I looked at room rates at the convention center. OMG. Even with a special rate it is outrageous. I am thinking I will attend but will stay where I always stay, at the Heathman. Really nice hotel. Accessible using light rail from the airport and also accessible to the convention center by a short walk and light rail. Early bird specials are in the $170 range. Last time I stayed it was $300-$400 a night and around the same time frame. So the early booking special is a real steal.

I booked my room at the convention hotel for around $110/ night through Expedia. Haven't decided if I'll drive or fly yet but wanted to get a room reserved....

Oh my. The hotel was quoting over $600 a night. Will look at expedia. Refundable??

Which hotel. They dont list the one the APS shows. But lots of 'convention center' hotels.

Mary, this is from the APS website:
http://www.americanpeonysociet...

Yes, there are rooms for $107 available with Expedia.com. I still don't know if I can afford this trip, will be clear in February. I am afraid the low prices will be gone by then Timing is not the best for me also - have vast planting during these days usually. Really want to go though.

Book the hotel for the rate. You cancel most hotel reservations. The rate at the hotel there at the convention center isn't that bad. If you wanted to stay there we could share the cost of a double room. If you can't make it, I don't mind going solo. You can cancel those reservations for sure. I am still trying to figure how close the light rail goes to the convention center. From prior trips I think it has a stop really close. Or if you wanted we could share a cab. But the light rail is only $2.50 for all day. Lloyd center is very close. A huge shopping center. lol

University Place Hoteland Convention Center. This rate isn't charged to your card until the day the stay starts and can be cancelled with no charge up to 24 hours before.

Ok. I found it. Will book.

Question to people who attended the APS convention before? What is a program usually? I guess the main day is Saturday. What activities are on Friday and Sunday usually? When do you think there will be excursions to peony farms?

Here is the 2017 calendar for your reference:

CONVENTION ATTENDEES:
Wednesday- May 31, 2017

2017 Convention Picnic Maps
The convention activities will start with a social and picnic dinner at Shelter 4 in Pullen Park on May 31st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Come early to enjoy the park - pedal boats on the lake, a restored historical carousel, and a train that circles the park for kids of all ages (adults too)! Dinner will be served at 6:15 pm. This will be an informal dinner with all food, beverages, and amenities provided. The event will allow you to meet up with your peony friends and to make some new ones, too! You may also pick up your convention registration packet at the picnic. (Please note that there are no day time activities planned for May 31, 2017.)

Thursday- June 1, 2017

Board a chartered motor coach at the hotel for a tour of Sarah P Duke Gardens in Durham, NC, a historic public garden on the west campus of Duke University. Enjoy a catered picnic lunch in the garden. (A box lunch and beverage(s) will be provided to tour attendees.) Then after lunch head over to the Duke Chapel for a tour of this historic icon and listen to an organ demonstration in this newly restored Chapel.

Next board the bus for an afternoon tour of NC State's JC Raulston Arboretum. With a collection of over 6,500 plants, you are sure to find something new and different at this arboretum and botanical garden. Learn more about Duke Gardens at gardens.duke.edu and the JC Raulston Arboretum at jcra.ncsu.edu.

OPTIONAL ADD ON: Thursday evening - APS Board of Directors meeting and dinner at the hotel. All APS Members are welcome to attend an intimate dinner with the APS Board of Directors.

Friday- June 2, 2017

Board a chartered motor coach at the hotel for a tour of plant hunter Tony Avent's Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden. His gardens contain a wide variety of the newest and best garden plants from around the world. Plant Delights is a mail order nursery. There are only a few opportunities allowed to tour and purchase plants directly from their greenhouses each year. So you won't want to miss out on this exclusive opportunity! Staff will be available to help with plant selection and purchases. For additional information about Plant Delights check out their web site at www.plantdelights.com.

Get a taste of NC during lunch with NC's own Smithfield Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q which will be catered on site at Plant Delights Nusery.

After lunch we will tour Adriana Feng's Southern Peony Gardens which contain a wide variety of plants including an extensive peony collection. Afterwards you may return back to the hotel for a Peony Exhibition Judge's Training class and/or an Exhibiting Peonies class.

Saturday- June 3, 2017

Saturday morning's schedule begins with the preparation for the APS Flower Exhibition. After the judging and awards have been placed, the exhibition will be FREE and open to the public from 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Vendors will be selling peonies and peony gardening related merchandise. Three different educational seminars, which will also be FREE and open to the public, will be held in the afternoon starting at 1:30pm.

Saturday Seminars:
1:30pm GROWING PEONIES FROM SEED by Nate Bremer, Solaris Farms
2:30pm PEONY FLOWER TRANSFORMATION & CLASSIFICATION by Lore Sampson, Rarity Gardens
3:30pm PEONY PROPOGATION: ROOT DIVISION DEMONSTRATION by Piet Wierstra, Oregon Perennial Company

In the evening there will be a social hour, followed by a buffet dinner, the annual general membership meeting, and the highly anticipated banquet auction which will feature a wide array of items ranging from time tested favorite peonies varieties to the newest and very rare peony varieties.

Sunday- June 4, 2017

The APS Flower Exhibition reopens for public viewing from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Vendors will be selling peonies and peony gardening related merchandise during this time. Convention packets will also include a list of local nurseries you are welcome to visit. As always, your assistance in cleaning up of the APS Flower Exhibition is always appreciated.

anyagoro said:Question to people who attended the APS convention before? What is a program usually? I guess the main day is Saturday. What activities are on Friday and Sunday usually? When do you think there will be excursions to peony farms?

Well, have my hotel reservation. I booked a double in case Anya can make it. Waiting a bit to book the plane. Not sure if I am going Delta or Alaska Airlines.

I am looking forward to all of you reporting back to us after the conference.

Take lots of pictures ! Please ?

Absolutely

Karen, did you go last year I think?? What was the cost for the convention?

Still no details on the conference but I have booked the hotel as well as airfare. But got travel insurance on the airfare just in case. Of course, I can always use a trip to Portland just for the fun. lol

The details of the 2018 Convention are posted on the APS website! It sounds like it is going to be wonderful!!
I can't go, those who can surely will have a great time!

Thank you!!

Edited: I tried to register online but couldn't figure it out. So mailing my registration today. I already made my hotel reservation. Need to check to verify that I got the convention rate.

Filled out form and paid on PayPal.

My husband is going with me, just sent the schedule of events to him to see if he's going to participate in anything or if I can just register for myself. This is going to be a WONDERFUL convention! I'll take tons of pics to post! There is plenty of time to register at the early bird rate, have up until 1 Apr...

Changed my tickets to one day earlier because wanted to see Adelman's. I hoped they would be on Friday A lot of tours!