2025 Speaker Frequently Asked Questions

This document contains all the information you need to make your speaking engagement at NWFGF a success!

The FAQ will be updated periodically based on new information and speaker feedback/questions.

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Promoting Your Appearance & the 2025 NWFGF

PR & Social Meeting Recording (Jan 13 Zoom Meeting)

For those that missed the PR/Social & First Time Speaker meeting on January  13 HERE is the link!

What is the website for the show?
  • GardenShow.com
Where can I get graphic assets to promote the show?
  • You can find graphic assets HERE
  • If you’d like additional assets, please reach out to NWFGFSeminars@mpeshows.com
What are the show's social handles?
  • facebook.com/nwfgs
  • instagram.com/nwfgs
What are the 2025 hashtags?

#NWFGS
#NorthwestFlowerAndGardenFestival
#NWFGF25
#SpringDreamin
#SpringDreaming
#DreamingOfSpring
#GardenShow

And if you are a GardenComm member:

#GardenComm

Are there tips or times to best promote the show?

Tickets go on sale October 18.

There are a number of promotions (Black Friday/Cyber Monday) that happen with special pricing. Then we hit the holidays which is a great time to suggest tickets as holiday gifts.

If your followers are all over the country, and you want to encourage them to see you at the show, do some early (October/November) promotion so flights and hotels can be arranged. 

Early January is a great time to ramp up your efforts to promote the show. And the 3-4 week period just before the show is a great time to promote in earnest. Our social media maven, Corene, will repost your content. If you want to make NWFGF a collaborator on IG, she will accept those collaborations. 

As we get closer to the event, you can ramp up your social posts. People love the behind the scenes as you’re getting ready for the show! Consider doing an IG live with another presenter to talk about the show and everything you’re looking forward to! If you have ideas you want to explore, Corene or LaManda will be happy to discuss with you!

If you have a newsletter, this is also a great way to promote the show from now until February.

And don’t forget ticket giveaways! These are best done the two weeks leading up to the show.

Unless you’ve been given a special link, use https://bit.ly/25NWFG_JoinMe

This link will provide $3 off regular adult tickets and is active until midnight, Feb 18th. 

By using this link, we’ll be able to track the collective efforts of our 2025 speakers in driving attendees to the show! 

Can I do a ticket giveaway?
  • Yes, please!
  • Every speaker is given five (5) digital tickets to share with friends or use in social giveaways
  • We will send each speaker five (5) digital ticket codes to distribute at your discretion to friends or giveaway winners in February
  • If you need additional comps for giveaways, just let us know
Who do I talk to if I have a social media promo idea?
  • Corene Caley – CoreneKC@Outlook.com
  • LaManda Joy – NWFGFSeminars@mpeshows.com
Will there be a Press Room to discuss story ideas with the show publicist?

If you’re looking for a place to hang out, you can store belongings and chill out as much as you like in the staffed VIP Speaker & Influencer lounge on the Seminar Center level just past the Hood Room.

The press room is for press projects only.

  • The Press Room is located in Room 310 on the 3rd level of the Convention Center
  • Hours are 9am-2pm Wednesday to Saturday. The press room is closed on Sunday
  • Publicists are available to discuss story ideas
  • Wifi is available to post to your socials
  • The Press Room isn’t secured for the storage of your belongings and isn’t meant to be a lounge

Our press contact is:

