APLD Conference Experiences

Over the years, Lani and I have been members of a number of professional associations, and each has brought us meaning and benefit on our journeys. The one we've been most active in throughout our careers, however, is the APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers). We just wrapped up this year's experience, and it's fresh on my mind.

Along the way, we've built deep friendships with very talented designers all over the country, and they've become a deep bench of solutions and sounding boards. I've placed students from my university side in internships with brilliant horticulturists across the country. Lani and I have both mentored young designers for other professors and professionals. We can draw on these relationships for anything from business help to the right plant for the right place. Living in a virtual world now lets us connect regularly for peer checkups.

The conferences are much of what you'd expect, but with a twist. This year, like most, we started with a day of lectures. Speakers shared about Chanticleer Gardens in Pennsylvania, Olbrich Botanical Garden in Wisconsin, and AI in the industry, and then Nick McCullough led a panel discussion.

What separates the APLD from other conferences is that the lectures are kept to a single day. After that, we all tour gardens, meet the designers and owners, ask questions, get inspired, and see fresh design solutions that pull us out of our norms.  Please enjoy some of the inspiration in picture from our travels.