The IPPS Western Region would like to welcome you to Langley City in the beautiful Fraser Valley in southern British Columbia in September 2025!
This year we will have a Tuesday pre-conference tour followed by the opening reception for all to attend, Wednesday/Thursday we will have speakers for half the day and tours the other half. Thursday will also feature our annual business meeting lunch and annual banquet. Friday we will have morning sessions and adjourn by lunch. We hope you are as excited as we are!
Tuesday pre-conference tour will be a professionally guided tour to Vancouver with stops at the Stanley Park, the Museum of Anthropology, Nitobe Memorial Garden, University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, and Southlands Nursery.
Wednesday afternoon tour will take us to the Eastern Fraser Valley to see three nurseries in the Chilliwack area, Qualitree, Rainbow Greenhouses and Reimer’s Nurseries.
Thursday morning tour will be Van Belle Nursery Youngplants and Finished Plants in Abbotsford and Cedar Rim Garden Center in Langley.
During out speaker sessions we will have speakers and panel discussions on IPM including biocontrols and emerging pests, techniques in plant breeding, marketing, new technologies and how to make decisions about implementing them, and how climate change is affecting ornamental horticulture on the west coast.
Along with the tours and talks there will be plenty of time to view poster presentations, visit our sponsors’ booths and bid on the silent auction. Our banquet speaker on Thursday evening Bob Geneve (retired from the University of Kentucky) will entertain you with stories from his research and teaching in plant propagation and production. We look forward to seeing you here!
Coast Langley City Hotel & Convention Centre - REDUCED RATES AVAILABLE UNTIL FRIDAY, AUGUST 15THRate: $194 CAD for reservations Monday-Friday, $205 CAD for reservations on weekends if staying longer.Phone Reservations (recommended): 604-530-1500, mention you are attending the International Plant Propagation Convention for the discounted rate.Online Reservations: https://www.coasthotels.com/coast-langley-city-hotel-and-convention-centreWhen booking online, choose your dates, when you go to the next page there is a drop down that says “Special Code” and you choose the “Group Attendee” and then enter the code CLC-GF10942.
If you have issues with booking, please contact Brooke at [email protected]..
Hampton Inn by Hilton Langley-SurreyRate: $269 CAD Queen Rooms/$279 CAD King RoomsPhone Reservations: 604-530-6545, group name International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS)Online Reservations: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/intlplantpropagatorssocietysep/
The Hampton Inn is approximately 2.8 KM/1.8 Miles from the Coast Langley.
Getting to the Coast Langley City Hotel & Convention CentreVancouver International Airport: 1 hr drive via Uber/Lyft/Taxi or rental car. 2 hrs if using public transport: SkyTrain can take you to Surrey and then a bus or Uber/Lyft to Langley. Bellingham International Airport: 1 hr drive, border crossing required.Seattle International Airport: 4+ hours depending on mode of travel. Quick Shuttle picks up at SEATAC and Bellingham International Airport and stops in Surrey. Abbotsford International Airport: 35 minute drive but limited flights from the US.Carpooling: Closer to the meeting, we will connect with registered attendees to set up carpooling options. Border Crossing Tips: To avoid heavy traffic when driving North across the borders in the morning use Washington Hwy 543 (exit 256A from I5), in the afternoon, use Washington Hwy 539 (exit 275 from I5).
Travel Document Reminder: US Citizens are required to have an active passport to enter Canada. More information on identification documentation requirements for Canada can be found here.
Interested in being a sponsor or exhibiting at the 2025 Annual Meeting? We have some great opportunities for your company to gain exposure to members of the industry. Sponsor and Exhibitor registration can be done using the downloadable form below. For any questions or assistance, please contact Brooke Palmer at [email protected].
Download Sponsor & Exhibitor Form
Deadline to Sponsor or Exhibit - Extended to August 8, 2025
Forms can be mailed to IPPS WR at 1521 "I" St., Sacramento, CA 95814 or emailed to [email protected]..Sponsor/Exhibitor Prices are in United States Dollar (USD).