Revolution PR 

Carolyn Riesinger

503-312-4265

carolyn@revolutionpr.com

Preparing For Your Presentation & The Show

What about hotels?
Who is the audience?
  • The show is highly regarded for its strong commitment to horticulture education
  • Audiences range from deeply-rooted plant fanatics who effortlessly recite botanical Latin, to budding “grewbies” just beginning their adventures in gardening
  • Most attendees garden in Zones 7 – 8, coming predominately from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia but also from California, Idaho, Alaska and Montana, and other areas around the country
  • Important: if you’re not from around the Pacific Northwest, check out Great Plant Picks to see if you can find appropriate substitutions for plants you might have in your seminar that are not hardy in our region. These are tried and true plants, usually available at PNW nurseries
How much time do I have for my presentation?
  • All seminars are 60 minutes. Allow five (5) minutes for the staff to introduce you, brief sponsor messages and other updates
  • We recommend you leave 5-15 minutes for audience questions
  • Room docents will signal you when you have 10 minutes remaining
  • Sessions cannot run over – please be courteous to the presenters following you
  • The Rainier Room has 30 minutes between sessions
  • The Hood Room has 15 minutes between sessions
  • It is imperative you conclude your presentation during the 60 minute timeframe to allow the smooth flow of attendees and presenters
  • If you are an author, please proceed immediately after your session to the Third Place Books book signing station. Often attendees will follow you over there to continue asking questions as they get their books signed
Can I talk about my product or service?
  • No infomercials please!
  • Attendees are excited to learn from you – not to be sold to
  • Show staff will introduce you and mention your book, booth location and/or business name
  • Please refrain from logos and contact info on each slide – save that for the concluding slide
  • The optional ProTips (digital handouts available on the website) are an excellent opportunity to talk about your book and/or business
  • Presenters that don’t respect the educational nature of the seminars will not be invited back
How big are the rooms and what is the AV set-up in each?

Rainier Room:

  • Seats 800+
  • Has two screens, dual projection
  • Podium or lavalier mic available
  • Lectern, table, clock and bottled water provided
  • Overhead lights kept at 40% so audience can take notes
  • No VCR or overhead projectors available

Hood Room:

  • Seats 450+
  • Has one screen, one projector
  • Podium or lavalier mic available
  • Lectern, table, clock and bottled water provided
  • Overhead lights kept at 40% so audience can take notes
  • No VCR or overhead projectors available

DIY Stage:

  • Seats 200
  • Camera projects image of work surface onto courtesy monitors flanking the stage so audience can see overhead view
  • No other projection or screens available – this stage is for hands-on demos only
  • Podium and headset mic for presenter
  • Two eight foot tables for plenty of work space
  • Clock, tissues and bottled water provided
  • 10x20ft unsecured storage space for seminar materials

Main Stage:

  • Seats 350
  • Camera projects image of work surface onto courtesy monitors flanking the stage so audience can see overhead view
  • No other projection or screens available – this stage is for hands-on demos only
  • Headset mics are provided for presenters, hosts use handheld mics
  • Two eight foot tables for plenty of work space
  • Clock, tissues and bottled water provided
  • Lot of unsecured storage space for seminar materials

Plant Academy:

  • Seats 200
  • Located in Room 400 outside the Sky Bridge entrance
  • Has one screen, one projector
  • Podium or lavalier mic available
  • Lectern, table, clock and bottled water provided
  • No VCR or overhead projectors available

Traveler’s Tea/3A:

  • Seats 90
  • Located on the third floor
  • Has one screen, one projector
  • Podium or lavalier mic available
  • Lectern, table, clock and bottled water provided
  • No VCR or overhead projectors available

House of Plants

  • Seats 50
  • Located in the North Hall Plant Market at space 2618
  • No AV or microphone (it’s meant to be intimate)
  • A small table will be provided in case you want to showcase something or do a quick demo
  • Clock, tissues and bottled water provided
Do I need to bring my own computer?
  • Yes, please
  • If you don’t have a laptop computer, please let us know ASAP
  • If you have a Mac, please bring an HDMI adaptor
  • Our AV tech will assist you in setting up your computer
  • Please bring your power charger – an extension cord will be provided
  • It is wise to bring a back up USB drive just in case
Is there wifi available in seminar rooms?
  • There is no wifi available in seminar rooms which means live streaming is not possible.
What format/software should I use for my presentation?
  • PowerPoint or Keynote
  • Do not use PDF files
  • Presentations should be set up 16:9
  • Music and videos should be embedded in your presentation – not separate files
  • It is wise to bring a back up USB drive just in case
Can I prepare a handout for attendees?
  • We call attendee handouts ProTips
  • To conserve paper, we provide your ProTip on the show website for attendees to download at their convenience
  • Your ProTip will appear on the website after your session
  • ProTips are greatly encouraged and very appreciated by attendees
  • They can be any length or format as long as they are a PDF
  • We must receive all ProTips by January 31, 2025
  • Please do not bring paper copies to your session as this causes confusion for the attendees (they expect everyone to provide paper copies) and extra work for the room docents
  • Upload your ProTip at the top of this FAQ by February 3, 2025
Can I include video or music in my presentation?
  • Yes but video and music must be embedded in your presentation – not separate files
  • Remember there is no wifi on this level so streaming from links won’t work
What do I need to know about the loading dock for my DIY stage materials?
  • The loading dock is available for DIY presenters
  • Separate instructions and DIY stage producer contact info will be shared at a later date
Why are some seminars designated as WSU Master Gardener continuing ed credits?
  • NWFGF provides the list of seminars to the Washington State University Extension Service
  • Seminars are selected by WSU for Master Gardener continuing education (CE) credits by a panel of educators
  • NWFGF has no input regarding which seminars are selected for CE credits
  • The show website and various printed materials will designate which sessions are WSU Extension CE approved

