GCA to visit Minneapolis/St. Paul area garden centers during annual holiday tour

Garden Centers of America announced that the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., will host the 2010 Holiday Tour. The annual event, scheduled for Nov. 14 - 17, will put the spotlight on some of the area’s finest garden centers while exposing attendees to new ideas, innovative marketing and “old family” secrets.

“It is so exciting to have Garden Centers of America  back in Minnesota for the 2010 Holiday Tour," said Holiday Tour Co-Chair Gino Pitera of Gertens. "The 2007 Summer Tour was also held here, and it was a tremendous success. This area is full of wonderful garden centers, and there will be numerous opportunities for attendees to learn and broaden their horizons. This tour will feature everything from a 100-acre location to smaller niche stores.”

The event kicks-off on Sunday evening with a reception at the host hotel, The Saint Paul Hotel. Following the opening reception on Sunday night, there will be a dinner awards ceremony.

The actual touring begins on Monday and concludes on Wednesday. Garden center stops during the event include Tonkadale Nursery, Dundee Nursery, Tangletown Gardens, Bachmans, The Potting Shed, and Linder’s Garden Center.

Cost for the tour is $550 for members and $750 for non-members if registered on or before Nov. 4. After November 4 the cost is $600 for members and $800 for non-members. On-line registration is now open. Spaces are limited. For more information contact Shanan Molnar at (888) 648-6463, or e-mail smolnar@asginfo.net, or visit the website linked above.