Funding for the Knowledge and Technology Transfer program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Wending our way across Vancouver’s industrial heart (Vancouver is the 7th largest port by tonnage in North America), we will drive through the 2nd largest Chinatown in North America and the historical Gastown district before our first stop, Stanley Park, Vancouver’s largest urban park. Spectacular views, totem poles, cricket pitches, gardens and a towering coniferous forest characterize this 400-hectare (1000 acre) gem.
Our next stop, following a scenic beach-side drive, is the world-renowned Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Here, participants will have time to explore awe-inspiring totems, sculptures and exhibits in this architectural masterpiece of a building.
It is a short walk from MOA to Nitobe Memorial Garden, UBC’s authentic Japanese tea and stroll garden. From here, the bus will pick up and then deliver the group to UBC Botanical Garden (a few minutes away), where we will stop for lunch and afternoon tours.
Pre-conference tour members can wander on their own in the 20-hectare (50-acre) garden, which includes an extensive Asian plant collection, food garden, North American collections, alpine-rock garden and well-stocked shop, or join tours with expert curators.
Our final stop is Vancouver’s pre-eminent retail garden centre, Southlands Nursery. Here, we’ll spend some time with Southlands owner and famously outrageous bon-vivant (legions of gardeners take his horticultural opinions to heart). From Southlands, we’ll head back to the hotel in time for the evening’s opening reception.
Learn how a small nursery has been able to increase their output through advanced automated systems, providing ways for the ownership to stay involved at a hands-on level. Discover a little about the variety of cultivars available in ornamental tree production and how they are produced by ancient methods.
Step into Qualitree, where automation and real-time data continuously improve how our plants are propagated and grown. We collaborate closely with breeders and growers worldwide to introduce new products to the North American market, focusing on superior quality and sustainability. Meet our team and see how we’re growing better, together.
This tour offers a look at Rainbow’s high-efficiency operations, featuring advanced automation, streamlined systems, and sustainable practices. With a focus on efficiency, growth, and seizing opportunities in a dynamic market, Rainbow showcases how innovation drives success in modern greenhouse production.
Get an exclusive tour of Van Belle Nursery’s state-of-the-art propagation and finished growing facilities. Journey through Van Belle Youngplants, where you’ll see their Dutch rolling bench system, open roof greenhouses, climate controls and ISO Cutting Planter 2500 sticking robots.
Navigate Van Belle Finished Plants’ indoor and outdoor container growing operations to discover the expansion phases of their greenhouses, lean flow process designs, on-demand print shop and more. Discover The Bloomin’ Easy Show Garden, where you’ll engage with fellow horticulturists and discover the latest in improved, low-maintenance cultivars. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to gain insights from the specialists at Van Belle Nursery and their pursuit of horticultural excellence.
Hear about the integration of nursery and retail, its perks and challenges!
The Pre-Conference tour will stop at Stanley Park, the Museum of Anthropology, Nitobe Memorial Garden, University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, and Southlands Nursery. Included in the Pre-Conference Tour Package. Limited to 49 participants.
Join us for the opening reception of the 2025 WR Annual Meeting! Hos d'oeuvre's and no host bar.
Invitation only.
Hannah Ball - Technical Sales Specialist, RAYN Growing SystemsAs tissue culture production scales alongside advancements in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), outdated lighting technologies—like fluorescent and early-generation LEDs—are giving way to purpose-built, high-efficiency LED systems. In this presentation, we’ll explore the evolution of tissue culture lighting, from traditional solutions to modern LEDs that offer improved spectrum control, energy savings, and enhanced working environments. We’ll break down the key technological advancements driving the shift: including spectral precision, improved driver efficiency, and durability—highlighting why LEDs are a superior choice in tissue culture labs. We’ll also cover critical factors to consider when making the switch, such as IP ratings, connector types, installation costs, and warranty support. Finally, we’ll explain how the right LED system not only reduces operational costs but also enables better plantlet performance through spectrum tuning and scalable control, making your lab more productive, efficient, and future-ready.
