American Bamboo Society 2023 Conference

Texas Bamboo Society Chapter

Take part in a Bamboo Construction Project led by Vinc Math, walk in the historic Avery Island moso grove and enrich your bamboo knowledge.

Hampton Inn & Suites New Iberia Avery Island

<h3>2023 American Bamboo Society National Conference </h3><h3>2-5 November, 2023 in and around New Iberia, Louisiana</h3><h2>Conference Venue</h2>The 2023 ABS National Conference will be held in and around New Iberia, deep in the Cajun country of southwest Louisiana. Much of our time will be spent on nearby Avery Island, where E.A. McIlhenny pioneered the introduction of more than 60 species of bamboo, at that time unknown in the United States; and Jefferson Island, where Mike Richard has introduced dozens of tropical Bambusas. <h2>Conference highlights </h2><h2>(Included in Registration Fee)</h2>(Before the Conference the ABS board will meet 2 November, 9-5)Thursday 2 November: Hampton Inn, New Iberia. Plan to arrive by 6PM on Thursday as we’ll have a Cajun Welcoming Reception and Dinner (be prepared to introduce yourself and talk about how you got involved with bamboo)Friday 3 November: Hampton Inn, New Iberia. Talks, panel discussions, lunch, ABS general meeting, vendor displays, silent and live auctions &amp; Cajun cocktail and dinner. Presentations &amp; panel discussion topics include Everest Holmes discussing soil health and bamboo farming methods, Vinc Math on Building with Bamboo, Ian Connor, James Clever &amp; Michele Tkach discussing Bamboo in the Urban Garden &amp; Understanding Rhizomes. Other topics addressed are The Miracles of Bamboo Charcoal, Bamboo Cooperatives, Bamboo for Wood, Fiber &amp; Food and the full agenda is still being finalized. All day the Silent Auction items and Vendor Displays &amp; a live auction fundraiser for the American Bamboo Society will start after the presentations during dinner.Saturday 4 November: bus to nearby Avery Island, home of bamboo pioneer E.A. McIlhenny’s flamboyant <a href="https://www.junglegardens.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jungle Gardens</a>, a bird refuge as well as site of unique tropical plants; the historic Moso grove planted by E. A. McIlhenney more than a century ago; as well as the Tabasco sauce factory (extra charge for Tabasco factory tour), all surrounded by bamboo as well (<a href="http://www.bamboocentral.net/images/EAMcIlhennyBamboo.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">see Andy Ringle’s excellent paper on E.A. McIlhenny’s work with bamboo</a>). Talks from world experts Garrie Laundry on the botany of Avery Island. Lunch included. Workshops include prepping for bamboo construction (building on Sunday), bamboo art, qigong exercise in the grove. There will be plenty of time to relax and explore the moso and bamboosoides groves. A traditional cochon du lait (roast pig) next to the Moso Grove will be shared later in the day!B﻿amboo Construction WorkshopThe workshop will be led by international bamboo consultant, <a href="https://vincmath.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Vinc Math</a> (no extra fee for workshop - this is included in the registration fee). The workshop will focus on showcasing how to build with the local bamboo species. Participants will have an unique opportunity to work with Vinc and learn from his extensive experience in bamboo construction. Vinc has worked on projects across the globe and is now sharing his passion for sustainability, innovation and construction with bamboo in the USA. Throughout the workshop you will learn joinery techniques and cutting and shaping bamboo using basic hand and power tools.T﻿he workshop is designed for both beginners and seasoned builders and anyone interested in sustainable building materials and traditional craftsmanship. Participants will leave the workshop with a better understanding of the unique properties of bamboo as a construction material as well as the skills and knowledge to incorporate bamboo into your own building projects.D﻿on't miss this rare opportunity to learn from international bamboo consultant Vinc Math for two days of learning, creating and exploring the creating, and exploring the possibilities of bamboo construction.Sunday 5 November: bus to nearby <a href="https://ripvanwinklegardens.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jefferson Island</a> and its special collection of exotic bamboo. Workshop on bamboo construction, art, and more. Talk by the eminent Mike Richard, owner and curator of Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Lunch included. The Bamboo Construction Workshop will be in full swing on Sunday.Note: A﻿ conference t shirt is included in the registration fee - so please indicate your shirt size when you register. Questions? send email to events@bamboo.orgHere is the Proposed Schedule (subject to flexible change)T﻿hursday Nov 2 - 6pm Welcome ReceptionFriday Nov 3 8 am to 8:45-Registration8:45-Welcome9:00-Vinc Math on Bamboo Construction Projects 10 am: Everest Holmes “Harnessing Nature’s Allies: Microbial Insights for Optimizing Bamboo Farming”11:00 Panel/Zoom Call-Panda Industries CEO-bamboo particle board for construction-Mark- Only Moso Story-Zoe Levins-Founder of Bim Bam Boo toilet paper-Jamie Leliever-National Bamboo-Jeremiah Brown-Black Bamboo Charcoal12 noon Lunch and ABS General Meeting; Ian presents plants set for auction later1:30 Everest Holmes: The Bamboo Industry in the USA2:30 Micro Talks-USDA speaker-Bishwo Adhikari - Bamboo Quarantine Program -Mike Richard-Bamboo Planting for Windbreaks or Hurricane Protection -Mark Sanders-Bamboo Magazine-Alain Flexor/Hunter Vickers-Bamboo Co-ops3:30 Ian Connor &amp; James Clever - Controlling Spreading Bamboo in Urban Gardens4﻿:30 James Wolf - Industrial Designer, Product Developer, Entrepreneur &amp; World-Renowned Bamboo Expert "Innovations in Bamboo"5:00 Silent Auction Ends and then live auction/cocktail hour begins.Payment for silent auction itemsDrinks + nibbles for Rare plant live auction15 itemsAllow one hour7pm Dinner Saturday, November 48:30am Bus leaves Hampton Inn 9am – 11-am Tour Jungle Gardens11:30 Fiddler’s Green - Moso and Bambusoides GrovesQigong Exercise by Bamboo BillSack LunchAfternoon ActivitiesTour and relax in the historic moso grove and compare the 2 different speciesTake part or watch construction workshop – building of columns for Sunday’s constructionOngoing discussions, mingle, network and share experiences while the cochon du lait is being preparedSunday Nov 5 8:30am Bus leaves Hampton Inn to Jefferson IslandVisit Rip Van Winkle Garden Read about Jefferson Island and Rip Van Winkle GardenConstruction of Gazebo<h2></h2>