For Authors

New Bookstore Partner

Third Place Books is our new partner for the bookshop and book signing station!

About Third Place Books:
Third Place Books is the deliberate and intentional creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, we opened a store in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle in 2002, and another in the Seward Park neighborhood in 2016. Third Place Books is a general interest bookstore with over 200,000 new, used, and bargain books in Lake Forest Park and over 40,000 books in Ravenna. It is a fun, comfortable, and safe place to browse, linger, lounge, relax, read, eat, laugh, play, talk, listen, and just watch the world go by.

When/where will my book signing be?
  • There is a Bookshop and Book Signing Station in the Conference Center
  • You don’t need to do anything other than show up and smile – books will be ordered and sold without anything required of you
  • Bring your favorite pen!
  • A schedule will be provided on the NWFGF website for book signings but, in general, your book signing will be immediately following your seminar UNLESS you are speaking on the Main Stage, Plant Academy or Traveler’s Tea in which case we have added 15 minutes to the schedule to allow time to get from the main floor to the Conference Center on floor three.
  • Please proceed quickly from your seminar to the book signing station – there are opportunities to answer additional questions from attendees during the book signing process
Can I bring self-published books to sell?
  • Self published books are included on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Bookstore operator
I have written many books - which ones will be sold at the bookstore?
  • NWFGF provides a list of frontlist (current) and backlist books (books older than a year) for each author/speaker. It is up to Third Place Books to determine which backlist books to have for sale at the show.
Can I schedule other book signings (or speaking engagements) during the show?
  • Absolutely!
  • If an exhibitor would like to highlight your book or you have an opportunity to speak at another venue during the show… go for it! 
  • Just makes sure none of the extracurricular activities conflict with your scheduled sessions or book signings

Honorarium *Updated*

When do I get paid for my speaking engagement(s)?
  • We will no longer be distributing honorariums during the show
  • Honorariums will be mailed within 30 days of the show closing (February 23, 2025)
  • Unless you tell us otherwise, checks will be made out and sent to the information provided on the W9 you submitted
  • Direct deposit is not available at this time except for speakers from outside the United States
Do I need to submit a W9 or W8ben?
  • For 2025, all speakers are required to submit a W9 (US) or W8ben (Canada/UK)
  • If you did not submit your W9 or W8ben during your acceptance process, please upload at the top of this FAQ
Are there other speaker perks?
  • Show access for all five (5) show days
  • Five (5) digital comp tickets for friends or giveaways
  • 10% discount on all Convention Center purchases (food, beverage, etc.)
  • Access to VIP Speaker & Influencer Lounge
  • Special speaker swag and gifts
  • Fame and glory… 