Dr. Sma Zobayed - SMA Biotech and Segra InternationalThe advancement of plant tissue culture in commercial horticulture and agriculture is being revolutionized through the integration of innovation, automation, and genetic preservation technologies. This paper presents a strategic framework for a modern tissue culture facility designed to enhance propagation efficiency, genetic fidelity, and long-term cultivar conservation. Innovative methodologies—including bioreactor-based micropropagation, synthetic seed technology, and AI-assisted phenotyping—are employed to accelerate scalable plant production while ensuring consistency and disease-free outcomes. Automation, through robotic handling systems and integrated digital monitoring platforms, significantly reduces labor intensity and human error, thereby increasing throughput and traceability. Concurrently, genetic preservation strategies such as cryopreservation, DNA fingerprinting, and in vitro genebanking are implemented to secure elite germplasm and maintain cultivar integrity over time. This integrated approach positions the tissue culture industry for next-generation plant production, offering sustainable solutions for global food security, medicinal crop supply, and biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Deborah Henderson - Director, Institute for Sustainable HorticultureAgritech innovations are coming fast and furiously, especially to the greenhouse sector. For all growing systems, sustainability is becoming more urgent, along with strengthening our food security, protecting the environment, and carbon-neutrality in all human endeavors. We are depending on technology and AI is central to many recent agri-innovations. For the past two years we have screened a series of innovations in “proof of concept” greenhouse strawberry production and arrived at a few which we believe will make a difference to the bottom line. Year-round production requires lights which are expensive and energy intensive. Other agri-tech will need to balance the extra cost with extra savings. What will it take? In this presentation, I’ll share our experiences with integration of agri-technologies into greenhouse production and our conclusions.
Stephanie Saccomano & Mindy Neels, Qualitree PropagatorsRe-using fertigation water presents both environmental and economic advantages, but it also introduces challenges related to nutrient variability, system buildup, and inconsistent plant nutrition. In this presentation, we share our experience addressing these issues by implementing in-house monitoring of recycled irrigation water. Using a spectrophotometer as a diagnostic tool, we’ve been able to track nutrient levels more frequently, respond to imbalances, and refine our fertilizer inputs. This has led to more consistent crop performance, improved nutrient-use efficiency, and reduced reliance on external testing. We’ll discuss the operational benefits, limitations, and lessons learned from integrating this into our production system.
Mia Gabrielson, SkyAg SolutionsBringing precision drone technology to horticulture, helping growers enhance plant health, cut labour costs, and boost sustainability in greenhouses and fields.
Stops include Reimer's Nurseries, Qualitree and Rainbow Nurseries. Boxed lunch provided on bus.
We will have a list of restaurants in Langley City within walking distance and a few that will require a car. Please sign up under your favorite and enjoy dinner with other conference attendees.
Stops include Van Belle Youngplants, Van Belle Finished Plants, and Cedar Rim. Breakfast provided on bus.
Boston Swan - Greenhouse Director, Utah Valley University
Guy Meacham - New Plant Development Manager, J. Frank Schmidt & Son CoJ. Frank Schmidt & Son Co has been involved with the selection, and development of new & better trees for more than 50 years. The criteria for what makes a “good” tree has changed in the past and continues to change today. The presentation will be an overview of the methods used at JFS today along with a look at some of the Genera we are working with and the characteristics that are considered desirable today in a changing climate with smaller spaces for trees in urban settings.
Ryan Contreras - Professor of Horticulture, Oregon State UniversityThe Willamette Valley of Oregon is a great place to breed plants. Its mild climate and proximity to a major nursery industry make it easy to grow and access plants. We have good pressure for some important pathogens that allow easy identification of resistant genotypes and summers that are dry enough to test for tolerance to drought stress. However, we cannot focus solely on our small but important geographic region. This discussion will cover a range of projects from shrubs to trees that uses material from around the globe, including the Pacific Northwest, to breed plants that we hope will solve problems for growers and gardeners.
