2024 Convention FAQ - African Violet Society of America

2024 AVSA 78th Annual Convention

April 21 – April 28, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an airport shuttle to the hotel?

There is a 24-hour airport shuttle service. Once you are ready to be picked up, call the hotel direct at +1 480-967-1441, press 0. This goes to the front desk who provides timing and directions to the pick-up location.

Where do I volunteer to Judge or Clerk the Show?

All volunteer opportunities have been consolidated into a single page at Volunteer Opportunities.

What is the AVSA Early Booking Discount?

AVSA offers a discount of $20 when you book at the convention hotel by April 1, 2024 through one of two methods:

Calling the toll-free number and referencing the group name of “African Violet Society of America”
Utilizing the online link provided on the AVSA convention website

Detail information for either can be found on the Hotel Information page here.

What is the Discounted Room Rate?

The DoubleTree Phoenix Tempe hotel provides a discounted room price for groups. AVSA negotiated a price for Kings or Doubles for $149. This rate does not include the 14.07% combined state, local and hotel taxes required for all rooms.

The last day to receive DoubleTree’s discounted room group rate is April 1, 2024 or until the group room block is full, whichever comes first.

I’ve never been to convention. Why go?

People come for many reasons. Some come early to enjoy the tours and the AVSA reduced rates of the hotel as a vacation/convention. Others come on Wednesday for the convention activities.

It’s not the type of convention where you go from one presentation or activity to the next. There is down time in between activities. Conversations pop up about care, culture, lighting, soil, etc. just to name a few. Everyone does something a little different and you go home with new ideas to try in your own environment.

There is a first-time convention go-er’s meeting on Wednesday afternoon where convention activities are explained in more detail. It gives everyone a chance to meet other first-timers and there is plenty of time for questions.

Plan to spend time in the show and sale rooms on Thursday (afternoon and evening) , Friday and Saturday. Hours can be spent just walking around looking at all the beautiful plants. Shop in the sales room. It opens on Thursday and a line always starts an hour or two before it opens. You’ll find yourself visiting the sales room multiple times as the crowds thin and you find another special plant or supply item that you don’t want to leave behind.

Be sure to attend all the presentations for great education on various topics. Don’t miss the Luncheon Auction where people donate plants and most anything violet related. There’s always a treasure to go home with and each purchase is a donation to AVSA.

AVSA is 99.9% a volunteer organization. Consider volunteering to meet new people and make your own personal contribution to the success of this year’s convention.

Whether you come for the week or only a few days, each person will get something different from the experience. Hope to see you there!

I am not an AVSA member; can I attend or visit the convention?

Yes! The public is very welcome to come be part of the fun.

A Show room pass of $5.00 gets you into the show and sale rooms. There will be 100s of plants and designs in the show room for your viewing pleasure and the sales room will be filled with plants and supplies.

If you join the African Violet Society of America for $40.00 during your visit, you can get into the show and sale rooms for free.

I am an AVSA member, can I attend for only a day or two?

One day passes are available to AVSA members for $50.00 per day. The pass allows you to participate in the raffle, attend the presentations, visit the show room and shop in the sales room on that day.

Does a non-member have to register, if they only want to signup for the tours and meals?

If a spouse/friend would like to accompany you, but not attend any of the presentations or see the showroom, they do not need to register for convention. You are able to purchase the meals or tours for them on your registration. There is a limit. Only two (2) tickets are allowed for each meal or tour selected.

Can I contribute to the Goody Bags?

If a person or a group would like to consider donating an item for the “Goody Bag” please send an email to Mary Thompson at znailady@gmail.com

A minimum amount to send would be 200. The ideal amount is 225. Anything between 200 and 225 will be sincerely and gratefully accepted.

All donations are very much appreciated!

At the banquets, do we need to sign up together in order to sit together?

Group registrations are no longer needed for seating arrangements. Banquets are now open seating.

Do I have to register to be able to purchase plants on Friday/Saturday?

You do not need to register for convention to enter the sales room on Friday or Saturday. There are admission fees if you are not registered, which are:

$3.00 – AVSA member not registered for convention (bring your AVSA membership number)
$5.00 – not a member of AVSA

Would I be able to do both the judging school as well as attend the Director’s luncheon on Wednesday?

Yes, you will be able to attend the Meet the Directors luncheon and the judging school. The lunch break between the classroom portion and the practice judging and exam will be from 12:15 pm until 1:30 pm. and the Directors Luncheon is at 12:30 to 1:30. If you require further information, the entire Judging School time schedule is found in the January/February 2024 AVM on page 17.