April 4-6, 2025
Regular Attendee: Early Bird Registration (on or before February 28) $125*, March 1-31: $150* (register here)
Student Attendee: $100* (register here)
*Includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks during the meeting
Meeting Schedule
We have an exciting meeting planned for 2025 in Blacksburg, Virginia. This year’s meeting will be on the Virginia Tech campus at the Pavilion of the Hahn Horticultural Garden (200 Garden Lane). Join us for 3 days of thought-provoking presentations and discussions!
Thursday evening (optional): April 3, 2025
A low-key get-together for those who come in early enough to say hi! Let’s gather at the Cellar (302 N Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060) around 6:30 pm. The Cellar is a Blacksburg institution. If it’s nice enough, we can hang out outside; if not, there’s plenty of room indoors. Stop by when you can.
Friday: April 4, 2025
A light breakfast at the Pavilion followed by a morning of introductions and presentations with lunch, more presentations, and snacks in the afternoon. Discussions throughout and plenty of short breaks to enjoy the horticulture garden.
Join us for an optional adventure on Friday night. We’ll head down to Floyd, VA (40-minute drive) shortly after the meeting concludes for their absolutely charming town-wide Friday Night Jamboree. The center of the Jamboree is the Floyd Country Store, but there is plenty of music and dancing on the sidewalks of Locust Street.
Dinner is on your own with many restaurants that are easily walkable in downtown Blacksburg. Our favorites include Not Your Mama’s Pasta, Gillie’s (vegetarian), Hamro Kitchen, and Hefun. If you’re joining us in Floyd, we can have dinner there.
Saturday: April 5, 2025
We’ll get started a bit later in the morning to allow folks to stop by the Blacksburg Farmers Market (108 W Roanoke Street) on the way to the meeting. Another Blacksburg must. Don’t miss the epic baked goods at Big Indian Farm Bakery.
A light breakfast at the Pavilion followed by a shorter morning of presentations with lunch, more presentations, and snacks in the afternoon. Discussions throughout.
Our site host, Lisa Gunter, will be hosting this year’s IFAAB dinner at her home in Blacksburg. More details will be provided at the meeting.
Sunday: April 6, 2025
A light breakfast at the Pavilion followed by a short morning of presentations, discussions, and an early afternoon wrap-up with discussion about next year’s meeting. Boxed lunches will be provided.
Following the meeting’s conclusion, join us for an optional hike at Cascade Falls (2068 Cascade Dr, Pembroke, VA 24136). It’s a 3.7-mile hike, about 2-hours long, with scenic views and a waterfall!
Travel and Hotel Info
Nearest Airport: Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport
Travel from airport to hotel: ~40 minutes. Options: Uber/Lyft, car rental agencies are on-site at the airport. Attendees will need to arrange or coordinate a ride to/from airport. Recommended transportation services are Anderson Transportation or Uber/Lyft.
Hotel Info: The conference hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Blacksburg University (900 Plantation Rd, Blacksburg, VA). Conference rates are $122/night (+tax/fees) for a 1-king bed or a 2-queen bed room room. To confirm this rate, you must register by March 20th. There should be a mix of singles and doubles room, but this is based on availability.