Nicole Tunbridge - Project Leader in the KPU Applied Genomics Centre and Faculty Member in the Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Kwantlen Polytechnic UniversityThe Applied Genomics Centre (AGC) is an applied research lab located at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) campus in Surrey, British Columbia. Although many cutting-edge molecular genetic techniques are now routinely used in medicine, the adoption of such techniques in horticulture is comparatively underdeveloped. At the AGC, our team of research faculty, staff and students develop molecular genetic (genomic) and cellular product (metabolomic) solutions to support the human health, agriculture and horticulture sectors. Undergraduate students participate at every stage from project development to completion, building essential research skills while directly benefitting our industry, government and community partners. This presentation will highlight the technology and expertise available to advance plant breeding and production programs through industry partnership with the AGC.
Shelby Klassen and DeVonne Friesen - Bloomin' EasyReleasing new and improved ornamental plant genetics into the market is an exciting process, but it is a marathon and not a sprint. From the time we select a new plant from a breeding source to the time it is available at a garden centre usually spans three to five years, but can be as high as ten years. It is important to do everything reasonable to determine the new product will perform for everyone involved, since the required investment of resources is significant. The process involves developing trusted relationships with breeders, picking strategic categories and attributes for selection, documenting trial evaluations across broad regions, building up stock for distribution, and creating a sales and marketing plan. Bloomin’ Easy’s team will share their “race plan” for running this ornamental marathon.
If you have some new plants to share, please contact Valerie at [email protected] and she will add you to the list. You can also email slides to Brooke at [email protected] (one or two per variety, please).
Exhibits must be broken down and out of the ballroom by 11 PM.
Join us for our Annual Banquet featuring keynote speaker Bob Geneve, followed by the very popular silent auction! All proceeds will be donated to the Bruce Briggs Scholarship & Exchange Programs.
Bob Geneve - Keynote SpeakerAsk an average person about the differences between a plant and an animal and you may get answers about the way they eat or reproduce but eventually they will indicate that animals move around from place to place, and plants do not move. This is superficially accurate because most individual plants are rooted in the ground in one place, but obviously, plants collectively as a species can move considerable distances as seeds or fruits. A localized example includes seeds that are wind dispersed. An extreme example would be drift seeds that travel between islands and even continents floating in the ocean. Less obvious are those movements that plants make while appearing stationary because the movements are imperceptibly slow or randomly very fast. We will discuss these movements categorized as circumnutation, tropism or nastic movements to gain some insight into how and why plants move.
Limited to 5 minutes per presenter.
Alison Kutz - Owner, Sound Horticulture This presentation explores innovative strategies for deploying biological controls in diverse growing environments, ranging from traditional greenhouses to advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). It emphasizes the evolution of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biocontrol over the past decade, highlighting how factors like crop mix, environmental conditions, and ecological considerations influence pest and disease management approaches. The discussion addresses common challenges such as labor shortages and budget constraints, while promoting cross-sector learning and the economic benefits of biological solutions. It examines advancements in beneficial insect deployment methods, including time-release strategies and habitat enhancement, and showcases the increasing sophistication of biocontrol tools, such as nematodes and drone applications. The presentation underscores the importance of tailoring approaches to specific limitations and maximizing the effectiveness of beneficial organisms through ecological redundancy. Ultimately, it encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing to further advance biological systems in plant production.
