# Event Details - **Event Name**: Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 16 May, 2026 at 08:00 am – Sun, 17 May, 2026 at 04:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden (PJCBG), located in Kernersville, North Carolina, is thrilled to host the Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo in partnership with the International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS). Funding and support for this exciting new event are being generously provided by the Guilford County Horticultural Society and the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden Foundation. This two-day symposium and expo will be held May 16–17, 2026, with activities centered at the Kernersville Community Recreation & Event Center. Opened in January 2025, this $18.3 million facility offers spacious presentation halls and a vibrant expo floor—an ideal setting for two full days of learning, networking, and celebrating plants with fellow enthusiasts. In addition to the main event, the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden will host off-site Master Gardener tours and special exhibits, extending the symposium’s educational and cultural reach across Kernersville. ________________________________________ Vendors & Exhibitors The expo will feature 60 curated booths, ranging from plant growers and nurseries to cultural institutions, artisans, and garden clubs. Visit https://www.carnivorousplants.org/about/CEPExpoDetails to get the full line up of vendors! This mix ensures attendees will find everything from rare carnivorous plants and houseplants to educational opportunities and family-friendly activities. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or sponsor, please contact Kenny Coogan, ICPS Education Director, at kenny@carnivorousplants.org. ________________________________________ Presentations & Speakers Throughout the weekend, hourly talks will highlight the science, conservation, and cultivation of carnivorous plants. Featured speakers include: Saturday, May 16 10:00 AM Joey Santore — KEYNOTE Some Western Hemisphere Carnivores 11:00 AM Johnny Randall Venus Flytrap History, Genetics, and Conservation 12:00 PM Jared Chauncey Man-Eaters: Past and Future 1:00 PM Kadeem Gilbert Tiny Worlds Inside of Pitcher Plants 2:00 PM Mataeus Funderburk The Effects of Salinity on Venus Flytrap Growth 3:00 PM Alison Northup Gardening for Conservation 3:30 PM Drew Martinez Escaping the Niche: Why Carnivorous Plants Should Be Mainstream Sunday, May 17 10:00 AM Joey Santore — KEYNOTE Some Eastern Hemisphere Carnivores 11:00 AM Jeremiah Harris Growing Guinness World Record Venus Flytraps 12:00 PM Max Kotelnicki Cultivating Southeastern Carnivores 1:00 PM Dan Walker Carnivorous Plants of North Carolina 2:00 PM Richard Wong Sarracenia and Climate Change 3:00 PM Mike Helfrich How to Grow Nepenthes ________________________________________ Community & Local Flavor With full support from Visit Winston-Salem and the Town of Kernersville, this symposium is set to be a regional highlight for plant enthusiasts. Kernersville’s central location makes it an excellent hub for exploration. Visitors can enjoy nearby cultural and historical attractions, explore the mountains to the west or the beaches to the east (each only about three hours away), and even take day trips to see the world-famous wild Venus flytrap populations near Wilmington. Kernersville is ideally located in the heart of North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad, just 20 minutes from Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO). Visitors will find plenty to explore beyond the symposium itself, from strolling the charming downtown filled with local shops and restaurants, to enjoying outdoor destinations such as Triad Park, Salem Lake, and the extensive greenways in nearby Winston-Salem and Greensboro. For those interested in history and culture, Old Salem Museums & Gardens and Reynolda House Museum of American Art are within a short drive. With its mix of small-town charm and easy access to larger city amenities, Kernersville offers a welcoming home base for a memorable weekend. Nature lovers won’t want to miss a visit to nearby Pilot Mountain State Park, just 40 minutes northwest of Kernersville. This iconic quartzite peak rises dramatically from the landscape and offers panoramic views, diverse hiking trails, and opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and peaceful reflection. It’s a perfect complement to the symposium weekend—inviting visitors to connect with the region’s wild side. ________________________________________ Sponsors This event would not be possible without the generosity of sponsors who share our passion for plants and community, including: • Ciener Botanical Gardens • International Carnivorous Plant Society • Cake & All Things Yummy – providing cupcakes to the first 100 guests each day! • Mosser Lee • Pacific Street Publishing • Princeton University Press • Visit Winston Salem Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals, businesses, and organizations wishing to support the symposium. ________________________________________ Registration & Membership THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT Regular paid ICPS members will attend the event for free with registration! Full ICPS members also get to early bird entrance from 8am-9am both days! Current non-members may purchase single-day or two-day tickets, which include a complimentary one-year ICPS e-membership. Admitted at 9am. Tickets will be available starting in January 2026. For updates, registration, and additional details, visit: https://icps.clubexpress.com/carnivorous-plant-symposium-2026 ________________________________________ Logistics Event Location: Kernersville Parks & Recreation 1020 Shields Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284 Local Airport: Piedmont Triad International Airport Airport Code GSO Hotel with special room rates: Best Western Kernersville 1570 NC Highway 66 S, Kernersville, NC 27284 https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.34189.html?groupId=Y91TW0A9 Hampton Inn Kernersville may have a few rooms left. https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/carnivoroussymposium/ Sleep Inn Kernersville I-40 1406 Heartland Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284 https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/WY10Q1 TownePlace Suites by Marriott Kernersville 1009 Stafford Centre Dr. Kernersville, North Carolina 27284 https://app.marriott.com/reslink?id=1771519336054&key=GRP&app=resvlink We look forward to welcoming you to Kernersville in May 2026 for this historic celebration of carnivorous and exotic plants. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/kernersville/carnivorous-and-exotic-plant-symposium-and-expo/200029390903041 - **Event Categories**: business, exhibitions, art, trips-adventures, trekking, fine-arts - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 749 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Kernersville - **state**: NC - **country**: United States - **location**: 1020 Shields Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284, United States - **lat**: 36.09563 - **long**: -80.0694 - **full address**: 1020 Shields Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/582448fe5ddeacb73f361d75149e89cf0a971e27cf7b9afda724b53b028c78b0-rimg-w1200-h675-dc344b1c-gmir?v=1776123267 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo being held? - **A:** Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo takes place on Sat, 16 May, 2026 at 08:00 am to Sun, 17 May, 2026 at 04:00 pm at 1020 Shields Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo? - **A:** Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo is organized by International Carnivorous Plant Society - ICPS. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Carnivorous & Exotic Plant Symposium & Expo is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Kernersville, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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