AAS Summer Summit

September 5-8, 2023

Make plans to attend the

AAS, HGSA and NGB Summer Summit

in Vancouver, British Columbia

Get your passport ready!

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This year will be a very full 3-day event!

Wednesday, September 6 we will “road trip” to the Chilliwack area to visit growers and retailers in that rich agricultural region.

Our day goes from 7 AM – 5:30 PM and stops include: Minter Country Garden (AAS Trials), Qualitree Propagators and Van Belle Nursery.

Wednesday dinner is the Summer Summit Cocktail hour and Awards Banquet at the hotel from 6:00 – 9:00 PM.

Thursday, September 7 we will tour West Coast Seeds and other horticulture businesses in the flat and fertile Delta area.

Our day goes from 8 AM – 8:30 PM and stops include: Kwantlen Polytechnic University, West Coast Seeds (AAS and HGSA Trials), Westham Island Herb Farm, Emma Lea Farms, Fraserland Organics and Southland Farms Community.

Thursday dinner is the famous “Dinner With Peers” in the scenic Steveston Harbour (sign-up sheets for restaurants available at registration).

Friday, September 8 will be the grand finale touring in and around the wonderfully multicultural city of Vancouver.

Our day goes from 8 AM – ? PM (depending on your tour choice) and presentations and stops include: Electric Sea Plane, Fresh Roots farm, the Asian Garden, a picnic in Stanley Park, Sole Foods, Vancouver Talmud Torah rooftop garden and more, ending on Granville Island!

Friday night dinner is “on your own” so you can stay on Granville Island or venture into downtown Vancouver. For anyone going back to our Richmond hotel Friday night, you are encouraged to explore the nearby Richmond Night Market where you’ll find a plethora of international food items to sample.

Register now with the early bird pricing before prices go up on August 7!

After you register, come back here to select and book your optional Friday tour.

Friday afternoon tour options:

Our organized day of tours will end by 2:30 PM on Friday. Then you have a choice of the following activities (the cost of which is not included in registration). Buses will drop you off on Granville Island, a shopping and dining district across False Creed from Downtown Vancouver, located under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge. Attendees are free to spend the afternoon wandering around the shops, enjoying outdoor eateries or choosing to go on one of the following classic Vancouver sightseeing tours:

NOTE: All prices below are CANADIAN $

Vancouver Harbor Sightseeing Cruise, 1 hour, $53/pp, Departure time: 2:45 PM
Vancouver Harbor Sunset Dinner Cruise, 2 1/2 hours, $159/pp, Departure time: 7:00 PM
Sea Vancouver City and Harbour Tour, 1 1/2 hours, $69/pp, Departure time: 3:00 PM (two to choose from)
Sea Vancouver Waterfront Sightseeing (City and Wildlife), 1 1/2 hours, $69/pp, Departure time: 5:00 PM
False Creek Ferry, 40-60 min, $12.50/pp, Departure times: every 15 minutes
Vancouver City and Seals Scenic Boat Tour, 1 1/2 hours, $65/pp, Departure time: 3:30 or 5:30
Sunset Whale Watching Tour, 3-4 hours, $139/pp, Departure time: 2:30 PM, book online or by calling 1-888-383-4884

NOTE: Once you book your tour, please email Nancy Ketchmark with the details and departure time. Once we have everyone’s schedule we can arrange bus transportation from Granville Island back to the hotel.

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We STRONGLY encourage you to extend your stay for these popular tourist sites that we will NOT be able to visit during our bus tours:

Vancouver Island and the City of Victoria, home to Butchart Gardens

The Richmond Night Market (Fri. and Sat.), River Rock Casino, Iona Beach Regional Park and “Bike the Dyke” are all near our hotel in Richmond

Whistler, Hollywood North movie tours, salmon spawning tours and much more.

(Please note that the discounted hotel rate is valid from September 2-September 13 – a great reason to extend your stay!)

Hotel for our 2023 Event:

Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport

3099 Corvette Way, Richmond, BC V6X 4K3

PH: 604-303-6565

Rate until August 15, 2023: CDN $239/night (approx. US$185)

After August 15, to see if rooms are available, call the number above or email hotel reservations.

Book Your Room

10 Cool Facts About Vancouver

Vancouver is ranked as the third most “livable place in the world” for its high standard of living and quality of life.
Vancouver has the 4th largest cruise ship terminal in the world.
Vancouver is home to Canada’s longest pool which is nearly the size of three Olympic pools.
Vancouver has the highest real estate prices in Canada rivaling New York City and London.
Vancouver is the 3rd largest film production center in North America.
Stanley Park, an urban oasis, is 10% larger than New York City’s Central Park.
The Vancouver Aquarium ranks in the top 5 worldwide.
Downtown Vancouver is 65% residential.
Vancouver has the mildest climate in Canada but does receive 1,589mm of rain/year.
Greenpeace was established in Vancouver.

Also, Vancouver and B.C. is the home of many indigenous Aboriginal people. Read this newcomer’s guide before you visit for an in-depth understanding of the rich and diverse history of Canada’s First Peoples.