Experience
The backbone of IHS is its classes and teachers, but one thing that sets this herbal conference apart from the rest is the incredible feeling of community created here. These experiences are curated to encourage mingling and to give you a chance to take a break from all that learning. Some of these activities are brand new, and others are Symposium favorites from years past:
EMCEE OF GATHERINGS
Amikaeyla Gaston
FRIDAY GATHERING
Speaker: Mark J. Plotkin
SATURDAY GATHERING
Speaker: Rosemary Gladstor
Plant Sound Lounge
Plant music is mesmerizing, always changing, and continuously flowing based on the electrical variations in each plant. Experience plant sounds first-hand in our plant music lounge.
Product Contest
Enter up to two of your herbal creations in the return of this contest. A panel of judges comprised of Symposium teachers and staff will select a winner from each of the following categories:
- Elixirs, Tonics & Syrups
- Medicinal Salves, Ointments & Oils
- Tinctures, Extracts & Other Medicinals
- Anything Goes (for the most original herbal products)
The winners will receive a beautiful certificate and get recognized in front of all attendees on Saturday evening.
Book Signing
Come meet some of your favorite authors! Join us at Emerson on Friday evening at 10:00 PM, following the keynote talks and evening entertainment. We will cap the night with a relaxing tea, snacks, music, and of course the authors, for all to enjoy.
Saad Admani
Robin Rose Bennett
Rebecca Beyer
Chanchal Cabrera
Maria Christodoulou
Russ Cohen
Margi Flint
Michael Friedman
Kimberly Gallagher
Rosemary Gladstar
Maria Noel Groves
Christopher Hobbs
Brendan Kelly
Kat Maier
Gabriel Mojay
Sajah Popham
Dr Raviraja Shetty G
Cathy Skipper
Tammi Sweet
Jonathon Miller Weisberger
David Winston
Matthew Wood
Relaxation Station
Enjoy the soothing environment of this comfy space, intended to help you find calm amidst the conference chaos. Plush pillows, diffused essential oils, and beautiful tapestries help create a feeling of serenity. Generously hosted by Heart Centered Wellness.
Printmaking
Take home a Symposium souvenir thanks to United Plant Savers. Create your own unique prayer flags with botanically inspired woodblocks.
Arts & Culture Exhibits
View three new special exhibits
Deep Ecology Art Gallery
Take in works by participants of the United Plant Savers’ artist fellowship program and inspired by the UpS Botanical Sanctuary.
Cannabis Museum
This renowned museum documents and presents the hidden history of mainstream cannabis use in the US. Discover the little-known ways this plant has permeated industry, the arts, and medicine.
Ohio Herbal Elders Project
Learn about five important Appalachian herbalists via written lore and beautiful photography.
Film Festival Screenings
In case you missed last year’s virtual IHS Film Fest, watch two of the winners on the big screen at this year’s Symposium.
“Saging the World” directed by Rose Ramirez, Deborah Small, David Bryant (US). It spotlights the ecological and cultural issues intertwined with white sage, focusing on the voices of Native advocates who have long protected and cherished this plant.
“Food That Grows on Water” directed by Gabriel Laurence Cowan (US). This film takes an inside look into how the Canadian Oil Pipeline will affect Manoomin (wild rice) and Ojibwe livelihoods.
Herbal Emporium
Shop the indoor and outdoor marketplace, showcasing more than 30 different herbal vendors! Visit our Vendor page to see the full vendor list or to submit a vendor application.
Kava Bar & Herbalists Ball
IHS wouldn’t be complete without a chance to boogie down at the Herbalists Ball. Bring your favorite costumes and show off your moves while a live band performs. Plus, we’re bringing back the very popular kava bar, so you can imbibe kava drinks!