At The Show

What is the Seattle Convention Center address?
  • 705 Pike Street, Seattle 98101
Parking at the Seattle Convention Center
  • Parking at the Convention Center fills up early – often by 10am
  • CLICK HERE for a map of the Convention Center Parking: 
  • There are several public parking garages within three blocks of the Convention Center. They are the least expensive parking option other than limited street parking
  • Here is a link to those parking garages
  • Hotel parking is an option but it is expensive
  • Street parking is FREE on Sundays
How do I get into the show? * Updated *
  • We will no longer be sending speaker packets prior to the show
  • A welcome package will be waiting for you at Will Call in the entrance main atrium
  • The Press Room does not have your welcome package – they will direct you to Will Call
  • Proceed to the Seminar Center level (3rd floor – see map) and go to the VIP Speaker & Influencer lounge (just past the Hood Room) to check in for your seminar
  • Swag, goodies, comfy chairs (and maybe a chair massage station!) plus a secure place to drop your belongings are available in the VIP Speaker & Influencer lounge
  • We can’t wait to see you!
How early should I arrive before my seminar?
  • Plan to arrive at the show at least 90 minutes before your seminar
  • Rainier Room: You will be able to set up your computer 30 minutes prior to your seminar
  • Hood Room: You will be able to set up your computer 15 minutes prior to your seminar
  • DIY stage set-up can begin 45 minutes prior to your seminar
  • Main Stage set-up varies. You will receive instructions at a later date
Who do I check in with when I arrive?
  • Proceed to the VIP Speaker & Influencer Lounge located past the Hood Room on the Seminar Center floor 
  • Check in with the staff, drop your belongings, relax and get some swag
  • LaManda Joy, our seminar and judging manager, will be delighted to meet and assist you as will the staff at the VIP lounge
Where are the seminar rooms located?
Rainier Room, Hood Room, DIY Stage plus Third Place Book’s
Book Signing Station can be reached by crossing the SkyBridge to the North Hall. Turn right and follow signs to the Conference Center. Use the escalator or elevator to go down one level. While you’re there, enjoy the Conference Level Cafe!
Main Stage is located at the back of the North Hall.
House of Plants can be found in the North Hall Plant Market at space 2618
Plant Academy can be found in the lobby outside the SkyBridge entrance.
Traveler’s Tea is located on level three (Room 3 A). Follow signs at the Convention Center entrance.
  • Download speaker map HERE

Where can I safely store my belongings?
  • The VIP Speaker & Influencer Lounge is located past the Hood Room on the Seminar Center level
  • You can safely leave your belongings, get some swag, chill out and network with the other presenters and local influencers
Is there a place to hang out before/after my seminar?
  • The VIP Speaker & Influencer Lounge is located past the Hood Room on the Seminar Center level
  • You can safely leave your belongings, get some swag, chill out and network with the other presenters and local influencers
  • Snacks will be provided
Who do I contact in case of emergency?
  • Prior to the show, please email NWFGFSeminars@mpeshows.com
  • During the show, the seminar team can be reached via text or call. The number will be provided later
What are the guidelines for shipping something to the Seattle Convention Center?
  • The window for accepting materials shipped to the show is Thursday, February 13 – Tuesday, February 18, 2025
  • Notify us if you are shipping items with the name of the provider (UPS, FedEx, etc.) and number of packages so items can be tracked down during move-in and set aside for you

Ship all materials to:

Seattle Convention Center 

705 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101-2310

C/O Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, ROOM 401

Attn:  Jeff Swenson, Show Manager

Things to Know About The Seattle Convention Center

Does the Seattle Convention Center accept cash?
  • The Convention Center no longer accepts cash
  • Exhibitors DO accept cash
Are there reusable water bottle filling stations available?
  • Yes and refillable water bottles are a great idea as the cost for bottled water from the Convention Center is high
Are there discounts available for speakers at the Seattle Convention Center?
  • Your daily wristband will get you a 10% discount on all Convention Center food and beverage purchases (alcohol not included)
  • Alcoholic beverages are sold at select areas on the show floor and you can walk around the show with your purchased drinks. You cannot bring your own or leave the show with an alcoholic beverage

Other Fun Stuff

VIP Speaker & Influencer Lounge
  • The VIP Speaker & Influencer Lounge is located just past the Hood Room on the Conference Center level
  • You will receive a badge that allows entry in your Welcome Package
  • You can safely leave your belongings, get some swag, chill out and network with the other presenters and local influencers
  • Guests you may bring are welcome… 
Will there be a GardenComm gathering during the show?
  • The GardenComm meet up will be Saturday, Feb 22 from 10-noon in Room 3B
  • GardenComm is planning many fun activities during the 2025 NWFGF. Contact Erica Grivas for more detail.