2014 Independent Plant Breeders Conference

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October 30 - November 2, 2014
Amway Grand Plaza
Grand Rapids, Michigan



Overview and Agenda:

The Independent Plant Breeders Conference is a great opportunity to learn and network with other plant breeders, horticulture industry professionals involved in new product development and marketing, and intellectual property experts. Pre-registration and a reception will take place the evening of October 30. The next two days will be filled with educational sessions aimed at helping independent breeders be successful, from technical aspects of breeding through product development and marketing. On the final day, we will tour nurseries, gardens and other horticultural landmarks in western Michigan.

A formal agenda and list of sessions will be released at a later date. Expect sessions to cover topics such as:

        Basic and advanced plant breeding techniques
        Managing a breeding program
        Bringing selections to market
        Intellectual property management
        Market trends


Questions? Please contact Ryan Warner, Michigan State University

Registration and Overnight Accommodations:

Conference registration details will be announced in the Spring.

Independent Plant Breeders & Students of Plant Breeding - $99
Professional Breeders & Industry Professionals - $175 (before October 1st) / $225 (after October 1st)
Overnight accommodations are now available at a group rate of $139/night.



Sponsorships:

We are looking for sponsors at three levels: (All sponsor logos will be on the conference website as the agenda is posted and printed as handouts for attendees)

Platinum ‐ $5,000.00 - This sponsors the opening night reception in your company's name, and a chance to speak to the group about your role in the industry. Your logo will be visible throughout the reception. Your logo is noted as Platinum Sponsor and highest ranking on the conference website. Platinum sponsorship includes 2 gratis registrations for your company's representatives.

Gold ‐ $2,000.00 - This sponsors a coffee break in your company's name. Your logo will be on screen through the break. Gold sponsorship includes 2 gratis registrations for your company's representatives.

Silver ‐ $1,000.00 - These sponsors will be jointly thanked at the coffee breaks and your logo will be on screen. Silver sponsorship includes 1 gratis registration for your company representative.

Student Travel Scholarships - in an effort to bring new students in plant breeding to the conference we are putting together a $500 travel scholarship for promising student in the field of ornamental plant breeding. If you would like to be a sponsor one of these travel scholarships we ask that you do in it addition to a platinum, gold or silver sponsorship. We'd like to have a picture of your company representative and the student who received the scholarship at the conference.


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