30 Years and Growing
September 29 & 30, 2026
Program for 2026
Meet our Keynote: Mark Hall-Patton
"Finding Opportunity Under the Desert Sun; Yonema "Bill" Tomiyasu's Story”
Mark Hall-Patton retired in 2021 as the Museum’s Administrator for the Clark County museum system, where he oversaw the Clark County Museum, the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, and the Searchlight History Museum. He had been with Clark County for twenty-eight years, and was previously the Director of the San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum in California. He worked for both public and private non-profit museums, and continues to consult with museums and museum boards.
He was a MAP surveyor for the American Alliance of Museums, and is the author of four books, over 450 articles, and 85 monographs. He has written and produced 48 local history videos. In 2009, he hosted a live interview program on CCTV, and is regularly seen on the History Channel’s Pawn Stars. He has also appeared on over 30 other television and radio shows, including French, British, Scotch, Flemish, and South Korean shows. He is currently appearing with Ted Faye in Mark and Ted’s History Adventures on YouTube.
He was a Board member of the Nevada Museums Association for 14 years, serving as President from 2000-2002 and 2008-2010, and also served on the California Association of Museums and Western Museums Association boards. He is currently a member of the board of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation. He was in the museum field for 44 years. He holds a BA in History from the University of California at Irvine, and did graduate work in Museum Studies at the University of Delaware.
In 2022 he was honored as a Distinguished Nevadan of the Year by the Nevada System of Higher Education. He is the past Sublime Noble Grand Humbug of E Clampus Vitus. He is married to Dr. Colleen Hall-Patton, and they are the parents of Dr. Joe Hall-Patton, and Ellen Messenger-Patton.
Mark Hall-Patton retired in 2021 as the Museum’s Administrator for the Clark County museum system, where he oversaw the Clark County Museum, the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, and the Searchlight History Museum. He had been with Clark County for twenty-eight years, and was previously the Director of the San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum in California. He worked for both public and private non-profit museums, and continues to consult with museums and museum boards.
He was a MAP surveyor for the American Alliance of Museums, and is the author of four books, over 450 articles, and 85 monographs. He has written and produced 48 local history videos. In 2009, he hosted a live interview program on CCTV, and is regularly seen on the History Channel’s Pawn Stars. He has also appeared on over 30 other television and radio shows, including French, British, Scotch, Flemish, and South Korean shows. He is currently appearing with Ted Faye in Mark and Ted’s History Adventures on YouTube.
He was a Board member of the Nevada Museums Association for 14 years, serving as President from 2000-2002 and 2008-2010, and also served on the California Association of Museums and Western Museums Association boards. He is currently a member of the board of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation. He was in the museum field for 44 years. He holds a BA in History from the University of California at Irvine, and did graduate work in Museum Studies at the University of Delaware.
In 2022 he was honored as a Distinguished Nevadan of the Year by the Nevada System of Higher Education. He is the past Sublime Noble Grand Humbug of E Clampus Vitus. He is married to Dr. Colleen Hall-Patton, and they are the parents of Dr. Joe Hall-Patton, and Ellen Messenger-Patton.
Curious?
Take a stroll around our 2025 event with Desert Green Board Member, Joe Noriega
Take a stroll around our 2025 event with Desert Green Board Member, Joe Noriega
Costs:
- Full Conference - 275.00 (305.00 after September 15)
- One Day - 175.00 (205.oo after September 15)
- Student Full Conference - 125.00 (155.00 after September 15)
- Student One Day - 70.00 (105.00 after September 15)
Hosted by:
Nevada Chapter - American Society of Landscape Architects, Nevada Plants, Nevada Shade Tree Council, Southern Nevada Arborist Group, Southern Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association, Southern Nevada Irrigation Association, Southern Nevada Water Authority, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture
Nevada Chapter - American Society of Landscape Architects, Nevada Plants, Nevada Shade Tree Council, Southern Nevada Arborist Group, Southern Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association, Southern Nevada Irrigation Association, Southern Nevada Water Authority, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture
CEUs
Tuesday up to 7.75 ISA CEUs
Wednesday up to 6.75 ISA CEUs
Pesticide hours applied for in Nevada, California, Arizona
Irrigation and Landscape Architect CEUs available too!
Tuesday up to 7.75 ISA CEUs
Wednesday up to 6.75 ISA CEUs
Pesticide hours applied for in Nevada, California, Arizona
Irrigation and Landscape Architect CEUs available too!
Sponsor Opportunities
Green Industry Suppliers - How GREEN are you?
Do you want to grow your business? We have three levels of support to choose from - choose the level that best fits your needs
Green Industry Suppliers - How GREEN are you?
Do you want to grow your business? We have three levels of support to choose from - choose the level that best fits your needs
Check the latest Floorplan on the sponsor page!
Students!
Scholarships are available for Conference registration and travel.
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Linn Mills Scholarship
Linn Mills was a founding Father of the Desert Green Foundation, brilliant horticulturist, and life-long supporter of horticulture education. In honorarium, the Desert Green Foundation offers scholarship awards to students enrolled in higher education pursuits. Application Criteria:
Important Dates:
Fortier Excellence in Education Scholarship (FEES) Joe Fortier was one of the founding members of the Desert Green Foundation. Joe was a highly regarded member of the landscape irrigation industry throughout the Desert Southwest and a tireless advocate of continued education for industry professionals. The Fortier Excellence in Education Scholarship (FEES) award will allow the awardee/s to attend the annual Desert Green conference to accept the Linn Mills Scholarship award. FEES will pay for both days and cover all registration fees for educational sessions, meals, handouts, and entrance to the trade show. Travel and lodging will be included for out-of-the area recipients. Complete applications should be submitted to Martha Barajas [email protected] Questions? Email Scholarship Chair, ML Robinson |
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What attendees are saying....
"Always impressed at the diversity of topics at the conference. I will switch classrooms depending upon if there is a good speaker or a interesting topic in one class vs another. "
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"It was all around excellent!"
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South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa
southpointcasino.com
9777 Las Vegas Blvd South ~ Las Vegas, NV 89183
southpointcasino.com
9777 Las Vegas Blvd South ~ Las Vegas, NV 89183
$84.00 per night
(Mon - Thurs) *
Unmatched value and unparalleled comfort coexist in each of their welcoming guest rooms.
Please use the link below to book your room by September 6, 2026
or call (866) 791-7626 (toll free)
Group code DES0927
(Mon - Thurs) *
Unmatched value and unparalleled comfort coexist in each of their welcoming guest rooms.
Please use the link below to book your room by September 6, 2026
or call (866) 791-7626 (toll free)
Group code DES0927
* Discounted Resort fee of 20.00 per room is included in room rate. Resort fee includes Guest room WIFI/internet, Fitness Center access, Self-parking and Valet services, Airport Shuttle services (scheduled/based on availability), In-room Keurig coffee maker, 24 hour Business Center with computer access and Local/toll free phone calls
Airport Shuttle - Call 1/866-791-7626 or local 702/797-8901 for Airport shuttle reservations
Airport Shuttle - Call 1/866-791-7626 or local 702/797-8901 for Airport shuttle reservations
For more information, contact Rose Epperson - [email protected]
Registration questions - Heather Crippen - 702.420.7079 Sponsors & Exhibitors - Suzanne Schuba - 559.784.8734
Registration questions - Heather Crippen - 702.420.7079 Sponsors & Exhibitors - Suzanne Schuba - 559.784.8734