94th Annual GCFM Convention
June 17, 2026 - June 18, 2026
PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
The St. Croix District
Invites you to
The 94th Annual GCFM Convention
“Gardens at First Light”
June 17th & 18th
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center
Bar Harbor, Maine
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday, June 16th
5 – 6:30 p.m.
GCFM LIFE MEMBER RECOGNITION RECEPTION
Hosted by the St. Croix District at the Garland Farm, 475 Bay View Drive, Bar Harbor
Garland Farm is located on Rt. 3, 2.8 miles from the Trenton Bridge on Mount Desert Island.
Please note: No applications for Life Memberships will be accepted at the door.
DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING FOR THIS EVENT IS JUNE 3RD.
For info on becoming a State or National Life Member CLICK HERE
Wednesday, June 17th
8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION – Atlantic Oceanside Event Center 2nd Level
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
RAFFLE, SILENT AUCTION, & VENDORS – Event Center 1st Level & Lawn
GCFM EXHIBITS – Event Center Lobby 2nd Level
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
GARDEN TOURS (Included with registration fee – see info in booklet) Take a tour of six diverse gardens!
ALTERNATE OPTIONS for those not interested in touring gardens (all included with registration fee except boat tour): 1) Omar’s Beekeeping Program at Terramor Resort, 1453 ME Rt-102 2) Film at Garland Farm about the Dutch garden designer and winner of the Beatrix Farrand Award, Piet Oudolf, and his garden designs 3) Acadian Boat Tours – An onsite business, is offering a preferred rate to all convention registrants. See brochure at registration.
LUNCH – On your own. Hotel check-in starts at 3 p.m.
4 – 5 p.m.
BUTERA THE FLORIST DEMONSTRATION – On the Piazza
Vince Butera, an award-winning wedding florist from Sedgwick, will present a floral demonstration. He has expertise in artistic floral design, destination weddings, and working with clients to fulfill their vision through individualized botanical artistry. He is certified by the American Academy of Floriculture, American Institute of Floral Designers, and Professional Floral Communicators International.
5 – 6 p.m.
PRESIDENTS’ COCKTAIL RECEPTION – At the Willows Mansion at Atlantic Oceanside
6:15 – 7:30 p.m.
DINNER – Event Center 2nd Level
7:30 – 9 p.m.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Bill Cullina, “What Do You Mean I’m Not a Perennial?”, a talk on replacing invasive plants with native woody plants. A New England native, Bill is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum & Gardens, author of several gardening books, and former Director of CMBG, where he continues as a plant curator.
Thursday, June 18th
7 – 8 a.m.
BREAKFAST – Main Building Level 1 (For Registered Hotel Guests – included with your room fee)
7 – 9 a.m.
REGISTRATION – Event Center 2nd Level
8 – 11 a.m.
GCFM EXHIBITS – Event Center Lobby 2nd Level
9 – 10 a.m.
BUSINESS MEETING – Event Center 2nd Level
10 – 10:25 a.m.
BREAK – Hotel check-out & final visit for raffles & silent auction
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
BUSINESS MEETING RESUMES – Event Center 2nd Level
12 – 1 p.m.
LUNCHEON BUFFET – Event Center 2nd Level
1 – 2 p.m.
PROGRAM – Valencia Libby, an accredited author and former 
Associate Professor of landscape architecture and horticulture, will speak on “The Roots of the Native Plant Movement”.
2 – 3 p.m.
BUSINESS MEETING RESUMES
3 p.m.
ADJOURN
Raffle & Silent Auction Winners will be posted at the back of the meeting room
Online Registration
Sorry. This form is no longer available.
TO REGISTER BY MAIL, please click on the link below, fill out the form, then print and mail with a check as noted on the form.
2026 GCFM Convention – CLICK HERE FOR MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM
