2018 CANGC Convention recap

The California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers hosted their 2018 Convention Oct. 9-10 in San Diego, Calif.

Tuesday was a fun-filled day touring the San Diego Botanic Garden, Leichtag Commons and Coastal Roots Farm and a tour and tasting at Green Flash Brewing Co. The night concluded with a Welcome Reception, where industry friends and colleagues came together to socialize and share their stories.

Wednesday kicked off with breakfast and a welcome by CANGC Chairperson Ashley Rossi. The day covered a broad range of topics from emerging industry trends to upcoming legislation and regulations.

Speakers included:
• Lee Wozniak, Target Specialty Products
• Anna Felcyn, Nursery Growers Association
• Laura Krueger Prelesnik, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
• Ian Baldwin, Nursery Business Consultants
• Kristen Wernick, California Native Plant Society and Moulton Niguel Water District
• Ann Quinn, CCN Pro Director
• Mike Wronkowski, CCN Pro Committee Chair
• Louie Brown, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP
• Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort

The convention concluded with the Chairperson’s Banquet, hosted by CANGC chairperson Ashley Rossi and CANGC president Chris Zanobini. The banquet featured Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, as well as CANGC awards and a special presentation. The 2018 awards were presented to the following recipients:

Outstanding Horticulture Education Award
Ron Nishinaka
California State University, Fresno

Young Nursery Professional Award
Ashley Rossi
Green Acres Nursery & Supply and Matsuda's

Research Award
Cheryl Wilen, PhD.
University of California Cooperative Extension, Statewide IPM Program

Nursery Professional of the Year Award
Michael Frantz
Frantz Wholesale Nursery, LLC