I﻿f you are not sure of your American Bamboo Society Membership Status please email membership@bamboo.org to check.I﻿f you are not a member - <a href="https://www.bamboo.org/amember" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Become an American Bamboo Society Member</a> and save on your registration fee!

Frequently Asked Questions:Where to stay:Rooms with special rates have been reserved in the newly renovated Hampton Inn and Suites (400 Spanish Town Boulevard, New Iberia, LA 70560). Call the hotel directly to make your special-rate reservations ($90 +tax for one king and $93 +tax) for two queens) at 337-321-6700 and ask for the American Bamboo rate. The Hampton Inn provides a hot breakfast; most meals will be provided during the three day Conference.Airport access to New IberiaThe Conference site is serviced by two airports (both with car rentals):1.	Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT ) - is 30 minutes north of the Hampton Inn; Ubers are around $45)2.	New Orleans International Airport (MSY) - is two hours drive east of the Hampton Inn.C﻿an I display my bamboo goods and be a vendor?T﻿here is ample, but limited space on Friday in the conference room - please indicate on your registration form if you would like to have vendor space. (first come, first served). You can also set up on Thursday afternoon.S﻿ilent and Live Auction to benefit the American Bamboo SocietyBoth auctions will be on Friday - please bring any bamboo paraphernalia to donate.

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