Sharon Selvaggio - Pesticide Reduction Specialist, Xerces SocietyMore than a quarter of home gardeners are choosing plants that attract bees and butterflies and native plant demand is also on the rise. Nurseries are ramping up production of pollinator-attractive plants and local natives. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that pollinators may be at risk from pesticides commonly used during plant production. How can nurseries meet the moment by providing valuable habitat plants while minimizing the risk that pollinators will encounter risky pesticide residues?Sharon Selvaggio with the Xerces Society will discuss recent studies examining pesticide prevalence in retail nursery plants and risks to monarchs and bees. She’ll also touch on recent encouraging data bolstering the idea that consumers will pay more for sustainably produced plants. Finally, she’ll draw on her experience interviewing dozens of nurseries to explore prevention-based growing practices and other potential solutions for nursery growers seeking to raise pollinator-safe plants.
Tracy Hueppelsheuser - British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Abbotsford, BC. BC is a diverse province. We have many ecozones from coastal rainforests to arid desert landscapes. The plant agriculture industries are also diverse, from tree fruit and berries, various indoor and outdoor ornamentals, to canola and grass seed production. With increasing trade, travel, and coastal port access, risks of new pest incursions have never been greater. In this presentation I will share some stories about current pest concerns for BC and some innovative approaches for addressing them.
Kristine Schlamp, MPMIn this talk we will be exploring our highly versatile eight-legged friends. Even though they cannot fly this does not detract from their considerable worth as BCA’s (biological control agents). We will look at some of the numerous species available in Western Canada that have unique navigational skills and taste predilections. We will examine species preferences of foliar and soil predators and their preferred environmental conditions, where they prefer to hunt and who they prefer to hunt with. Somewhere out there is a predatory mite that can help you!
Dani Koch and Veronica Cervantes, Plant ProductsEven distribution of biological control agents and labor requirements are two of the main burdens for the successful implementation of biological control agents. In propagation and production of ornamental crops, narrow pathways, moving tables and hanging baskets can make bio releases even more challenging.In this talk, we will present our newest technological development, the 'Entomatic™ Handheld’ designed with ornamental growers in mind for cost-effective biocontrol applications.
Thursday - Banquet Keynote Speaker
The Fascinating Ways that Plants Move
Dr. Robert Geneve is an emeritus faculty member of the University of Kentucky, Department of Horticulture after 40 years performing teaching and research in nursery production, seed biology and clonal plant propagation. He is co-author of the textbook “Hartmann and Kester’s Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices”. Dr. Geneve has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, and a Fellow and Award of Merit recipient of the International Plant Propagator’s Society – Eastern region. He is also a Past-President for the International Plant Propagator’s Society – Eastern region and is currently the International Plant Propagator’s Society Editor.
Thursday at 2:30 PM
Breeding for the West and Beyond
Ryan is a Professor of Horticulture at Oregon State University, where he has a teaching and research appointment that focuses on woody landscape plants. In 2009, he established the Ornamental Plant Breeding Program, which develops new cultivars of woody shrubs and trees to improve traits such as disease resistance, habit, fragrance, reduced fertility, and much more. He and his team apply new discoveries to support the cultivar development program that includes breeding or evaluation of nearly 50 genera. The overarching goal is for the research to directly support and enhance the success of nursery producers, landscapers, and consumers while expanding the scientific body of knowledge.
Friday at 9:30 AM
Meeting the Moment with Pollinator-Safe Nursery Plants
Sharon Selvaggio is a pesticide reduction specialist with The Xerces Society, a conservation organization working to protect the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates. With a background in natural resources and integrated pest management, Sharon leads Xerces’ work in expanding availability of pollinator-safe plants. Collaborating with Oregon State University extension and Oregon nurseries, she organized grower trainings in nursery biocontrol, and produced "Harnessing Nature in the Nursery Industry", a video highlighting the uses, benefits, and lessons of nursery biocontrol. She has presented at various nursery conferences and grower meetings, including FarWest, the Tri-State Green Industry Conference, and the annual producer meeting of American Beauties Native Plants. She is the co-author of several Xerces publications related to pollinator-safe nursery plants.
