AHTA 2026 Conference Request for Proposals

Inspire. Educate. Lead. 

Presenting at the conference allows you to share your knowledge, shills, and abilities with the whole AHTA community. You'll be a part of educating current practitioners and educating the next generation of horticultural therapists.

Present at AHTA 2026

This conference offers exceptional professional value thanks to its dynamic location, robust attendance, engaging special events, and rich slate of educational sessions—paired with an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers. It’s an ideal opportunity for practitioners, educators, and researchers to showcase their work, share emerging evidence and insights, and contribute to the advancement of horticultural therapy. Whether you’re looking to highlight your expertise, establish yourself as a thought leader in the HT community, or share your passion with a vibrant, engaged audience, this conference provides a meaningful platform to connect, inspire, and lead.

The American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) annual conference brings together experts and enthusiasts in horticultural therapy. 



The conference promotes healing and wellbeing through activity-based interventions using plants and nature. We gather together to share knowledge, best practices, innovative approaches, and professional connections to advance the field of horticultural therapy.

AHTA invites professionals engaged in horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture, researchers, educators, practitioners, students, and allied professionals to submit proposals for presentations at our upcoming in person conference.

  • Proposal Types

    Lectures (50 min): 

    • Engaging presentations highlighting research, case studies, or evidence-based approaches in horticultural therapy.

     Workshops (45 or 90 min): 

    • Hands-on, interactive sessions sharing techniques, program successes, and opportunities for attendee engagement.

    Panel Discussions (50 min): 

    • Multi-perspective conversations on a single topic, showcasing insights, experiences, and innovative approaches in horticultural therapy.

    Poster Presentations (10 min): 

    • Visually engaging displays of programs, research, or best practices, designed to spark discussion and share concise, impactful information.

  • Proposal Requirements

    Title of Presentation 

    • No more than 10 words

    Abstract (75 words): 

    • A clear and concise description of your presentation, including objectives, relevance to horticultural therapy, and key takeaways for attendees.

    Learning Objectives (3-5): 

    • Identify what participants will learn from your presentation. These statements should start with “Participants will…"

    Summary (300 words): 

    • A more robust overview of the session's purpose. It should highlight the significance of the session to the field, the learning objectives or outcomes participants can expect, and how the content will engage or benefit attendees. If applicable, mention any interactive elements, innovative approaches, or unique perspectives that make the session stand out.

    Short Bio (100 words): 

    • Provide a brief biography for each presenter.

  • Evaluation Criteria

    Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

    • Alignment with the conference theme “Thriving in the grove: Building Resilience through Horticultural Therapy”
    • Relevance to horticultural therapy
    • Clarity and coherence of the abstract
    • Innovation and originality
    • Practical application of the content

  • Important Dates

    Submission Deadline: 

    • March 15, 2026

    Notification of Acceptance: 

    • April 2, 2026

     Acknowledgement of Acceptance: 

    • April 20, 2026

    Conference Dates: 

    • October 15-17, 2026

  • Presenter Responsibilities

    If selected, you will be required to:

    • Submit a 30-60 seconds video describing your presentation for promotional purposes. 
    • Register for the conference by June 30, 2026 (or your presentation may be pulled from the conference program)

  • Presenter Benefits

    Presenters are given a discounted rate for registration as compensation for their contribution to the field.

  • Where to Stay

    AHTA has a block of rooms reserves at the Marriott Union Square San Francisco. Click here to learn more and reserve your room.

  • Still Have Questions?

    If you have additional questions or nedd additional information, please contact:

    AHTA Conference Committee

    Email: info@ahta.org