Tom Hobbs, from Vancouver, B.C. His slides are to die for. and he is an inspiring speaker. He has a couple of books, Shocking Beauty and The Jewel Box Garden. Just incredible. mkp

For several years I was speaker chairman for CMGA's annual symposium. We were able to get excellent speakers from UConn, the Ag Exp Stations and from local speakers. Steve Silk who writes for Fine Gardening Magazine has a wonderful presentation on color in the garden. The most important thing to do is ASK around! You'd be surprised who's out there and who has connections to national speakers

Ask around at your local hort societies and garden clubs. They usually know who is available in your area and whether or not they are worth hearing. We were up against this problem with a seminar we're putting together for next year. The AHS and our university were most helpful in making suggestions for speakers.

It wasn't through a MG program, but Gordon Hayward gave a talk and slideshow on landscape design at a nursery near me last spring that was very enlightening, as well as a booksigning. I've also seen him scheduled to speak for various gardening groups from time to time.

He has a website.Jo

I recently went to an enjoyable talk by Diana Beresford-Kroeger of Ottawa, Canada. Locally (in Ann Arbor), Aunita Erskine and Carol Broadbeck are good presenters.

William Welch from Texas A&M is a great speaker & also an expert on perennials & roses for the south.