2026 GMGA Annual Conference
PRESERVING THE PAST WHILE FOSTERING THE FUTURE
October 16-17, 2026
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Savannah, GA
Exciting speakers | educational tours | catered Friday night dinner | unique vendors | door prizes | continental breakfast | salad/sandwich buffet lunch | silent auction
Are you interested in being a sponsor at the conference? Please click here.
Conference Agenda - Friday, October 16
10:00 - 12:00 and 2:00-4:00 Guided Tour – Bonaventure Cemetery – 1 mile walking tour, max 30 each; 10% discount of posted cost. Please use this link to register for the 10am tour or this link to register for the 2pm tour. Pre-Paid reservations are required for this site.
10:00 – 4:00 Self-Guided Tour – Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens – No Charge with GMGA Conference Registration
1:15-2:15 Guided Tour – Green-Meldrim House – cost $12, paid onsite; max 10 POC – Jamie Credle - 912-233-3845
2:00 – 3:30 Docent Guided Tour – Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens – No Charge with GMGA Conference Registration; 2 tours, max 12 each POC – Karen Menatti - 571-217-6373; meet at Andrews Visitor Center
2:00-3:30 Guided Tour – Savannah Citrus Grove – No Charge, max 30 POC if lost Richard Krauss - 912-508-3418
2:00 – 3:30 Guided Tour – Savannah Botanical Garden - $15 to include mocktails and nibbles following tour; $5 tour only; fee to be paid onsite; POC – Jane Von Trapp 203-313-3245
2:00 – 3:30 Guided Tour – Judge Solomon Camellia Trail, led by Gene Phillips - $10, fee collected onsite; Max 20 POC – Karen Menatti - 571-217-6373; meet at entrance to the Judge Solomon Camellia Garden (at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden)
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS.
5:30-7:00 Catered dinner at the Pavilion – Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens – Cost is included in the price of the conference; Additional guests $25
Conference Agenda - Saturday, October 17
8:00-8:45 Registration | Swag Bags | Continental Breakfast | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction
8:45-9:30 Welcome & Introduction | General Housekeeping Announcements | GMGA President Opening Remarks / Annual Meeting | People’s Choice Award Details | 2026 Grant Award | UGA State MGEV Coordinator - Remarks & Agent Award
9:30-10:15 SPEAKER: Alana Edwards – Plant Phenology
10:15-10:45 Break | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award
10:45-11:30 SPEAKER: Tom Cooler – Growing Citrus in Georgia
11:30-12:30 Lunch | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award
12:30-1:15 SPEAKER: Caroline Shaw – Invasive Species in Georgia
1:15-1:45 Break | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award
1:45-2:30 SPEAKER: Becky Griffin – Developing Future Gardeners
2:30-3:00 Final Break | Vendor Sales | Silent Auction | People's Choice Award
3:00-3:45 Panel of Specialists led by Becky Griffin – Working with Youth
3:45-4:00 Closing remarks | Silent Auction Results | People’s Choice Award | Door Prize Distribution
Tour Information
Bonaventure Cemetery Tours
Please use the links below to register for the Bonaventure Tour. There is a maximum of 30 guests each.
October 16, 2026, 10:00 am Bonaventure Cemetery Tour
October 16, 2026, 2:00 pm Bonaventure Cemetery Tour
You may also share the code "GAMGCA" to receive 10% off a regular ticket. There is also Senior and Military pricing available.
• Tours are approximately 2 hours in length and cover about 1 mile of walking over some sandy areas, gravel, and uneven terrain.
• Bonaventure Cemetery Tours focus on the history, art, symbolism, and notable residents of one of the world's most beautiful cemeteries. Guests also enjoy the cemetery's stunning natural setting, majestic live oaks, and scenic landscape.
• Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
• Tours operate rain or shine unless conditions are deemed dangerous. In the event of a passing storm, we allow a brief weather delay when possible before considering cancellation.
• Advance reservations are strongly recommended, as space is limited.
Our meeting location is inside the Jewish Entrance of Bonaventure Cemetery at 330 Bonaventure Road. Please arrive 10–15 minutes prior to your tour's departure time. Your guide will meet you between the red brick building and the public restrooms.
POC – Angela Lynn – 912-292-0960
Self-Guided Tours of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Hours of Operation: Friday, October 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2 Canebrake Road
Savannah, Georgia. 31419
coastalbg.uga.edu
Director: Elise Zador
Check-in at the gift shop inside the Andrews Visitor Center; tell them you are with the GMGA conference. Admission is Free for Conference Attendees.
