Welcome to the yearly Conference Registration Page

Midwest Native Plant Conference

Whether you’re an attendee, vendor, sponsor, or exhibitor, you can find all the information you need here. We update this page frequently as we continue to plan the event. Be sure to subscribe to our member email list to receive the link to register as soon as registration opens. If you can’t make the conference or the Native Plant & Artisan Sale, we recommend contacting our 2024 conference sponsors and vendors as a quality source for your native plant needs!

Join our Mailing list

The conference is very popular and fills up within hours, so we recommend registering immediately to secure your spot and preferred activities. We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

The 3-day conference registration will open in March, 2025.

Sponsors, Vendors and Exhibitors will open in January, 2025.

Mark your calendars for the

16th Midwest Native Plant Conference

from August 1-3, 2025
at the Bergamo Center in Beavercreek, Ohio
This page is updated regularly.

Our 2025 conference plant, Dense Blazing-star, Liatris spicata. Wildlife pictured: Red-spotted Purple Butterfly, Limenitis arthemis, Camouflaged Looper caterpillar (larval form), with the (adult form) Wavy-lined Emerald Moth, Synchlora aerata and Common Eastern Bumblebee, Bombus impatiens.
Artist: Ann E. Geise,

Registration opens for Sponsors, Vendors, and Exhibitors on January 5, 2025. Registration for attendees will open in March 2025. The registration link is sent to our email membership first. Conference proceeds will benefit local conservation organizations. Conference documents are listed below as they become available so that you can view our agenda, speakers, presentation, and field trips in advance of registration.

Attendees

  • 3-Day Agenda – the conference begins on Friday afternoon and concludes on Sunday.
  • The weekend includes 3 keynote presentations, indoor and outdoor breakout sessions, and day & night field trips on Friday and Saturday.
  • Sunday morning field trips are offsite and offer unique habitats with expert trip leaders to various locations.
  • Attendees of conference programs and field trips can earn CEUs from various agencies and organizations. Please contact them for details. We are happy to provide documentation.
  • Refunds: Due to conference commitments, we can not offer full refunds within 4 weeks of any event.
  • Conference sponsors, vendors, and Exhibitors are listed below as they register.
  • The public will be invited to the Native Plant & Artisan Sale on Saturday conference day at 10:00 am. Parking directions with a registration link will be sent to our members’ email list first. Only straight native species can be sold at the conference.

Sponsors, Vendors, Exhibitors

  • On January 5, by clicking this link, Sponsors, Vendors, & Exhibitors can register. Registration closes on June 30, 2025 or until all spots are filled.
  • Sponsor levels that include one or more full conference registrations can register to attend the conference before the general public. Last year we sold out in 3 hours.
  • Setup:  Friday afternoon no earlier than 12:30 p.m. and Saturday morning between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Vendors can sell from setup until Sunday morning at 10:00 am.
  • All Vendors & Sponsors are listed below and updated frequently. This listing will remain active for one year.
  • The public is invited to shop on Saturday for the Native Plant & Artisan Sale. Only straight native plant species can be sold at the conference.
  • First-time selling vendors and Exhibitors should contact midwestnativeplants@gmail.com to be approved before you register.
  • Attendees of conference programs and field trips can earn CEUs from various agencies and organizations. Please contact them for details. We are happy to provide documentation.

Conference Documents

  • Weekend Agenda
  • Speakers & Programs
  • Sunday Field Trips

Keynote Speakers 2025

Neil DiBoll, Prairie Garden Design Principles

Heather Holm, Native Predatory Wasps: Their Role as Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Bill Finch, Why the South is the future of Midwestern forests, grasslands and gardens

Indoor Programs

  • Dr. Kellen Calinger, The flowering times, they are a’changing
  • Rebecca Wood, Permaculture
  • Gale Martin, Seed Collection & Propagation of Native Plants
  • Bill Whorrall,

Outdoor Programs

  • Michele Banker, DIY Growing Native Plants & Meec Nursery Tour
  • Tom Borgman, Invasive Plants I & II
  • Judy Semroc
  • Jim McCormac

Native Plant & Artisan Sale

The conference attracts over 225 attendees. On Saturday at 10:00 am, the public can visit conference vendors and exhibitors for free. We won’t require specific shopping time slots this year, but we need to know how many are shopping to manage parking, staff, and next year’s sale alerts. Attending sponsors, vendors, and exhibitors will be updated as they register. Thank you!

Conference Sponsors 2024

Trillium Level-Includes vendors

Ann Geise Art

Ann Geise’s art celebrates nature with all its diversity, beauty, and interconnections. Find native plants, insects, birds, and more on a variety of fine art prints, note cards, and tiles.www.anngeiseart.com.

Bill and Karen Whorrall

Bill Whorral has an M.F.A. degree in printmaking. He enjoys teaching art although he is retired as a teacher. He likes to work in all media, letting the concept drive the materials. https://www.billwhorrallart.com

Natives in Harmony

Gale Martin the owner of Natives in Harmony, operates on the belief that our customers’ needs are of the utmost importance. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals. We welcome the chance to show you how using Ohio native plants in the landscape can save you money, provide great wildlife habitat, and less yard work for you.

MEEC

MEEC-Marianist Environmental Education Center, founded by Bro. Don Geiger, established nurseries to protect, propagate, and distribute local genotypes of native plants. They host an annual native plant public sale and lead native plant education programs.

Native BEE-Ginnings

We are a native seed company with the majority of production of Ohio Ecotype species in northeast Ohio and headquartered in Meadville PA.

Deeply Rooted Landscapes

Deeply Rooted Landscapes is a veteran and woman-owned native plant landscaping company and nursery serving the Miami Valley and Dayton, Ohio, area since 2019. DRL grows and sells native Ohio trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, spring ephemerals, and more! Our services for clients include garden consultations, design, installation, invasive plant removal, and plant sales. Your Yard Is Habitat!


Tom and Gina Patt

Native plant lovers and conservationists!

persimmon Level

The Milkweed Patch, LLC

Located in Troy, Ohio just north of Dayton, The Milkweed Patch provides several varieties of Ohio native milkweed and plants that support monarch butterflies and other insects. Consultation and public speaking.

OPN Seed

Your Source for Native Grass and Wildflower Seed. OPN Seed has been your source for native wildflowers, native grasses, and high-quality native seed mixes since 1998. Whether you’re new to planting native or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered.

Hepatica Level

Premium Vendors 2024

Bluebell Level

Exhibitors 2024

Violet Level

Refund Policy

  • We can process a full refund to your original payment method within 60 days of the registration opening date. After 60 days, the process is a manual check.
  • Unfortunately, we are not able to provide full refunds within 6 weeks of the event due to our obligations to our conference partners.
  • A $10.00 vendor fee will be deducted from the amount originally paid for each registration.
  • Donations are non-refundable unless you specifically request a refund.
  • Lodging is not included in your conference registration. If you paid to stay at the Bergamo Center, you must contact them to cancel.