The FIRST “Weekend-Biennial”: Rio Grande Valley

[IPS President]

I am super excited to announce a new travel concept from the International Palm Society.  Introducing the “Weekend Biennial”! And our first will be in the Rio Grande Valley this December:

Friday night December 12 - Sunday afternoon, December 14, 2025

We’re equally thrilled to partner with the Palm Society of South Texas and their indefatigable president @Chuck M PSST

This will be an unequaled opportunity to mingle with fellow Palm-talkers, view palms in habitat, visit private gardens, enjoy lectures by noted botanical experts,  and we are particularly proud of the included meals featuring local specialties.

Of course there is much more to follow and I am looking forward to sharing it all with everyone here on Palm talk.

The event will be restricted to one gregarious bus load of palm nuts, about 56 total.

The registration will open on Palm talk, likely in early June.

 Andy🌴

 

[Darold Petty]

If the listing is on Palmtalk will registration be restricted to IPS members ?

[IPS President]

Yes @Darold Petty

The trip will be for IPS members only. Registration will open on Palm talk and later be released to the entire worldwide Membership. Remember there are only 56 seats on the bus so it may sell out. I hope you’re going to join us @Darold Petty!!

[Cindy Adair]

I have seen the itinerary and am very enthusiastic about this trip!

I will absolutely attend and very much want to match more Palm Talk names to faces.
 

Never before has an IPS trip been opened first to those on PalmTalk. 

I believe the price will be a happy surprise too. 

Please save the dates and follow this topic as Andy posts the details over time. 
 

With the space limited to 56, I expect this trip to fill very quickly. 
 

Don’t miss out…

[Kim]

Interesting! What city? What is the nearest airport with scheduled service? 

[IPS President]

Thank you @Kim

We will be based on South Padre Island with an opening banquet on Friday, December 12. Touring will be all day Saturday and Sunday in the Brownsville area. The nearest airports are Brownsville/South Padre Island Airport and Valley International Airport in Harlingen. 

[Cindy Adair]

I just looked at flight costs for those dates from Puerto Rico, LA, Miami, Hawaii and a few others.  
 

As hoped, way below usual fares to our international biennials. 
 

Going will be my Christmas present to myself. 

[Elvis Cruz]

Sounds like a fun weekend!   

Looking forward to trying some Texas-style chili.

[Chuck M PSST]

Andy, great ice breaker for the Weekend Biennial.  For those of you who do not know me I am the Prez of the PSST here in South Texas and are co-hosting the IPS/PSST meetings.  We have several venues that are representative of our unique area: Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Gladys Porter Zoo, and of course South Padre Island.  We have planned several speakers, tours and local cuisine, Texas BBQ, Seafood, and authentic Mexican food.  Andy requested the real deal, and we will make it happen.  I know a lot of you are somewhat local on PT and we would love to meet you at the event and maybe join our organizations PSST and IPS.  

Check out the link below.  If it doesn't play for you automatically you may have to download it to your computer.  It's a little over two minutes and hi-res so give it time to load.  A little teaser of our area and one of our partnerships.  Hopefully I copied it correctly and you can open it.  I took this drone video of the Sabal Palm Sanctuary last February.  Notice the buzzards and black vultures using the S. mexicanas as roosting habitats.    

If anyone has any questions, contact me or Andy directly.  My number is 850.322.4907 or you can email us with the PSST at palmsocietyofsouthtexas@gmail.com. 

SabalPalmPreserve02062024.MOV

[IPS President]

Thank you @Chuck M PSST

Great video!

I am looking forward to the South Texas hospitality and especially the barbecue! I hope this turns out to be a Palm talkers reunion-so all of us forum friends can actually meet together in-person. 
 

This is no longer just a rumor, I’m very happy to announce that the Board of Directors from the IPS have unanimously voted to proceed. Let’s start by revealing our tentative itinerary and costs.

 

 

International Palm Society “Weekend Biennial” in the Rio Grande Valley 

Friday night December 12 through Sunday afternoon, December 14, 2025

 

Registration opens on Palm talk in May/June

 

Price per person $224 plus a $100 donation to the International Palm Society. Total= $324

 

Itinerary 

Arrival on Friday, December 12: 

Hotel: Margaritaville, South Padre Island

Happy Hour/hors d’oeuvres (5pm) 

Opening Banquet (6pm)

Presentation by Jason Dewees (introduced by Dr. Scott Zona), with a book signing to follow. 

 

Saturday, December 13: 

Breakfast at the hotel

Bus to the SPI Birding Center (8am)

   -90 min. expert led tour

Bus to the zoo (10am)

  - So. BBQ, lectures, tours

Bus to two private gardens (3pm)

  -happy hour*

Return to hotel (6pm)

Dinner on your own 

 

Sunday, December 14: 

Breakfast at the hotel 

Bus to private garden (9am)

Bus to Sabal Sanctuary  (11am)

  - lectures, tours, homemade lunch 

Leave  to Hotel (3pm)

 

* happy hour (beer, wine, bourbon. scotch, soft drinks and snacks) generously provided by Dr. Romeo Montalvo

Included: 

The opening celebration which will begin at 5 PM Friday night with a happy hour (cash bar) and hors d’oeuvres (generously provided by the Palm Society of South Texas), on the veranda, overlooking the Gulf. This will be followed at 6 PM with a Texas style local seafood buffet. Dr. Scott Zona will introduce author Jason Dewees who will speak on landscaping with palms. A book signing will follow. 

 

Saturday at the Zoo (over 20 palm species in cultivation) featuring South Texas barbecue by the award-winning RJs. This will include melt in your mouth brisket, ribs, chicken and plenty of sides.  

 

Sunday at the Palm Sanctuary an authentic, “made from scratch”, Mexican meal enjoyed amongst the endemic palms of the Rio Grande Valley. 

 

All park and garden admissions (including expert lead tours and talks)

 

An academic botanist

 

Bus transportation, Saturday and Sunday 

 

 

Not included: 

Airport transfers 

Dinner Saturday night 

 

 

Please note: registrants make their own hotel reservation via a link to be provided. We have negotiated a room rate beginning at $120 per night double occupancy at The Hotel Margaritaville South Padre Island. Breakfast is included. 

 

Itinerary and price subject to change. 

 

All registrations are nonrefundable. Hotel reservations may be refundable according to their cancellation policy.

 

The International Palm Society operates as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Your donation may be tax deductible. Please consult with a tax expert. 

 

Please bring your books to be signed after the presentation at the opening banquet on Friday night!