; Renter-ship; Retail and residential co-existing; Decline of car
culture; Fresh & local; Shift away from brick & mortar stores. These trends are being
driven not just by the 70+ million Gen Y’ers we’ve all been watching for years, but
demographers are also saying that “empty-nest” boomers are involved in some of
these changing trends in housing, real-estate and residential developments. Much of
it also is being driven by the economy and housing bust of 2008-2013. While nobody likes change, we’re optimistic that the Christmas tree industry can study these trends
and position itself for tremendous growth in five, ten or 15 years from now.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Speaker to be Announced
OR
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Future of Marketing: Creating Interest in Your Farm All Year Long
Tyler Wert, Manager, Blue Ridge Christmas Tree Farm
In a busy world, it’s important now more than ever to keep in touch with your customers. In this seminar, we will discuss what marketing avenues you can use throughout the year to gain interest in your farm. We will then explore Facebook in depth. Tyler will walk you
through the creation of your ads, coupons and events and let you see how you can track
your progress to see what is working best for your farm.
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Speaker to be Announced
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2015 PCTGA Winter Meeting Hotel Information
January 21 – 23, 2015
Clarion Hotel & Conference Center
148 Sheraton Drive,
New Cumberland, PA 17070
717-774-2721
Room Rate: $89 per night
Reservation Deadline:
January 15, 2015
Reservation Name: PCTGA/
PA Christmas Tree Growers
Association
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The Winter Meeting will be held at the Clarion Hotel and
Conference Center in New Cumberland, PA.
A block of rooms has been reserved under the name
PCTGA/PA Christmas Tree Growers Association at a
room rate of $89 per night for single occupancy. This room
rate will only be available until January 15, 2015 or until
the room block is filled.
Reservations received after the above date will be accepted
on a space and rate available basis. You must identify
yourself as being with the PCTGA/PA Christmas Tree
Growers Association in order to receive the discounted rate.
To ensure that you have a room for the meeting at the Clarion
Hotel and Conference Center, it is recommended that you make
your reservation immediately. Reservations must be made
directly with the hotel by calling 717-774-2721. Hotel
room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes.
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Don’t Forget to Enter the
2015 PCTGA Wreath Contest
Rules and Guidelines
Wreath makers are encouraged to enter the 2015 PCTGA Wreath Contest at the Winter Meeting in January. Winning
entries will be eligible for the National Christmas Tree Association Wreath Contest to be held at the NCTA meeting.
All wreaths must be submitted in person or sent to be received by 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22,
2015 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 148 Sheraton Drive, New Cumberland, PA 17070.
General Rules are as follows:
1. The exhibitor entering the wreath in the contest must be a current PCTGA member. Wreaths must have been
made by the PCTGA member or farm and cannot have been made by contract help or others not directly related
to the PCTGA member or farm.
2. In no case, shall one person, family, or farm enter more than two wreaths, one decorated and one undecorated.
3. All wreaths must be submitted in person or sent to be received by 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22.
4. Securely tied to each wreath should be a sealed envelope containing the maker’s name, address, telephone
number, and source of greens. Entrants will receive a number for their entry and that number will be placed on
the envelope as well as the record sheet. The record sheet will remain confidential and outside of the judging
area until the judging is final and the winners announced.
5. Scoring will be under the PCTGA/NCTA Guidelines.
6. Wreaths must be made on a 12-inch ring, of natural greens grown within the state, and the outside diameter
must not exceed 24 inches. The weight of the wreath may not exceed 5 pounds. Wreaths may be single or
double-faced.
7. Decorated wreaths must contain a bow and may contain dried or other decorative materials and ornaments.
8. Undecorated wreaths will be judged on foliage, color, workmanship (including uniform density, uniform center
hole, uniform outside, construction quality, placement of materials and overall appearance.) Wreaths in the
undecorated category can be made with mixed greens; however, we suggest no other materials such as berries
or leaves.
9. Decorated wreaths will be judged on craftsmanship, originality, arrangement of decoration and quality of bow.
First, second and third place winners will be placed in both the decorated and undecorated wreath categories.
