Beardless Auction Irises Shipped

One of the innovations at the AIS 2017 Convention was an auction of guest irises.  After seeing guest irises on the garden tours Thursday and Friday, visitors were able to bid on a number of them Saturday afternoon.  Last week the beardless irises were dug and shipped to the winners, shipped August 29th.  They were shipped USPS and should have arrived before Labor Day.

Thank you to everyone for participating in the auction!  And thank you to the volunteers who dug, prepared, and shipped these irises!

Advertisement

Hybridizer’s Guest Iris Return Schedule

Iris hybridizers provided an incredible range of guest irises for the AIS 2017 Convention.  Something over 2200 plants for attendees to enjoy on the tours!

Post-convention the plants have a number of destinations with the bearded irises being processed now.  Last week we shipped the bearded irises to the winning auction bidders.  Next week, the week of August 7th, we will be digging and shipping the bearded irises hybridizers have requested be returned.  Hybridizers, we will email you as the bearded irises are shipped to you.

Beardless irises will be sent later to the winning auction bidders and to hybridizers who have requested returns.

Thank you to all the hybridizers for providing these guest irises!

Bearded Auction Irises Shipped

One of the innovations at the AIS 2017 Convention was an auction of guest irises.  After seeing guest irises on the garden tours Thursday and Friday, visitors were able to bid on a number of them Saturday afternoon.  This week the bearded irises were dug and shipped to the winners, shipped July 24th and 25th.  I know some bidders have already received theirs.  The others should arrive (USPS) shortly.

Thank you to everyone for participating in the auction!  And thank you to the volunteers who dug, prepared, and shipped these irises!

Shipping of the beardless irises will be late August or early September.

Blooming Now – ‘Rose City’

As we normally do not see any of the Convention guest irises blooming at this time, this photo from the Jurik garden was a nice surprise.  ‘Rose City’ (Lynda Miller, 2015) is an MTB reported as an early bloomer without mentioning rebloom.  Aitken’s does have it on their rebloomer pages.

Thank you for the photo Kris!

Convention Book Online

While it cannot convey all the excitement of the Convention, the Convention Book is very useful before, during, and after the Convention.  This is the AIS 2017 Convention Book (PDF) for your use and reference.  Do you have some ways you use/will use this?  We would love to hear them!  Whether you were able to attend or not, please enjoy!

Thank you again to Judy Keisling for preparing the book and for keeping our contributions on track.  She is amazing!

 

First Guest Blooms

This gallery contains 4 photos.

We just had our first guest irises bloom!  They are definitely starting to think about the Convention. First up in the Messer garden was ‘Wild Whispers’ by Carol Coleman with color visible April 5th and first blooms opened on the … Continue reading →

Convention Flashback

Do you remember the last time AIS had their Convention in Iowa?  It was in 1950 and this is the Convention  Annual Meeting announcement.  The meeting was headquartered in Sioux City with trips to the Sass Garden (Omaha) and Whiting Garden (Mapleton, Iowa) featured.

Thank you to the Region 21 Library for providing this.

Things to Know Before You Visit Des Moines

Simulated Iris Show

A Simulated Iris Show is scheduled on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. This is a hands-on training opportunity for Apprentice Judges to receive exhibition judges training. The following is what you need to do to participate:

• Secure an approved AIS Judge for 2 hours to conduct your exhibition training. The judge cannot be a family member. The Convention Committee will not secure judges for the training. It is the responsibility of each apprentice judge to make arrangements with an accredited judge for training.
• Bring with your AIS Judges Handbook
• Bring your Evaluation Form and a self-addressed, stamped envelope addressed to your Regional Judges Training Chairperson to give to the judge training you. S/he will complete and mail to your Regional Judges Training Chairperson.

Parking at the Hotel

The Des Moines Downtown Marriot valet parking is $24 for over 8 hours and $12 for up to 8 hours, plus tax. There are several city ramps available downtown, including one just west of the Des Moines Marriott at 8th & Locust Streets. For more information about parking and a map of public parking garages around the city, visit: https://www.catchdesmoines.com/about/transportation/parking/

Internet Access

Wireless internet is free throughout the hotel, including public areas and guest rooms.

Accessibility & Guest Services

The Des Moines Downtown Marriott is a accessible facility to persons of all abilities, including 32-inch wide openings to guest rooms. Fitness center, meeting spaces, pool entrances, restaurants, main entrance and registration are all accessible. For more information about accessibility, please visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/dsmia-des-moines-marriott-downtown/#accessbility. For general guest and concierge services information, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmia-des-moines-marriott-downtown/.

Restaurants, Pharmacies, Retail, etc.

A full list of the hundreds of restaurants throughout the Des Moines metro is located at: https://www.catchdesmoines.com/restaurants/.

Friday Night Dining Options

The AIS Geek Dinner is a fond tradition, hosted this year in the Windows on 7^th Dining Room in the first floor of the Des Moines Downtown Marriott. The proceeds from the Geek Dinner Auction supports the AIS Electronic Services Fund. Attendees can bid on iris introductions, gift certificates from commercial iris growers, and iris themed items. Reservations for the Geek Dinner are not included in the convention registration fees. Please contact Joanne Prass Jones (joanne@usjoneses.com) or see convention website for more information. Cost is $35.00.

Also available on Friday night is a Dine-A-Round, a unique opportunity to experience some of Des Moines’ award-winning and innovative restaurants. The convention committee has arranged for group reservations for 25 people each at three downtown restaurants. The restaurant options feature a variety of menu choices. Attendees interested in participating in the Dine-A-Round may sign-up for reservation spots when they register at the hotel. Registration is first come, first serve and final commitments are required by Wednesday evening. Registrants are responsible for their individual tabs. The Dine-A-Round is a great way to meet new people, experience great local cuisine while someone else takes care of the reservation. More information on restaurants and menus is available on the convention website.

If you’d rather explore the dining scene on your own, a complete list of the hundreds of restaurants throughout the Des Moines metro is located at: https://www.catchdesmoines.com/restaurants/.

Things to Do in Des Moines

Des Moines is a vibrant, mid-sized Midwestern capital with amenities and attractions for all ages. It’s a particularly art-centric city, with numerous public art installations including the award-winning John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. It’s also a pedestrian friendly city with numerous biking and foot trails. For more information about top things to do in Des Moines during your visit, check out https://www.catchdesmoines.com/things-to-do/

One More Guest Rebloomer

Another of the AIS 2017 Convention guest irises rebloomed in November.  This is the SDB  ‘Litlle Stitches’ by Robin Shadlow reblooming November 10th.  My apologies for missing this in the earlier posting.

2017 Silent Auction Request

One of the features of the AIS Conventions is the Silent Auction.  Nick Stewart and Debbie Strauss are already planning for this year’s event.  The Fall 2016 Irises Bulletin has their request for donations on page 16.  You can see the request silent auction 2017 (PDF) online as well.  Please consider donating items and hybridizers please consider donating irises to this super AIS fundraiser.

Debbie Strauss adds this note: Hey all you local societies, have you started collecting items from your area to give to your RVP for your Region’s Raisin’ Region basket for the Iowa AIS National Convention? The silent auction really needs and appreciates your participation and so do our shoppers. Contact your RVP about where to send your donations! Thank you.

You can reach Debbie at debbie@loveirises.com with questions or to let her know about your planned donations.