Organization also announces HortScholars winners for 2015
Plantscape Institute of America (PIA) is becoming part of AmericanHort, bringing hundreds of plantscape firms and product suppliers along with it. Founded in 1990 by the consolidation of four California associations, PIA currently serves members throughout the United States and Canada.
“We are eager to finalize our partnership and officially become part of the AmericanHort community,” said Tim Konig, executive chairman of PIA and owner of European Gardens in Colleyville, Texas. “We have been working with AmericanHort for several years on a variety of programs and this now culminates our vision of increasing support for plantscape professionals and their firms.”
Michael V. Geary, president and CEO of AmericanHort, said his organization has long been “an advocate for the use of living plants in interior landscapes and we expect this merger will lead to greater opportunities for all firms providing interior products and services.”
Meanwhile, AmericanHort also announced this week its selection of six students to serve as the year’s HortScholars. The program provides students with a professional development experience that increases their knowledge, industry awareness and career enthusiasm, according to AmericanHort’s announcement.
The 2015 HortScholars are as follows: Sarah Leach Smith, University of Delaware; Bobby Nance, Virginia Tech; Madeline Olberg, Purdue University; Nick Sobecki, Ohio University; Emily Teng, University of Hawaii; and William Yoho Jr., Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute.
HortScholars will be attending AmericanHort’s Cultivate’15 event July 11-14 in Columbus, Ohio. HortScholars will assist the Generation Next Community with events, conduct presentations that share their insight into industry issues, attend the exhibitions and educational sessions, meet with industry mentors and network at various social events.
