America In Bloom Plants Pride & Prosperity In American Communities

COLUMBUS, OH – Celebrating 10 years of planting pride and prosperity in local communities, it’s only fitting that America in Bloom (AIB) would return to our nation’s capital for its 2011 America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program. This national conference, which will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, October 6-8, will draw hundreds of community leaders and active citizens from across the United States.

AIB is a grassroots community revitalization program that brings citizens together to improve the quality of life in their towns. In addition to making a very visible difference through public plantings, urban forestry, and landscapes, cities and towns of all sizes showcase their commitments to environmental sustainability, community involvement, and heritage preservation. By coming together, civic and business leaders, and diverse groups of residents who want to contribute, are turning up the flower power to transform their business districts, reduce crime, and increase property values.

The perfect opportunity to learn and share ideas is the AIB symposium. This year’s program features the best in the field of public horticulture and tourism in the Washington, DC metro area – Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, United States Botanic Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, the 275-acre Capitol Grounds, and American Horticultural Society’s headquarters at George Washington’s River Farm. Learn how to grow healthy communities by working with schools on First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Cities & Towns Initiative.” Build a healthy canopy of trees and incorporate sustainable landscape solutions. Pick up ideas and solutions galore from exhibitors in the Showcase of Innovation and special gardens planted at River Farm.

Experienced AIB civic leaders and mayors will share the benefits they’ve witnessed from AIB participation and why they come back year after year. Many towns use foundations to fund beautification efforts and will share how you can, too. The symposium also includes two inspirational keynote speakers – author and television personality Joe Lamp’l of “Growing A Greener World” and Disney veteran Dennis Snow, who will reveal how committing to service excellence and high standards translates into creating a higher quality of life in your community.

In addition to two solid days of education and tours, the 2011 America in Bloom Awards Program will shine a spotlight on the best efforts from towns participating in this year’s AIB competition. Honorary guests include Edward Avalos, undersecretary of marketing and regulatory programs for USDA, and the White House’s Chief Florist Laura Dowling.

America in Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.

America in Bloom provides educational programs, resources, and the challenge of a friendly competition between participating communities across the country.

Source: America in Bloom