2025 Deep South District ARS Mid-Winter Meeting in Gainesville, FL

2025 Deep South District Mid-Winter Meeting
”Roses in Paradise” - a tropical-themed, Key West styled Event!
February 28 through March 2, 2025

Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel in Gainesville, Florida

Want some winter excitement? Then come to Gainesville this Mid-Winter for a fun, tropical-themed educational conference the weekend of February 28 to March 2, 2025.

Where: Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel and Conference Center on the north side of Gainesville, FL just west of I-75, at the 39th Avenue/SR222 exit (Exit 390). Hosted by the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society. Mid-Winter Hotel Reservation Link:

Friday afternoon, grab your secateurs and sign up for the Hands On! Florist Rose Propagation Workshop taught by Denise Abruzzese, CR. Afterward, Sandy Dixon, our beloved ARS Arrangement & Horticulture Judge, will teach us new whimsical tricks in Creating Fun Arrangements. Connect with friends and enjoy Friday night dinner at the eatery of your choice. After dinner, wander over to the Continental Mezzanine for Parrothead Snacks, Grog (beverages), and Key West styled Games - Rose Pong!

Saturday’s outstanding seminars include: “Color and Design: Companion Planting for Roses” with Victor Lazzari, Professional Landscape Designer; “Editing Tips & Tricks: Fantastic Rose Photography for Everyone” with Denise Domlesky, Photo Editor for People Magazine; and “Power Growing Roses the ‘Nelson Way’” with Clay Nelson, owner of Nelson’s Southern Roses. There will be a Deep South District Annual Meeting with Karen Prevatt, our Deep South District Director.

Angel Gardens, K&M Roses, Nelson’s Southern Roses and Rose Petal Nursery will delight us with a myriad of roses for sale on own root and Fortuniana rootstock. Purely Organics will also be there. Be sure to preorder your roses and amendments for the best selection. Most preorders for roses begin around January 15th. Vendor inventory/price lists will be emailed when available. And wonderful raffle prizes! Winners announced after the Annual Meeting and you must be present to win.

Roses in Paradise Banquet: Enjoy an excellent Margaritaville-inspired plated dinner, cash bar, and an amazing line up of Rosarian Awards and tropical fun: Anita Smith Award, Bronze Merit Award Winners and even Tropical Paradise Awards. (Tropical banquet attire is suggested - your choice of tropical-themed, business casual to semi-formal attire.) Get creative! There are chances to win super prizes for Best Key West, Jimmy Buffet or Parrothead Attire or Costume.

Sunday morning is the Consulting Rosarian (CR) School for new or recertifying CRs, however anyone can attend who wishes to learn more about growing roses. New candidates need to apply at least 30 days ahead of time by contacting our Deep South District CR Chair, Janet Newburgh at: [email protected]

Funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.

Let's head to ‘Margaritaville’ in 2025 for some relaxing, tropical fun this Mid-Winter!

Kim Wendt, 2025 Mid-Winter Chair, Greater Palm Beach Rose Society

Cell: 561-436-8555, Email: [email protected]

Host or Publisher The Greater Palm Beach Rose Society