Thursday at 3:30 PM
Growing Innovation: How industry-partnered research at KPU’s Applied Genomics Centre is cultivating the future of horticulture
Nicole is a project leader in the KPU Applied Genomics Centre and faculty member in the Department of Biological and Health Sciences at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Nicole joined KPU in 2016 and has over 15 years of experience as an undergraduate biology instructor with teaching and research expertise in the areas of plant biology, ecology, and evolution. Her current research activity in the AGC is focused on new cultivar development and micropropagation of ornamental plants.
Thursday at 1:30 PM
Fellowship in New Zealand Report
Friday at 10:30 AM
New Pest Threats to British Columbia and novel approaches to survey and response activities
Tracy Hueppelsheuser has been Director of Plant Health since January 2024. Prior to that, she was a Provincial Entomologist for the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food based in Abbotsford for 18 years.
The Plant Health Unit works on biology and pest management of established and new plant diseases and insect species that impact BC agriculture. This includes the Plant Health Laboratory, plant disease and insect identification, outreach and extension activities, policy and regulation development, and some surveillance.
The Ministry works closely with other organizations with similar mandates and goals.
Friday at 9:00 AM
Hopelessly Innovative: Deploying biological controls in new, strategic ways
Alison's history as an owner/operator of a wholesale production greenhouse for 30 years, specializing in a ridiculous array of herbs, perennials, forced bulbs and floricultural crops, in Bellingham Washington state. Propagating and finishing container grown culinary, aromatic and medicinal herbs was her personal passion, which required a commitment to more biological approaches to fertility, pest and disease management. Alison started Sound Horticulture in 2000. Her business supplies beneficial insects and biological controls around the country on a weekly basis, and supports growers and innovators in various sectors. Specialty areas include working with growers of ornamentals, natives, edibles, cut flowers, and working with ecologically minded farm project managers.
Wednesday at 10:15 AM
Talking Plants, Robot Staff, Automation, Magic Lights: New Technology in Greenhouse Production
Dr. Deborah Henderson, Director, Institute for Sustainable Horticulture and BC Regional Innovation Chair, since 2005, leads an active applied research program in biological and non-chemical management of agricultural and landscape pests and diseases, and integration of agri-tech to build resilient cropping systems including Controlled Environment Agriculture systems. Before joining KPU in 2005, she founded and led E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. to offer Integrated Pest Management services and research that integrated biocontrols and alternatives to pesticides into vegetable and berry crop production. The service reduced pesticide use substantially and the company is still an integral part of the BC agriculture industry. This experience included developing biologically-based pest management programs for greenhouse strawberry and cane fruit. Her Institute has had more than 100 industry and NGO partners to bring environmentally-protective technologies and products to agriculture and horticulture in Canada and internationally. In 2019, she received the NSERC Synergy Award for these partnerships. Her research continues to be industry-relevant and focussed on cost-effective practical solutions for pests, diseases and future-proofing agriculture.
Thursday at 2:00 PM
The Development and Selection of new & better trees.
Guy has been involved with plant propagation since graduation from Merrist Wood College in 1983. First working in Holland and France before moving to the US in 1985. He has worked at JFS since then first setting up and running a new propagation program specializing in tree liner production and grafting. For the last 10 years Guy has worked as the New Plant Development Manager at JFS.
Wednesday at 8:45 AM
Ever thought about LED for Tissue Culture?
Hannah Ball is the Technical Sales Specialist for RAYN Growing Systems and helps growers and researchers find the best lighting solution for their applications. A key part to matching customers with lighting systems, Hannah creates light simulations to ensure systems are optimized and meet project specifications. Previously, Hannah was a Plant Genetics Lab Manager at the University of Wyoming Research and Extension Center. There she performed genetic transformations and maintained plant material in tissue culture. Hannah then worked at Plenty Unlimited Inc. as a Research Associate of Lighting. Researching the quality, duration, and intensity of light necessary to reach crop goals. She has been educating researchers and growers on RAYN Growing Systems capabilities for four years. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Horticulture and Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Management from the University of Wyoming in 2017 and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Black Hills State University in 2023.
