Katie Dubow named 2016 Emergent Communicator by GWA

Philadelphia, Pa. - Katie Dubow, creative director of Garden Media Group, was awarded the Emergent Communicator Honor at The Association for Garden Communicators' 2016 Annual Conference and Expo in Atlanta.

The Emergent Communicator Honor recognizes a professional under the age of 40 who shows exceptional skills, professional ethics and dedication to the GWA mission and values. Dubow will be one of five to receive GWA Honors at its annual awards banquet.

“I am humbled to be the first to receive the Emergent Communicator Honor by my friends and colleagues at GWA,” says Dubow. “I am fortunate to work with innovative clients and creative garden writers and to be part of a great legacy and dedicated team at Garden Media.”

At Garden Media, Dubow works with some of the most respected companies in the home and garden industry, manages marketing campaigns for a variety of national clients and continues to build new business relationships. She is a major force behind Garden Media’s annual garden trends report.

Dubow also serves on marketing committees for both GWA and the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH).

“Katie is incredibly talented and creative and is a driving force on our team,” says Susan McCoy, president and founder of Garden Media. “She continues to drive Garden Media to be the key industry player it is. I am extremely proud of her.”

Before joining Garden Media in 2011, Dubow held positions as a marketing manager for Liz Claiborne, Inc. and a technical production manager at CBS in New York. A 2004 Northeastern University graduate, she has spent most of her career learning the ins and outs of brand management and analyzing the green industry.

New leaders announced during GWA expo

The Association for Garden Communicators welcomed more than 300 garden communicators to Atlanta, Ga. for its 68th Annual Conference & Expo. The event provided a unique opportunity for individuals in the horticultural communication sector to come together to connect, learn and grow.

The conference featured 15 garden tours throughout Atlanta and Athens and 27 education sessions over the course of four days, including keynote addresses from renowned thought leaders Coach Vince Dooley and Michael A. Dirr, PhD, as well as The Weather Channel’s Maria LaRosa. This year’s Conference & Expo also featured more than 50 sponsors and exhibitors from across the industry.

"Every year, the GWA Annual Conference & Expo provides a unique opportunity for communicators to come together and learn from influential individuals in the industry,” says Kirk Brown, GWA President. “The growing and diverse attendance reflects GWA’s goal of being a highly-respected organization in the garden communications sector.”

During the GWA Awards & Honors Dinner, sponsored by Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs and emceed by Dr. Allan Armitage,, the recipients of GWA Honors and GWA Media Awards Silver Medal winners were recognized, and the 2016 Media Award Gold Medal winners were announced.

• Best Overall Book - Craig LeHoullier & Storey Publishing, Epic Tomatoes: How to Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time
• Best Overall Magazine - Beckie Fox, Michael Fox & Inspiring Media, Inc., Garden Making, Issue No. 24, Garden Essentials
• Best Overall Electronic Media - David Calle, The Good Garden: Garden History Design Inspiration
• Best Overall Broadcast Media - Linda Lehmusvirta, Central Texas Gardener
  
• Best Overall Trade - George Coombs & Mt. Cuba Center, “Coreopsis for the Mid-Atlantic Region”
• Best Writing: Book - Ken Druse, The New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change
• Best Writing: Magazine - Teresa Woodard, “Honey Harvest”
  
• Best Writing: Newspaper/Newsletter/Brochure - Jeff Lowenfels, “Immortality & Grandpa’s Daylillies”, et al.
  
• Best Writing: Electronic - Teresa Odle, GardeninginaDrought.com
  
• Best Photography - Bob Stefko, “Honey Harvest”
  
• Best On-Air Talent - Nan Sterman, A Growing Passion

Additionally, the newly elected officers and directors were introduced during the organization’s annual business meeting on Saturday afternoon. These officers and directors will join the existing leaders on the 2015-2016 Board of Directors:

Officers
President - Kirk Brown
Vice President - Becky Heath
Treasurer - Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Secretary - Maria Zampini

National Directors
Region I - C.L. Fornari
Region III - Diane Blazek
Region V - Bill Johnson

Regional Directors
Region I - Jan Johnsen
Region II - Kate Copsey
Region III - Beth Botts
Region IV - Barbara Wise
Region V - Rita Perea
Region VI - Jacqueline Soule
Region VII - Wendy Downing

The 2017 Annual Conference & Expo will be in Buffalo, NY, August 4-7. Exhibitor and sponsor opportunities are now available and attendee registration will open in early spring 2017.