Nearly 1000 global public garden professionals will gather under the theme Inspiring Innovation to advance public horticulture and community impact.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – May 18, 2026 – The American Public Gardens Association (APGA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference in San Francisco, California, from June 8–12, 2026. The annual event brings together nearly 1,000 public garden professionals for five days of education, networking, and collaboration.
The 2026 conference theme, Inspiring Innovation, reflects the city of San Francisco, long recognized as a global center of creativity and forward thinking. Each year, the conference is hosted in a different region. This year, Host Gardens Filoli and the Gardens of Golden Gate Park will welcome colleagues from across North America and beyond our borders to the Bay Area and showcase their work to the industry. .
The multi-day conference will feature distinguished keynote speaker, Rue Mapp, founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and inspiring Black leadership and connections in nature. Plenary speakers, Gregg Castro and Sara Moncada of the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone will also present, with Castro presenting on land acknowledgement Indigenous stewardship.
Participants will engage in member-led sessions and expert workshops spanning horticulture, plant conservation, leadership, education, and community engagement. This year’s schedule offers over 140 sessions addressing some of the industry’s top concerns like workforce issues, conservation, cultural relevance, sustainability and disaster readiness. These sessions are presented by experienced garden professionals, students in the field, and industry experts reflecting the depth and breadth of the Association’s educational programming. Attendees also look forward to the Association Awards ceremony, special events, evening receptions, and exclusive garden tours.
“We are excited to invite our members to San Francisco for the 2026 Annual Conference,” said Michelle Provaznik, CEO of the American Public Gardens Association. “It is a full-circle moment for me as I return to the Bay Area, the place that ultimately launched my horticulture and public garden career. Our Annual Conference provides an invaluable opportunity for public garden professionals to connect in person, exchange ideas, and learn from one another through meaningful educational sessions, inspiring tours, and special events. The Association is proud to foster innovation, collaboration, and leadership across our network as we work together to advance public gardens as essential resources for plants and people.”
“We’re thrilled to bring this conference back to San Francisco for the first time in 20 years! So much has changed since then, including the establishment of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park which combines the iconic Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and San Francisco Botanical Garden in a unified and innovative public/private partnership with San Francisco Recreation & Park,” said Stephanie Linder, CEO of Gardens of Golden Gate Park.
“We’re preparing for an extraordinary celebration of public gardens, creativity, stewardship, and shared purpose this summer at Filoli,” said Kara Newport, president & CEO at Filoli. “As we welcome the global public garden community as a host of the American Public Gardens Association Annual Conference, it’s an opportunity to share not just our spaces, but the spirit of connection, curiosity, and care that define Filoli and the magic of the Peninsula. Having attended the conference in 2006 as a first-time executive director of a garden, I know firsthand how meaningful these gatherings can be in inspiring new ideas, lasting partnerships, and a shared vision for the future of public gardens.”
Public gardens play an increasingly vital role in biodiversity and conservation, education, tourism, and community well-being. “Each garden offers a unique sense-of-place. While audiences can read about them, at the end of the day, gardens demand your feet on the ground and maybe your hands in the soil,” said Provaznik. “That’s why our industry still gathers in different gardens each year to appreciate and learn from these incredibly special spaces.” Professional development remains central to the Association’s mission, equipping members with the knowledge and tools needed to grow and sustain their institutions.
APGA has been welcomed to the city by our host gardens Filoli and Gardens of Golden Gate Park and our local partner organizations: Cypress Lawn, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, The Presidio, San Francisco Recreation & Parks, Sonoma Botanical Garden, and Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy.