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Recycled Fertigation Water Management & In-House Nutrient Monitoring
• Mindy Neels is a Lead Grower at Qualitree Propagators, where she specializes in the finishing and flowering of ornamental crops. Over the past seven years at Qualitree, she has taken on key responsibilities in integrated pest management (IPM), climate strategy, and crop development—all while pursuing studies through the University of the Fraser Valley. Most recently, Mindy has assumed a leading role in managing Qualitree’s fertilizer and water recycling program, overseeing the daily operations and contributing to the company’s ongoing sustainability efforts in this vein. When not walking the crops Mindy enjoys camping, hiking the many trails our locale has to offer, and playing soccer.
Stephanie Saccomano has been with Qualitree Propagators for seven years, contributing in a range of growing-focused roles. She has played a key part in managing the company's day-to-day fertilizer program and, for the past year, has served as the Production Technical Lead. In this role, she supports Qualitree’s Research & Development initiatives, GCP/CNCP compliance programs, and overall production planning. Stephanie studied both livestock and horticulture at the University of the Fraser Valley, reflecting her deep interest in local agriculture and continuous learning. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing and exploring creative pursuits.
Wednesday at 9:15 AM
Dr. Sma Zobayed, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in plant tissue culture, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Sma Biotech and Chief Science Officer of Segra International, based in British Columbia. With over 25 years of commercial and research experience, he holds a Ph.D. in Plant Tissue Culture from the University of Hull, UK, and has authored more than 50 scientific publications and two patents in the field.
Dr. Zobayed has spearheaded large-scale micropropagation operations, notably scaling JRT Nurseries’ output from tens of thousands to millions of plants annually, and advanced Segra’s cannabis tissue culture capabilities to support platform-level production with robust genetic fidelity and pathogen-free protocols. He is a thought leader in bioreactor-based propagation, photoautotrophic systems, and merge of R&D with commercial application to solve real-world horticultural challenges.
A frequent speaker and mentor, he educates growers globally on best practices in tissue culture, emphasizing high-throughput, clean-start systems that boost vigor, uniformity, and yield—while preserving cultivar genetics.
Thursday at 4:00 PM
DeVonne’s passion is to make gardening more inviting for upcoming generations of young homeowners. He serves as Executive Vice President for Van Belle Nursery and President of Bloomin’ Easy Plants – a consumer brand of ornamental shrubs and perennials focusing on bringing low maintenance, beautiful plants to the market. Bloomin’s Easy is also dedicated to offering the most innovative, tech savvy support in the industry. When he’s not abroad hunting for new plants, he enjoys trail running, golfing, and reading a great novel.
Shelby’s passion is plants and teaching others about them. She oversees all trials and plant releases as the Program Manager for Bloomin’ Easy Plants. Bloomin’ Easy Plants currently includes both a shrub and perennials program...with more categories on the horizon. When she’s not at the nursery or traveling to find new plants, she’ll likely be out hiking, in her cut flower garden, playing sports or out on the lake with family and/or friends.
Friday at 11:00 AM
Throughout my career I have enjoyed a variety of dynamic and engaging responsibilities mainly focused in exploring strategies to mitigate pest problems. Relying on cohesive approaches of environmentally sound pest management tactics while enhancing plant health.
I hold a Masters of Pest Management (MPM) from Simon Fraser University (SFU).
For the past 25 years I have been an instructor of plant health at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU).
For the past 10 years I have had consulting business where I diagnose plant health problems in the production and landscape sectors and provide safe and sustainable solutions.
Friday at 11:30 AM
Dani joined the Plant Products Biobest team in 2022 as a Biobest IPM Specialist for growers in Western Canada. She went to school for IPM and Entomology, working as a university and federal government researcher before moving into ornamental growing and technical sales. Her background in entomopathogens, insect husbandry, and coleoptera life history offers a specialized approach to sustainable, systematic, and science-based methods of growing and IPM. Outside of work she loves spending time outdoors, playing video and tabletop games, and trying new food!
