The Cactus & Succulent Society of Massachusetts (www.cssma.org
<http://www.cssma.org/> ) is pleased to announce that we will be hosting
the 16th Eastern Cactus & Succulent Conference August 15 - 17 in
Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

The conference will begin on Friday evening, August 15th with an
informal get together and continue on through Saturday and Sunday with a
stellar panel of speakers both days. The conference will be held at the
Radison Hotel & Conference Center in Chelmsford MA, within 30 minutes of
downtown Boston.

The conference will feature a judged show with over 100 categories
representing some of the finest succulents grown in the New England
area.

Over a dozen specialty C&S vendors will be on hand offering a full
spectrum of succulent plants, pottery and books. There will be plants on
hand to get someone started with succulents as well as the rare and
unusual for collectors.

Saturday evening will feature a banquet and conclude with a special
auction of specimen quality succulent plants, books and artwork.

We have arranged for an excellent discounted room rate at the Radisson
in Chelmsford and we are offering an early registration rate for those
who register for the full conference by June 14th. You can also elect to
register for a single day.

Please visit http://www.succulentplants.info
<http://www.succulentplants.info/> for more details on the conference
and schedules. This site will be updated regularly as we finalize the
schedule and topics of the speakers and vendors attending. There is also
a write-up in the current CSSA Journal on the conference. You can also
email to info@... <mailto:info@...>
if you have any questions.

This is a great opportunity to share experiences with other growers and
get to meet and listen to some of the premiere growers from around the
world.

Our panel of speakers, many of whom will give a talk both days,
includes:

* Chris Allen - from Connecticut, grower of magnificent caudiciforms
* Dr.Jerry Barad - from New Jersey, former CSSA president,
Stapeliad expert & more
* Dennis Cathcart - of Tropiflora, Florida, explorer and grower
of bromeliads
* Mark Dimmitt PhD - Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Adenium,
Pachypodium, Trichocereus & more.
* Steven Hammer - of the Sphaeroid Institute, California,
international authority on Mesembryanthemums, Haworthia and other South
African succulents.
* Fred Katterman - from New Jersey, expert on Copiapoa, Eriosyce
and other South American cacti.
* Panayoti Kelaidis - Denver Botanic Garden, intl. authority on
hardy succulents and alpines.
* Glen Lord - of Bonsai West in Massachusetts, grower of
caudiciform bonsai.
* Matt Mattus - of Massachusetts, authority on South African
bulbs.
* Dr. Matt Opel - of the University of Connecticut, noted expert
on many succulents especially those of South Africa.
* Ernst van Jaarsveld - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, South
Africa, internationally known authority on Gasteria and the Flora of
South Africa.

We've also arranged for special excursions for those bringing family
members or those who want to extend their stay in the area.

Please feel free to contact us through the links at the web site if you
have any questions. Hope to see you at the conference; we think it's
going to be a very special event!

Dan Downey, President CSSM - dand@...
Art Scarpa, Vice President CSSM
Co-chairs of the 16th Eastern Cactus & Succulent Conference



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