Exhibitors will receive appropriate ribbons. The winners will be announced during the winter meeting.
National entries will be handled as follows: the first place winners in the decorated and undecorated categories from
the previous two years shall be the Pennsylvania entries in the NCTA contest. If these winners are ineligible (not
NCTA members) or are unwilling to enter according to NCTA rules, the required number of entries shall be selected
by a drawing of eligible second place winners. Names from the second place pool shall be drawn and those winners,
in the order of the drawing, shall be asked if they are willing to be an exhibitor. This process shall be continued until
the maximum number of entrants is obtained. Third and fourth place winners will be considered under the same
guidelines if no other possible exhibitors are located.
If you have further questions, call the PCTGA office at 800-547-2842.
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2015 PCTGA Winter Meeting Registration Form
January 21 – 23, 2015
Registration must be returned to the PCTGA office, postmarked on or before January 14, 2015. The cancellation
deadline is January 9, 2015. PCTGA cannot guarantee availability of Thursday dinner tickets to walk-in
registrants. PCTGA cannot refund the cost of meal tickets. There is no charge for youth under age 14.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Business Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Fax: Email: MEMBERSHIP STATUS
□ PCTGA Member □ Non-Member (join now to pay member rate for meeting; option to join PCTGA on reverse side)
□ PCTGA Retired Member (an individual holding PCTGA Board-approved retired status)
□ Other State Christmas Tree Association Member (neighboring association members are invited to register at member rates)
ATTENDEE NAMES
List names as they should appear on name badges. Please print clearly and make copies if more room is
needed. Children are defined as those individuals 14 and under.
1 ________________________________________________________ 2 ________________________________________________________ 3 ________________________________________________________
4 ________________________________________________________ 5 ________________________________________________________ □ Adult
□ Adult
□ Adult
□ Adult
□ Adult
□ Child
□ Child
□ Child
□ Child
□ Child
EMERGENCY CONTACT & SPECIAL NEEDS
Name of non-attending contact: ___________________________________________ Phone: ___________________
□ Please check here if you have any special dietary needs or require special accommodations in order to participate
fully in this meeting. Please list them here: PAYMENT INFORMATION
Please complete the registration form price sheet on the back of this form to calculate the amount due.
Total Payment $
□ Cash/Check (make payable to PCTGA)
□ Visa □ MasterCard □ Discover
Name on Card: Card Number: Exp. Date: Signature: Security Code: Billing address: Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, 2207 Forest Hills Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 717.238.9765, Fax: 717.238.9985, Email: [email protected], Web: www.christmastrees.org
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2015 PCTGA Winter Meeting Registration Form
January 21 – 23, 2015
Business Name: 2015 PCTGA MEMBERSHIP
□ Yes, I would like to join PCTGA now & pay the member rate to attend this meeting.
$225
FULL REGISTRATION (includes Wednesday Mix & Mingle; Thursday and Friday education sessions; Thursday lunch & dinner)
PCTGA Member
# of attendees @$225$
PCTGA Retired Member*
# of attendees @$125$
Non-Member# of attendees @$275$
□ While I am registering for the full meeting, I am not able to attend the Thursday evening dinner.
THURSDAY ONLY REGISTRATION (does NOT include Thursday Dinner)
PCTGA Member
# of attendees @$150$
PCTGA Retired Member*
# of attendees @$80$
Non-Member# of attendees @$200$
FRIDAY ONLY REGISTRATION
PCTGA Member
# of attendees @$150$
PCTGA Retired Member*
# of attendees @$80$
Non-Member# of attendees @$200$
THURSDAY DINNER REGISTRATION (ONLY includes Thursday Dinner)
PCTGA Member
# of attendees @$60$
PCTGA Retired Member*
# of attendees @$60$
Non-Member# of attendees @$80$
*Retired Member: An individual holding PCTGA Board-approved
retired status. Also, there is no charge for youth under age 14.
TOTAL$
Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, 2207 Forest Hills Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 717.238.9765, Fax: 717.238.9985, Email: [email protected], Web: www.christmastrees.org

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