[Music plays throughout video. Alaska, North to the Future. Video shows snow capped mountains and an ocean.]
Please make plans to join us for the 2013 International Master Gardener Conference: “Alaska, Flowers, Fjords and Friends,” September 7-14 aboard Holland America’s Westerdam cruise ship. This conference is sponsored by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and is open to all Master Gardeners in the United States, Canada and beyond. [Alaska, Flowers, Fjords and Friends . 2013 International M G Conference. Drawing of the outline of the state of Alaska and a flower. Video shows the cruise ship, passengers on board the ship, and icebergs.]
We leave from Seattle, Wash., Sept 7, 2013 and sail to Juneau, Alaska, then on to Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Seattle on Sept. 14. [Slide – Seattle, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia]
During the days when we are at sea, there will be a variety of seminars to choose from, keynote speakers and Search for Excellence Awards program. Mingle and visit with Master Gardeners from across the country and Canada. [Video shows snow covered mountains, icebergs, and a running stream.]
In the evening, you will be free to enjoy the cruise experience. During our ports of call, you may choose an optional Master Gardener garden tour, or one of the many scheduled tours offered by Holland America, or simply wander the port at your own pace. . [Video shows people dining on the ship; a sign “Welcome to Alaska’s 1st City Ketchika, the Salmon Capitol of the World. Video shows people taking pictures on a tour, a water fall, a small sea port with buildings.]
This unique opportunity gives us seven full days of educational gardening opportunities while we explore the grandeur of Alaska. The flowers and vegetables are unbelievably large with the cool, long days, and the scenery and wildlife abound. [Pictures of mushrooms growing, a whale, and a passenger train traveling around mountains.]
If you are worried about costs, comparisons have found a seven-day cruise to be more affordable than a four-day conference at a hotel, and we are going to allow you to spread out your payments for a little over a year—starting with a $350 down payment starting May 7, 2012; and monthly deposits can be made until it is totally paid in June 2013. This can be your trip on layaway. [Video shows moss growing on rocks with ferns and evergreens, yellow flowers, a waterfall, a tree, a school of fish, and cans of wild smoked Alaskan salmon.]
Friends and family are welcome to join you on the cruise, and there will be a separate registration fee to attend educational events. We will go live with conference registration Sept. 1, where you can sign up for seminars and tours. [Video shows mountain valleys with snow, plant life, moss growing heavily on vines and tree branches.]
Cruising is a relaxing and enjoyable means of travel, and we will have a captive audience on board the ship. What a great way to learn more about gardening, meet new friends, reconnect with old ones and enjoy superior food and service. [Video shows two bears, flowers, mountains with clouds hanging over the peaks, and icebergs.
We hope to see you at the 2013 International Master Gardener Conference in Alaska. [Alaska, Flowers, Fjords and Friends. 2013 International M G Conference. Drawing of the outline of the state of Alaska and a flower.]
University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 South University Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 • USA
Phone (501) 671-2000
International Master Gardener's Conference 2013
