Convention Registration
Thank you for registering for The Gesneriad Society 2026 Convention in Wheeling, Illinois. If you have any questions about this registration process or if you want to make changes after your registration has been completed, please contact the Convention Registrar at [email protected].
Be sure to reserve your room at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel by using the special hotel convention link on the Convention page of The Gesneriad Society website.
Note that the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel has complimentary parking for hotel guests and visitors.
We're looking forward to seeing you in Chicagoland.
Registrant Information
Note: Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Items marked with 2 asterisks (**) are filled in automatically and cannot be changed.
Please enter your first and last name in the 2 fields below.
Clear Selection
If you volunteer to help during judging, you will be contacted by the Judges & Clerks Chairperson regarding an assignment closer to the convention.
If you volunteer, you will be contacted by the Volunteer Chairperson closer to the convention regarding specific days and times.
Admission to early plant sales on Wednesday night will be in registration number order.
The discounted Registration “Plus” fees apply to each registrant whose registration is entered online by March 15, 2026 and who orders a minimum of 7 hotel meals. Registrations made after that date will be at the full rate with no discount.
The Registration Fee includes all lectures and programs except the Judging Schools (which have a separate fee).
Note: The last day to order hotel meals is June 15.
Convention cancellation and refund policy: A 5% processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. Full or partial cancellations of convention registrations made on or before June 15 will be honored with full refunds (except for the trips if the minimum number of attendees is affected). Award Sponsorships are not refundable. Full or partial cancellations made between June 15 and June 23 will be honored with refunds based on previous commitments made to the hotel and bus/tour operators. Refunds for full or partial cancellations cannot be guaranteed if requested after June 22. The registration fee is not refundable for full cancellations made after June 15.
All prices are in U.S. dollars.
Flower Show Award Sponsorships
If an award is not listed below or is marked "Sold Out," it has already been sponsored.
If you sponsor a Flower Show Award,you may indicate the name(s) of the individual(s) in whose honor or memory the award is being being sponsored in the notes section at the bottom of this list. If there is any other information about your award that you would like to give the Awards Chairperson, please enter that in the Notes section as well, or contact the Awards Chairperson at [email protected].
Dinners include entrée, salad, bread, starch, seasonal vegetables, dessert, iced tea and hot coffee or tea.
Lunches include entrée, side, iced tea and coffee.
are available for Student and Senior classes. The Workshop is available only for Gesneriad Society certified judges.
Order 7 or more hotel meals by March 15, and receive a discount on your registration fee.
Some of the trips listed below are aready full, but if you want to be put on a waiting list, please please contact the Convention Registrar at [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and the trip(s) you are interested in. There is a good chance that we will be able to accommodate additional people on these trips.
Sunday, June 28
The Garfield Park Conservatory is the first stop on our Sunday Trip, and if you want to sign up for any other part of this trip (Navy Pier, The Art Institute of Chicago, or the River Cruise), you MUST sign up for Garfield Park first since this is the first destination on this trip. The Garfield Park Conservatory has been described as a landscape under glass since the greenhouses keep the plants safe from the summer heat and winter cold experienced by Chicago residents.
After leaving Garfield Park, the bus will take us to The Art Institute of Chicago to drop off those who chose this option. In addition to the fine exhibits, there are restaurants in and around The Art Institute. At the end of the trip, the bus will pick you up at The Art Institute and return to the hotel after taking a quick tour of the city with a few stops for photos (time and traffic permitting).NOTE THAT ADMISSION TO THE ART INSTITUTE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE, but they have reciprocal agreements with other art museums, so bring your membership card if you have one.
If you choose this option, you will be able to purchase lunch and spend the afternoon seeing the sights and exploring the shops and rides at Navy Pier. When it’s time to leave, the bus will pick you up, take a quick tour around the city with a few stops for photos (time and traffic permitting), and return to the hotel.
This option will take you to Navy Pier for a short stop before boarding the ship for the cruise on the Chicago River. This cruise will highlight Chicago’s architecture, old and new. At the end of the trip, the bus will take a quick tour of the city with a few stops for photos (time and traffic permitting) and return to the hotel.
Monday, June 29
This trip will take you to The Chicago Botanic Garden and includes the price of admission. Lunch is on your own. After visiting the garden, you can choose either to take the bus back to the hotel or to continue to Peche's Nursery (at no extra charge), returning to the hotel after that.
Seasoned Ground Beef, Flaked White Fish (Baked), Tortillas (corn & flour, hard & soft), Assortment of Taco Toppings (Salsa, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese, Shredded Lettuce), Rice and Beans
Tuesday, June 30
This trip will stop at Orchids by Hausermann to see and/or purchase orchids and other plants, including gesneriads. The next stop will be at the Morton Arboretum where a guide will join us on the bus for a 1-hour tour showcasing trees and other Illinois native plants.
Student Session 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. AND Senior Session 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. AND practice judging with all groups combined 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Senior Session: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. AND practice judging with all groups combined 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Workshop Session 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. AND practice Judging with all groups combined 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Olive Tapenade, Ham, Salami, Capicola, Mortadella, Provolone Cheese, Round Seeded Loaf
Smoked Turkey Breast, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Sliced Tomato, Arugula, Garlic Aioli, Whole Grain Bread
Caesar Salad, (Croutons and cheese on the side), Parmesan Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Gruyere Croutons, Peppercorn Caesar Dressing, Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan, Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce, Ratatouille (Squash, Tomato, Italian seasonings)
Wednesday, July 1
Shaved Roast Beef, Havarti Cheese, Leaf Lettuce, Caramelized Onions, Creamy Horseradish Spread
Romaine , Baby Kale, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Corn, Spring Onions, Chopped Egg, Smoked Bacon, Grape Tomatoes, Diced Cucumbers, Lemon Avocado Dressing
Served with salad and vegetables
Mushrooms, Snow Peas, Carrots, Water Chestnuts, Bell Pepper, Onion, with Soy Glaze, Served with rice
Thursday, July 2
Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes, Orange Juice, Coffee or Tea and Muffin
Diced chicken, Celery, Grapes, Pecans, Dried Cranberry, Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Served with Chicken Noodle Soup
Served with Chicken Noodle Soup
Baked wIth a Cherry BBQ Sauce, chef's choice of vegetables and salad
Seared chicken with a Butter-based Sauce, Capers, and lemon, chef's choice of vegetables and salad
Served with a tomato Coulis Sauce, chef's choice of vegetables and salad
Friday, July 3
Served with Tomato Basil Soup
Served with chef's choice of starch and vegetables
Saturday, July 4
BBQ Chicken Sliders, Grilled Beef Hot Dogs with Buns, condiments, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, and Watermelon Cubes
Artisanal cheeses and fruit, crudites of farm-fresh vegetables with dressings and dips, assorted hors d'oeuvres
Registration Fee
Merchandise
and
Membership
2026 Convention Pin (Primulina)
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Gesneriads
