Global Botanic Gardens Congress Registrations

Congress Registrations from Far and Wide

Dunedin, 30 August 2013 – More than 200 people have registered to attend the 5th Global Botanic Gardens Congress being held in Dunedin in October.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) has a three-yearly conference and Dunedin has been chosen to host this prestigious event, to coincide with the Dunedin Botanic Garden’s 150th anniversary. The city is hosting the 6th Biennial Botanic Gardens Australia & New Zealand Congress at the same time.

Dunedin Botanic Garden Team Leader Alan Matchett says the Congress will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Garden and the city.

Dunedin City Council Project Manager Hamish Black says so far 238 registrations have been received from around the world. The largest numbers to date are from the United States (49), Australia (41) and New Zealand (37). There are also delegates from Europe and a range of other countries including China, Russia, Malaysia, Thailand and Lithuania.

Mr Black says there are still sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and organisations to be involved in the Congress, which will be one of the largest conference events to be held in Dunedin. To date, just over $30,000 has been raised.

“We’re looking for any contributions, big and small, from organisations or individuals. The money is going to help run the Congress and ensure we make this a special event for the delegates, the Botanic Garden and ultimately the city.”

The Congress, which runs from 20 to 25 October, has the theme ‘Celebrating success – the influence and appeal of botanic gardens’. It will include a wide-ranging programme of keynote addresses, symposia, workshops and field trips that cover the challenges and achievements of botanic gardens and partner organisations around the world. There will also be social functions, including an evening at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.

The Congress sessions will be held at the refurbished Dunedin Centre. The public will be able to attend a talk by delegate and presenter Dr Richard Benfield, from the Central Connecticut State University, on garden tourism. Further details about the talk, which will be hosted by the Friends of the Botanic Garden, have yet to be confirmed.

For more information on the Congress, visit www.5gbgc.com.

ENDS

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