C: 236-339-5024
E: [email protected]
Veronica is passionate for biological control, she is originally from Argentina and has been working on IPM since 1996. She is an Agricultural Engineer from the University of Buenos Aires and holds a MSc Degree from the University of British Columbia. She started her career with a distributor of Biobest in 2005 (The Bug Factory) in the west coast of Canada, and has been assisting greenhouse and field growers in Canada, USA, Mexico and Central America since then. Veronica was appointed Product Manager of Biopesticides for Biobest from 2016-2022. After the integration with Plant Products she continues to support reps and growers all over USA and Canada as IPM Technical & Development Lead.
Wednesday at 11:15 AM
Mia Gabrielson is a forward-thinking leader in agricultural technology with a passion for driving innovation in modern farming. She began her career with Turn Tech Solutions Inc., where she gained valuable experience at the intersection of technology and agriculture.
Building on that foundation, Mia went on to establish SkyAG Solutions Inc., a company dedicated to delivering cutting-edge precision agriculture services. By harnessing drone technology, data analytics, and advanced tools, SkyAG helps farmers operate more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably.
Mia’s vision is to support the future of farming with practical, future-ready solutions—empowering growers to adopt smarter practices that deliver measurable results and long-term impact.
Packages & PricingPrices are in United States Dollar (USD).Pre-Conference Tour Package and Conference Package prices will increase by $100 USD after August 1.Online Registration is subject to credit card processing fees.
Pre-Conference Tour Package - Limited to 49 PeopleIncludes the Tuesday Pre-Conference Tour, the Wednesday & Thursday Conference Tours, all speaker sessions, and scheduled meals, Tuesday reception & banquet. IPPS Members $500 USD | Non-Member $630 USD | Student $400 USD
Conference Tour PackageIncludes the Wednesday & Thursday Conference Tours, all speaker sessions, scheduled meals, Tuesday reception & banquet.IPPS Members $400 USD | Non-Member $530 USD | Student $350 USD
Single Day - Wednesday/ThursdayIncludes the option to attend Wednesday or Thursday speakers sessions and tour. Includes breakfast and lunch but does not include a banquet ticket for Thursday single-day attendees. Banquet tickets can be purchased separately.IPPS Members $200 USD | Non-Member $250 USD | Student $175 USD
Single Day - FridayIncludes Friday morning speaker sessions and continental breakfast. Please note, we will adjourn the meeting by noon on Friday. This is a half day registration. IPPS Members $100 USD | Non-Member $150 USD | Student $75 USD
Banquet TicketBanquet tickets are for guests that are not attending the conference or Thursday single day registrants that would like to attend the banquet.$100 USD/person
Online registration is subject to credit card processing fees. If you would like to pay by check, please download a registration form and mail in with a check.
Download Printable 2025 Registration Form.pdf
Select this box if you have completed payment for the 2025 membership year.
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Includes Tuesday pre-conference tour, all speaker sessions, Wednesday & Thursday tours, all scheduled meals & banquet.
Includes all speaker sessions, Wednesday & Thursday tours, all scheduled meals & banquet.
Includes the option to attend Wednesday or Thursday speakers sessions and tour. Includes breakfast and lunch but does not include a banquet ticket for Thursday single-day attendees. Banquet tickets can be purchased separately.
Includes Friday morning speakers and continental breakfast. Please note, the meeting will adjourn by noon. This is a half day registration.
For guests that are not attending the full conference or Thursday single day registrants that would like to attend the banquet.
5 minute presentation on Friday morning.
Student poster presentations.
Silent Auction proceeds will be allocated to the Bruce Briggs Scholarship fund and IPPS Exchange Programs.
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See below for total + processing & fees. If you would like to avoid processing fees, please mail a registration form and pay by check.
Cancelations must be received before August 1, 2025 for full refund (minus fees). Any cancelations after August 1, 2025 are subject to approval for full refund.
