CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
October 10 - 12, 2025
Sheraton Baltimore North, Baltimore, Maryland
Theme – “Power in the Flower”
October 10 - 12, 2025
Sheraton Baltimore North, Baltimore, Maryland
Theme – “Power in the Flower”
CONVENTION HOTEL
The 2025 convention hotel is the Sheraton – Baltimore North. The hotel offers free wi-fi, free parking, heated indoor pool, pub & grill, Starbucks® (operates morning hours only), fitness center, and excellent meeting facilities. Please note that staying in the convention hotel assists the organization in meeting its requirements for the hotel contract and overall NJHA fees low.
CONVENTION REGISTRATION
Registration is $325 for single, $315 ea. for 2 or more members of same family.
Full registration includes all meals from Friday banquet through Sunday banquet. Also includes all admission charges and transportation on Sunday to local tours.
We encourage attendance and participation in entire convention activities, but individual banquet meals may be purchased by family members accompanying youth delegates. See partial registration link for details. Registering for the entire convention assists NJHA in keeping other costs low for participants.
Late registration fees after September 15, 2025, are $350, $340, respectively.
CONTEST REGISTRATION
Youth coming to convention to participate in contests must be pre-registered for the contest online at www.njha.org. Please register by September 22, 2025. These forms will automatically go to the project chair in charge of that contest. These forms can be found under the drop-down link “Contests 2025”.
Contests include:
Senior Horticulture ID and Judging
Demonstrations in Horticulture
Speaking in Horticulture
Horticultural Connections Trivia
Writing in Horticulture
NJHA’s Next Top Chef
Floral Arrangements
Promotion in Horticulture
Science in Horticulture
Horticulture Art
Junior Horticulture ID and Judging
Photography
ALUMNI AUCTION
Don’t forget to support the alumni auction this year. Bring along some items from your state that you feel others may enjoy as auction items (i.e.: sweatshirts, books, games, food products, gift cards, etc.)
STATE EXHIBITS
States are encouraged to bring a display that showcases their state. Give-away items are strongly encouraged. Exhibits may be set up in the hospitality area after 2:00 PM on Friday and must be properly maintained during the convention. Exhibits are judged for their educational value. Exhibits should be removed after the awards banquet on Sunday night. Tables will be covered and skirted.
STATE SPIRIT
Refer to the contest section on State Spirit award. One way to demonstrate state spirit and enthusiasm is through a creative state cheer, especially during roll call moments. Additionally, states are encouraged to come up with the occasional shout-out to other delegations. Put on your thinking hats and Have Fun!
DRESS CODE
As a delegate representing your state at a national convention, you are encouraged to dress appropriately during the convention. Youth participating in speeches and demonstrations generally dress up for their presentation. Likewise, everyone is encouraged to wear business attire for the banquets (Awards banquets often see more formal dress for those that desire to do so).
The weather can be variable. Plan on bringing a sweater and/or light jacket along with comfortable walking shoes. Average day temps are 65°F and nights are 40°F.
EXCHANGE ITEMS
States are encouraged to bring pins to exchange with other delegates.
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR STATE FLAGS
You do not need to bring your state flag for the flag ceremony. Smaller flags will be furnished by NJHA. The person carrying the flag should come to the practice dressed for the banquet.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Hotel reservations and Convention registrations are due by September 15, 2025 to receive the standard convention rates. Booking after that date will have increased registration fees and normal hotel rates, substantially above the block rate.
Contest forms are due September 22, 2025.
The 2025 convention hotel is the Sheraton – Baltimore North. The hotel offers free wi-fi, free parking, heated indoor pool, pub & grill, Starbucks® (operates morning hours only), fitness center, and excellent meeting facilities. Please note that staying in the convention hotel assists the organization in meeting its requirements for the hotel contract and overall NJHA fees low.
CONVENTION REGISTRATION
Registration is $325 for single, $315 ea. for 2 or more members of same family.
Full registration includes all meals from Friday banquet through Sunday banquet. Also includes all admission charges and transportation on Sunday to local tours.
We encourage attendance and participation in entire convention activities, but individual banquet meals may be purchased by family members accompanying youth delegates. See partial registration link for details. Registering for the entire convention assists NJHA in keeping other costs low for participants.
Late registration fees after September 15, 2025, are $350, $340, respectively.
CONTEST REGISTRATION
Youth coming to convention to participate in contests must be pre-registered for the contest online at www.njha.org. Please register by September 22, 2025. These forms will automatically go to the project chair in charge of that contest. These forms can be found under the drop-down link “Contests 2025”.
Contests include:
Senior Horticulture ID and Judging
Demonstrations in Horticulture
Speaking in Horticulture
Horticultural Connections Trivia
Writing in Horticulture
NJHA’s Next Top Chef
Floral Arrangements
Promotion in Horticulture
Science in Horticulture
Horticulture Art
Junior Horticulture ID and Judging
Photography
- Entries are due by September 22nd.
- All demonstrations and speech contests are conducted on Saturday morning. The specific time the delegate is scheduled for will be posted by the contest chairperson on Friday evening.
- The horticulture judging and identification contest is held on Saturday afternoon. A horticulture identification study session will be held on Friday night after the banquet.
- If you need more information about the contests (rules, divisions, etc.), please go to the web site (www.njha.org) and/or contact the contest chairperson.
- Open flames are prohibited for any part of your demonstration.
ALUMNI AUCTION
Don’t forget to support the alumni auction this year. Bring along some items from your state that you feel others may enjoy as auction items (i.e.: sweatshirts, books, games, food products, gift cards, etc.)
STATE EXHIBITS
States are encouraged to bring a display that showcases their state. Give-away items are strongly encouraged. Exhibits may be set up in the hospitality area after 2:00 PM on Friday and must be properly maintained during the convention. Exhibits are judged for their educational value. Exhibits should be removed after the awards banquet on Sunday night. Tables will be covered and skirted.
STATE SPIRIT
Refer to the contest section on State Spirit award. One way to demonstrate state spirit and enthusiasm is through a creative state cheer, especially during roll call moments. Additionally, states are encouraged to come up with the occasional shout-out to other delegations. Put on your thinking hats and Have Fun!
DRESS CODE
As a delegate representing your state at a national convention, you are encouraged to dress appropriately during the convention. Youth participating in speeches and demonstrations generally dress up for their presentation. Likewise, everyone is encouraged to wear business attire for the banquets (Awards banquets often see more formal dress for those that desire to do so).
The weather can be variable. Plan on bringing a sweater and/or light jacket along with comfortable walking shoes. Average day temps are 65°F and nights are 40°F.
EXCHANGE ITEMS
States are encouraged to bring pins to exchange with other delegates.
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR STATE FLAGS
You do not need to bring your state flag for the flag ceremony. Smaller flags will be furnished by NJHA. The person carrying the flag should come to the practice dressed for the banquet.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Hotel reservations and Convention registrations are due by September 15, 2025 to receive the standard convention rates. Booking after that date will have increased registration fees and normal hotel rates, substantially above the block rate.
Contest forms are due September 22, 2025.