2024 AMGA STATE CONFERENCE and ANNUAL MEETING “Paradise Found”

April 22-24, 2024
Daphne Civic Center
2603 US Hwy 98
Daphne, Alabama

To Register: On-line registration is preferred. To register and pay on-line by credit card, click on link: 

http://c.planetreg.com/AMGA2024CONF

NOTE: A personal PayPal account is NOT required to register on-line. PayPal is the credit card processing service and will accept VISA and MasterCard.

To Register and Pay by Check: Please make checks payable to AMGA and mail along with this completed form to:

AMGA
c/o Z. Bauer
465 W 23rd. Avenue
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542

Please allow two weeks to receive an email confirmation of your registration. It is your responsibility to confirm receipt of your registration. Please email [email protected] or phone/text 251.752.7755 if you feel you have been overlooked.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

This cancellation and refund policy applies to all 2024 AMGA State Conference registrations. By registering for the conference, attendees agree to comply with this policy.

1. Cancellation Periods:
– On or before March 22: all conference fees will be refunded with the exception of any PlanetReg and PayPal processing fees incurred at the time of registration.
– After March 22: All refund requests received after March 22 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The BCMG Steering Committee reserves the right to assess each cancellation request individually and make refund decisions accordingly.

2. No-Refund Scenarios:
– No-shows will not be considered for refund.
– Due to our vendor commitments, we are unable to refund registrant or guest meal costs, Tee-shirt orders, workshop fees and PlanetReg and PayPal processing fees after March 22.

4. Process for Cancellation:
– Registrants must formally submit a letter of cancellation and request for a refund by contacting [email protected].
– Please include “Cancellation 2024 AMGA State Conference,” in the subject line.
– Include a short explanation of the situation necessitating your need to cancel.
– Cancellation requests will be reviewed within 14 days of reception and you will receive notification via email regarding a decision and the amount of refund due back to you.

5. Refund Disbursement:
Once approved all refunds will be issued by the state AMGA treasurer in the form of a check. We are unable to directly refund your credit card.

Hotel Accommodations

The following hotels have reserved blocks of rooms for conference attendees. All hotels are conveniently located 1 mile from the Daphne Civic Center.  Conference rate is available until March 23, 2024.  The reservation code is AMG and you may make a reservation by calling the number provided or by clicking on this link:  

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/amgaconferencedaphne2024/

Hampton Inn     251.626.2220
Complimentary hot breakfast; all rooms equipped with a microwave and mini fridge.
1 King/2 Queen city view $135
1 King/2 Queen bay view $145

Hilton Garden Inn     251.625.0020
Full on site restaurant. All rooms equipped with a microwave and mini fridge.
1 King $139/2 Queen $149

Homewood Suite     251.621.0100
Complimentary hot breakfast, full kitchen in all suites.
1 King Studio Suite (sleeps 4) $144
1 King 1 Bedroom Suite (sleeps 4) $144

Room rates subject to all applicable state and local taxes and fees. Hotel check-in time is 3 pm and checkout is 12 noon.  Parking is FREE at the above hotels and at the Daphne Civic Center

Conference Tour Descriptions

Village Point Park and Birding Tour-Monday morning. This birding hotspot is a beautiful natural wildlife habitat with well-maintained pathways for easy walking. A local Audubon member will lead the tours at 7 and 9 a.m. for best viewing of Mobile Bay shore birds. Bring binoculars and walking shoes. Meet in parking lot at 27710 Main Street, Daphne, AL

The Giving Garden
Enjoy this neat and orderly raised community garden created by Beth Branch to provide fresh produce for the Ecumenical Ministries of Fairhope food pantry. A team of neighbors and friends assist in tending this garden built 2 years ago with input from a landscape architect and Master Gardeners. It is a peaceful garden that incorporates a fountain, wooden shed, irrigation system and drainage control.

Historic Register Home This historic Spanish-style home built in 1923 is a wonderful example of co-mingling the practical with the artistic, incorporating several varieties of citrus, banana, and even an olive tree with all time southern favorites like azaleas, gingers, perennials, and two koi ponds. The owners Camille and Rex Turner have also extended their love of art and antiques into this lovely garden where you will be sure to enjoy them.

Weeks Bay Reserve Pontoon Boat Tour
One of our nation’s Estuarine Research Reserves is offering a one-hour pontoon boat tour of the Weeks Bay watershed, comprised of 9,317 acres containing upland and bottomland hardwood forests, salt and freshwater marshes, and submerged aquatic vegetation where osprey, brown pelican, and water fowl abound. The boat features bench seating and a restroom. Minimum of 10 needed with a maximum of 25 per tour. Allow 50- minute drive time from Daphne Civic Center. Must arrive 15-minutes early.

Pitcher Plant Bog at Graham Creek Nature Preserve
Situated on over 600 acres owned by the city of Foley, this preserve is dedicated to the preservation of native plants and wildlife. As a naturalist narrates, a wagon tour will take you on the loop trail to the pitcher plant bog. Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this rare plant and other endangered plants up close. Board wagons at the visitor center. Maximum of 60/tour. Tour is located 50 minutes from the Civic Center. Plan accordingly as this tour will require approximately 2.5 – 3 hours for travel time and tour.

Featured Speakers

2024 AMGA State Conference Agenda

Monday, April 22

Guided Tours

Home Garden Tours- Tour at your leisure between 12:30 and 4:30 pm: Branch Home Garden Tour-The Giving Garden, Turner Home Garden Tour-Historic Home and Gardens

12:00 pm-Preconference Workshops—Session start times vary.
All workshops will be held at the Daphne Civic Center Complex. You must be pre- registered and pre-paid to attend.

Kokedama by Devonne Ellis and Judy Gobble
Literally means “moss ball” in English, you will discover and learn the Japanese art of Kokedama and create your very own arrangement.
Two sessions: 12:00 noon and 1:30 pm, $30

Build a Greenhouse Before Your Eyes
Our own BCMG team will show you how easy it is to build a small backyard greenhouse.
Two sessions: 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm $25

DIY Drip Irrigation by Jack LeCroy
Jack is the Mobile County extension agent and he will lead us through a hands-on activity to assemble drip irrigation for our own gardens.
Two sessions: 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm, $25

Build a Bee Box by Becky Estes
Attract non-aggressive solitary bees to your garden with this simple-build habitat. Two sessions: 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm $25

Native Alabama Milkweed Monarch Project and Migratory Gardens by Baldwin County extension agent Carmen Flammini who leads on this research project and will discuss the project, milkweed propagation and culture as well as building a butterfly garden.
One session: 3:30 pm, No Charge

Monday Evening

5:30-7:00 pm Welcome Social “Sunset in Paradise” Cash Bar and Hors d’oeuvres

Tuesday, April 23

Wednesday, April 24

You may download the Conference Agenda here.