Explorers Welcome!
Get ready for the world’s preeminent cactus and succulent event for hobbyists of all levels, including beginners, growers, and scholars
April 23 – 27, 2025
Hosted by the San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society at the Mission Valley Marriott in San Diego
SPEAKERS | HOTEL | FIELD TRIPS | PLANT SALE
A Succulent Paradise Awaits you in San Diego!
Springtime in San Diego with the Anza Borrego Desert to the east and Baja to the south makes a great destination and jumping off point for both pre and post convention plant tours.
It’s an inspiring location for our convention with great weather, informative speakers, plant and pottery vendors, auctions, fine food, and many opportunities to visit desert plant habitats.
The San Diego Society is excited to be hosting this time, and is working with the CSSA to plan a fun, informative, and memorable experience.
The San Diego Society was founded in 1961, and has grown into one of the largest and most active in the country. Their regular meetings are held in the lovely Balboa Park. The region is blessed with perfect succulent weather, and San Diego county is home to a vast number of commercial, botanical, and hobbyist growers.
World Renowned Speakers
As usual 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
- Julia Etter & Martin Kristen (Mexico)
- Andrew Hankey (South Africa)
- Adam Harrower (South Africa)
- Atilla Kapitany (Australia)
- Andry Petignat (Madagascar)
- Elisabeth Sarnes (Germany)
- Pieter Van Wyk (South Africa)
US Presenters
- Michelle Cloud Hughes (Opuntioids)
- Kelly Griffin (Dudleya)
- Steven Hammer (Mesembs) – Key Note Speaker
- Brian Kemble (Agave, Yucca, Gasteria)
- Tom McCoy (Aloe, Asclepiads, Saudi Arabia)
- Guillermo Rivera (Taxonomy, Pre-conference Tours)
- Jeremy Spath (Agave)
- Joe Stead (Fouqueria, Bursera)
Final list subject to change.
A Lovely Hotel
The San Diego Marriott Mission Valley is located in a bustling neighborhood next to Rio Vista Station on the San Diego Trolly’s Green line. There are plenty of nearby restaurants. It features a swimming pool, fitness center, and lovely succulent landscaping for attendees to enjoy.
Hotel Reservations are Live!
The Registration Discount Link, allowing CSSA Members to get our special group rate at the hotel, is in the member portal.
NOTE: Registration for the evenings of 04/23 and 04/27/2025 is sold out. If you’d like to stay from 04/23 through 04/28/2025, please book from 04/24 until 04/27/2025 and then email our Business Manager. We are working with the Marriott to add more rooms to our block for that evening.
To help you plan your itinerary:
- Check-in will begin at 3pm on April 23rd
- Field trips will be all day on April 24th – leaving at apx 7:30am
- The Welcome Reception, and opening of the Convention Sale, will take place in the early evening of April 24th
- The Live Auction will be Friday evening, April 25th
- The banquet and awards will be on Saturday evening April 26th
- The speaker sessions will begin first thing on the morning of April 25th and end at the end of the day on April 27th
Field Trips
Local Tours
Whether you are interested in nurseries, gardens, state parks, or even the San Diego Zoo, you won’t want to miss the chance to do one of the convention tours! Day trips are offered on April 24th. You will sign up for these as part of your registration or as a later add-on. Space is limited.
2-week Pre-convention Baja Trip
Additionally, Guillermo Rivera of Plant Expeditions is leading a 13-day trip to Baja launching from Cabos San Lucas and returning to Tijuana, Mexico. The trip will be timed to return just in time for the start of the convention and participants will be given instructions on crossing back into the US from Tijuana. This can be purchased now on his site.
CSSA Convention Plant Sale
In conjunction with the biennial convention, the San Diego Society will put on a public plant sale with dozens of top vendors. A portion of the proceeds supports the convention and CSSA programs like conservation and research around the world.
The sale will feature plants, pottery, and other items of interest, and there will be a preview time open to conference attendees only. Check back in early 2025 to see the vendor list and a detailed schedule.
Additional Information
Attendees will also enjoy:
- Awards banquet and auction
- Live and silent specimen plant / book / pottery auctions
- CSSA Committee breakout meetings
- Affiliate Societies meeting for affiliate reps 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. The CSSA is also active in the dissemination of information and conservation of the plants worldwide.
CSSA Memberships start at only $20/year
We hope to see you there!