Docent Led Tours of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Director: Elise Zador
Meet at the Andrews Visitor Center
2 Canebrake Road
Savannah, Georgia. 31419
Time: Friday, October 16 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
TWO TOURS LIMITED TO 12 Participants each
Cost: FREE
POC: Karen Menatti
571-217-6373
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (CGBG) mission is to provide education, public outreach, and applied research in horticultural and environmental sciences. We strive to provide, practical community classes, inspiring and dynamic school programs and spectacular plant collections that educate visitors to the many roles that plants play in our lives.
The Garden is a top Savannah attraction that serves as a museum of plants, a tranquil escape, a living classroom, and an impressive, historic venue for special events for more than 100,000 annual visitors.
Both tours begin at the Andrews Visitors Center
The Green-Meldrim House
14 W. Macon Street, Madison Square,
Savannah, GA. 31401
info@greenmeldrimhouse.org
912.233.3845
The Green-Meldrim house was built in 1850 under the supervision of architect John Norris. This ornate example of Gothic Revival Architecture has exquisite interior and exterior details such as plaster moldings and exceptional ironwork. It's history is as rich, varied, and complicated as Savannah itself.
The Tour is non ADA compliant and there is no wheelchair access. Service animals are welcome.
POC: Jamie Credle (912-233-3845
Tour from 1:15-2:15 P.M.
TOUR LIMITED TO 10 Participants
Cost: $12, paid onsite
Savannah Citrus Grove
201 Burton Road, Savannah, GA 31405
Owner: Tom Cooler
Nestled along the tailwaters of the little Ogeechee River in Savannah, Georgia, Savannah Citrus is a grower and purveyor of premium Cocktail Citrus fruits. We specialize in unique citrus varieties developed at the University of Georgia and are proud members of the Georgia Citrus Association. Discover the exceptional flavors of our fresh, locally-grown citrus. A side business developed from excess citrus resulted in Sisters Lemonade, a Business Partner, offering handcrafted lemonade from Atlanta, GA. This family- owned business crafts each batch with fresh, all-natural, and local ingredients, including our iChang lemons. Savannah Citrus is a member of Georgia Grown.
No cost
Tour from 2:00 to 3:30 P.M.
This tour is limited to 30 participants
POC if lost: MG Richard Krauss (912)508-3418
Savannah Botanical Gardens
1388 Eisenhower Drive
Savannah, Georgia
POC: Jane Von Trapp
203-313-3245
Friday, October 16 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 per person with mocktails and nibbles after the tours or $5 for just the tour. Fee to be paid onsite.
Duration: 90 minutes
TOUR LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS
The Savannah Botanical Garden is Savannah’s other beautiful botanical garden featuring native plants, a parterre herb garden, a spectacular rose garden, and walking paths through native woods. This 10 acre property is completely volunteer maintained by eight local garden clubs as well as local Master Gardeners who will offer docent-led tours highlighted by a true example of an 1840’s Southern farmhouse, known as the Reinhard House, only one of two pre-Civil War farmhouses in the Savannah area. It was moved to its present location in 1992, and lovingly restored by the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs. Be sure to cap off your experience by enjoying a refreshing herbal mocktail and nibbles under the shade of our pavilion overlooking the pond. We look forward to hosting you!
The property is not fully ADA compliant.
Tour of the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail with Gene Phillips
Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden
2 Canebrake Road
Friday, October 16 from 2:00 to 3:30
TOUR LIMITED TO 20 participants
COST: $10 – paid onsite
POC: Karen Menatti 571-217-6373
The Judge Solomon Camellia Trail is home to one of the most diverse and unique camellia collections in North America. The garden was named after Arthur Solomon, who served as a Chatham County commissioner for 46 years. A beloved figure, he was co-founder of the American Camellia Society and was known for beautifying Savannah roadways with live oaks, camellias, azaleas and palm trees. He was given the honorary title of “Judge” for his years of service to the community.
Mr. Phillips, owner of Gene’s Camellia World, has been an expert camellia grower for over 65 years. He is a well-respected figure in both the international and national camellia community and is instrumental in providing advice to the Master Gardeners and Camellia Society members as they seek to have this camellia garden recognized as an International Garden of Excellence.
Membership Status
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