General Information & FAQs

Weather 

Winters in Alabama and Georgia, like many camellia climates, are generally mild with an occasional freezing night. However, we are at the mercy of the weather, which can be very cold and wet at times. Attendees are advised to bring a coat and hat including a light raincoat in the event of inclement weather. We will issue a weather report two weeks before the Pre-Congress, with more information.

Attire 

Clothing for all ICS events is neat, casual, and comfortable. Some events are dressier, such as the Awards Banquet at which dresses (women) or coats & ties (men) are optional.

Physical Demands 

The tour schedule for an ICS Congress may require climbing into and out of buses, long walks, and brisk garden tours on uneven or hilly terrain -- sometimes in bad weather!

Letters of Invitation
  
Attendees who desire a formal invitation letter (for travel or academic purposes) may request one. Please send an email request to Forrest.Latta@Burr.com.

Help Desk 

A help desk will be staffed during the entire ICS Congress to assist attendees with personal needs. A telephone helpline will also be available for 24-hour emergency assistance.

Conference Manager   

Conference Direct is a leader in international meeting management. They will be on site during the ICS Congress, assisted by the tourism offices of each host city. More info at www.ConferenceDirect.com. 

Optional Activities 

Each host city has a wide range of recreational and artistic opportunities such as golf, bird watching, guided fishing trips, nature tours, and shooting ranges (to name a few). Let us know if you wish to schedule such an activity by emailing Forrest.Latta@burr.com. 

Host Organization 

The American Camellia Society is honored to host the 2027 International Camellia Congress. ACS President Jim Fitzpatrick (California) is a longtime ICS member who attended previous Congresses. He heads a 20-member ACS Board of Directors that is proud to host this historic event. The ACS Executive Director is Matthew Israel, a landscape architect by training. The U.S.-based officers of ICS include: Vice-President/Americas, Forrest Latta (Alabama); three Directors, Dr. Brad King (California), Celeste Richard (Louisiana), and Mark Crawford (Georgia); Treasurer Alice Crawford; and U.S. Membership Representative Bobbie Jo Creel.

Official Logo

“Dancing Camellia” is the name of this stylized image, reminiscent of a festive dancer — a fitting image for the ICS’ 65th anniversary. It is by the late Nall Hollis, an American artist who spent his career in Europe where he trained under Salvador Dali and owned a studio and gallery in Vence, France. Hollis’ works are featured in galleries and museums throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. He returned home to his native Alabama in 2005 where he opened a gallery in Fairhope, along Mobile Bay near the Marriott Grand Hotel at Point Clear (our host hotel) where his camellia artwork is extensively featured. Click here for more information.