Join us in Tucson for 2027 Biennial Convention
SPEAKERS | HOTEL | FIELD TRIPS | PLANT SALE
Questions about the convention, contact the CSSA Business Office
Hotel Check-in on Wednesday, May 19, 2027 at 4pm🌵
Hotel Check-out on Monday, May 24, 2027, by 10am
Pre-Convention Field Trip – 5/19 all-day 🌵🌵
Event Check-In begins at 4pm on 05/19/2027
First Day of Presentations – 5/20
Field Trips will be held in the morning on 05/21, 05/22, and 05/23 with presentations in the afternoon 🌵🌵🌵
🌵All time local Tucson time
🌵🌵 Pre-convention Field Trip is an all-day trip (details below)
🌵🌵🌵 Field trips are purchased through the registration portal, ahead of time.
REGISTRATION IS LIVE for Standard, Life, Fellow, and Associate Members
Get your registration link through the member portal.
Join us for the 2027 Cactus & Succulent Society of America Biennial Convention – Hosted by the Tucson Cactus & Succulent Society at The Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson.
May 19 – 24, 2027
Sponsors are needed to ensure this convention is the best yet. The CSSA brings speakers from around the world, at considerable expense, in addition to other included events. In order to keep the cost of participation down, we rely on sponsors.
Click below to find out more about sponsoring the convention.
Join cactus and succulent aficionados from around the world in the heart of the Sonoran Desert
Did we mention it’s a dry heat?
Tucson is an inspiring location for our convention with great weather, informative speakers, plant and pottery vendors, auctions, world-renowned cuisine, and many opportunities to visit desert plant habitats.
The Tucson Cactus & Succulent Society is excited to be hosting this event with the CSSA to plan a fun, informative, and memorable experience for members. Find out more about the Tucson Club here.
Free Travel Guide
Our partner, Visit Tucson, has put together a guide to make the most out of your visit to Tucson.
Click on the QR Code or scan it with your phone to see the Travel Guide.
The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society was founded in 1960, and is believed to be the largest local Cactus and Succulent club in the world.
World Renowned Presenters
The convention will feature talks from world renowned botanists, explorers, authors, and growers. It’s a great place to catch up on the latest research, but also to make connections with these top-tier succulentists.
International Presenters
- Dr. Alberto Burquez
- Stefan Campbell
- Graham Charles – Keynote Speaker
- Dr. Roy Earle
- Ricardo Ramírez Chaparro
- Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld
- Pijaya Vachajitpan
US Presenters
- Dr. Peter Breslin
- Mark Dimmitt
- Jane Evans
- Dr. Tania Hernández Sanders
- Dr. Lucas Majure
- Sandy Masuo
- Stephen McCabe
- William D. “Bill” Peachey
- Dr. Michiel Pillet
- Rob Romero
- John Trager
- Dr. Robert H. Webb
Convention Schedule – New for 2027
To beat the heat, we’re trying something new this year! Field trips will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, with presentations all day Thursday and from the afternoons into the early evening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
And don’t worry—we’ve arranged the schedule to include even more presentations than in past years!
The schedule is subject to change.
Note – If you plan to participate in the pre-convention field trip on May 19th, you may wish to arrive one day early and check into La Paloma on May 18. The hotel is offering the CSSA group rate for the evening of May 18, subject to room availability. Contact the Business Manager if you would like to add a pre-convention night to your reservation.
A Lovely Hotel
The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa is a beautiful resort for attendees to enjoy.
Hotel Reservations
Hotel Check-in on Wednesday, May 19, 2027 at 4pm
Hotel Check-out on Monday, May 24, 2027, by 10am
CSSA Members, click the link below to get our special group rate at The Westin La Paloma.
Regular rates at this hotel can be over $400/night. The CSSA nightly rate will be $149/night, plus a $10/night resort charge*, for a total of $159/night (taxes are additional). Complimentary parking is included.
If you have questions or issues with the hotel block rate, please contact our Business Manager or 909-276-5031
*The resort charge gives guests access to guest room internet service, unlimited local phone calls, first 2 pages of faxes, access to in-room safe, complimentary use of self-parking facilities, unlimited admission to WestWORKOUT, and complimentary shuttle to La Encantada Shopping center.
Electric vehicle owners – La Paloma has one Tesla charger that is available through valet parking ($35/night). There are several local charging stations near La Paloma:
Tesla Super Charging Station, 2905 E Skyline Dr
Chargepoint Charging Station, 5501 N Hacienda del Sol Rd
Download PDF Version by Clicking on Map
Field Trips
Local Tours
Field trips will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings to avoid the heat. Daily programs, on those days, won’t start until the field trips return.
Field trip sign up is a part of registration or as a later add-on. Space is limited.
Note – If you plan to participate in the pre-convention field trip on May 19th, you may wish to arrive one day early and check into La Paloma on May 18. The hotel is offering the CSSA group rate for the evening of May 18, subject to room availability. Contact the Business Manager if you would like to add a pre-convention night to your reservation.
CSSA Convention Plant & Art Sale
In conjunction with the biennial convention, CSSA and TCSS will host a public plant sale with dozens of top vendors and unique pots and art. The proceeds support the convention and CSSA programs like conservation and research around the world.
Vendor Sales Open to the Public on:
Friday, May 21st, 9am to 5pm
Saturday, May 22nd, 9am to 5pm
Sunday, May 23rd, 9am to 3pm
Free Parking Pass at Check-Out
Directory of Vendors – COMING SOON
The sale will feature plants, pottery, books, seeds, and other items of interest. There will be a preview time open to conference attendees only on the evening of May 20th.
The CSSA will be offering seeds and books from the CSSA library for sale in the convention area. Click the link below to download the list of available seeds—while supplies last!
Additional Information
Attendees will also enjoy:
- Botanical Art Gallery
- Rare Plants, Books, and Pottery Auction
- Awards Banquet
- CSSA Convention Committee Meeting
- Affiliate Societies Meeting for Affiliate Representatives and Officers
The Cactus & Succulent Society of America, Inc., founded in 1929, is dedicated to the study, cultivation, preservation, and propagation of cacti and succulent plants. CSSA actively disseminates information about cacti and succulents, and promotes their conservation worldwide.
CSSA Memberships start at only $20/year
We hope to see you there!