CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the West Virginia Master Gardeners, what happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas.

Volunteer Delores Barber of Charleston and West Virginia University Extension Service specialist John Jett of Morgantown went to the 2009 International Master Gardener Conference in Las Vegas and promoted Charleston as the site of the group's next event. The efforts paid off -- the 2011 conference, "Color It Green in a Wild & Wonderful Way," will be held in Charleston Oct. 11-14, and the leaders are expecting a good crowd.

"We tried to showcase West Virginia and all it has to offer," Barber said. "We had a booth in the trade-show area with displays, West Virginia music by West Virginia artists, a West Virginia trivia quiz with prizes, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau was there with us. We started a database for folks interested in the conference. We'll be doing more attendance-building appearances at other state meetings and conferences between now and 2011."

The conference is expected to draw 1,200 people, according to Jett.

"Seventy-five percent of the Master Gardeners in the United States are east of the Mississippi, so we expect to draw a good number," Jett said. "We planned the dates with pre- and post-tours for participants in mind, promoting the fall beauty of the Appalachian hardwoods. Actually, we're on the cusp of Bridge Day -- it's the weekend before our conference.

"We expect people from all 50 states and from Canada," Jett said.

Hosted by West Virginia University Extension Service and the West Virginia Master Gardener Association, the conference will feature a variety of presentations on topics such as biodiversity, controlling exotic weeds, making the most of native plants in the landscape and improving gardening methods.

Jett said the committee interviewed past conference chairmen to glean ideas for programming. "The International Master Gardener Conference committee is a national group with guidelines that we follow."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the West Virginia Master Gardeners, what happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas.

Volunteer Delores Barber of Charleston and West Virginia University Extension Service specialist John Jett of Morgantown went to the 2009 International Master Gardener Conference in Las Vegas and promoted Charleston as the site of the group's next event. The efforts paid off -- the 2011 conference, "Color It Green in a Wild & Wonderful Way," will be held in Charleston Oct. 11-14, and the leaders are expecting a good crowd.

"We tried to showcase West Virginia and all it has to offer," Barber said. "We had a booth in the trade-show area with displays, West Virginia music by West Virginia artists, a West Virginia trivia quiz with prizes, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau was there with us. We started a database for folks interested in the conference. We'll be doing more attendance-building appearances at other state meetings and conferences between now and 2011."

The conference is expected to draw 1,200 people, according to Jett.

"Seventy-five percent of the Master Gardeners in the United States are east of the Mississippi, so we expect to draw a good number," Jett said. "We planned the dates with pre- and post-tours for participants in mind, promoting the fall beauty of the Appalachian hardwoods. Actually, we're on the cusp of Bridge Day -- it's the weekend before our conference.

"We expect people from all 50 states and from Canada," Jett said.

Hosted by West Virginia University Extension Service and the West Virginia Master Gardener Association, the conference will feature a variety of presentations on topics such as biodiversity, controlling exotic weeds, making the most of native plants in the landscape and improving gardening methods.

Jett said the committee interviewed past conference chairmen to glean ideas for programming. "The International Master Gardener Conference committee is a national group with guidelines that we follow."

The committee is seeking sponsorships, with one lead sponsor, Ball Horticultural, in place. The committee is identifying individuals and companies in West Virginia and nationally to help underwrite different portions of the conference.

The conference Web site says Charleston Mayor Danny Jones has committed up to $11,000 from the city's incentive funds to cover meeting and workshop space at the Charleston Civic Center. The lead hotel is the Charleston Marriott and the group is working with the Holiday Inn Express Civic Center, Hampton Inn Downtown and the Fairfield Inn as well.

Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau President Patty Pitrolo accompanied Jett and Barbour to Las Vegas and said the groups' impact will be significant.

"That's a nice-sized convention," Pitrolo said. It will have an economic impact of about a half a million dollars. It's a real nice group of people, and they draw from a broad area.

"We went to the convention in Vegas as an attendance-builder, wondering how to entice the members to come to West Virginia after a trip to Vegas," Pitrolo said. "We were quite pleased to find out that we didn't have to sell West Virginia -- they are anxious to come here."

Committees are in place with participation from across the state, Barber explained. There are people coordinating speakers, hospitality, a trade show, registration, day tours, pre- and post-conference tours and meals. For information, visit http://imgc.ext.wvu.edu/.

"It's an exciting project and a chance to showcase our great state and friendly folks," Barber said.

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.