Attendee Information - 2026 Summit - Arizona Grand Resort
Can’t find an answer below? Contact summit@sprouts.com.
We look forward to sharing and learning with you and our 500+ other attendees!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOTEL INFORMATION
Arrival Information
Summit Registration will open on Thursday, February 19 at 11am-6pm in the Lobby Area of the Arizona Grand Resort. The opening reception is at 2:30 followed by a general session at 4:00 at the Canyon Ballroom. Check in the hotel when you arrive to register.
Hotel rooms will be available by 4pm and check-out is 11am. Luggage storage is available at the lobby area.
Please check in when you arrive to get in the hotel’s system. You can opt for a text notification when your room becomes available and then quickly pick up your key.
The hotel will require a credit card hold for incidentals upon check-in.
Thursday breakfast and lunch options are available prior to the Summit in one of the resort’s many restaurants.
General Hotel Information
Hotel Text Only Line: 602-536-8476 for request or questions for hotel staff.
Summit Hotel – Arizona Grand Resort and Spa View details, directions, parking and more at our Lodging and Travel Page
8000 South Arizona Grand E, Phoenix, AZ 85044
Click here to access the property map.
The venue is smoke-free, but there are designated smoking areas.
Service animals are allowed on site.
Visit www.arizonagrandresort.com/faqs for more hotel information
Click here to access the property map.
Here is a hiking and running map.
You can also find a map in the Growing School Gardens Summit 2026 Sched app under Info and Venue Map.
For guests who need mobility assistance, the Arizona Grand Resort offers complimentary rides across the property on their golf carts. Guests must text the resort’s main text line 602-536-8476. Please text 15 minutes prior to needing a ride as they are first come, first served.
For those needing ADA compliant rooms, please request your needs directly with the Arizona Grand Resort. (877) 800-4888
Lactation Room is located is in a Sedona Suite Room s-421.
Please request a key from the Summit’s Registration/Information table so that you can access the room throughout your visit.
This is a two room suite with two bathrooms inside.
From Thursday night to Sunday morning, all meals will be provided. Additionally we will provide beverage breaks and snacks throughout the Summit!
We eat very well at our events! In line with our Summit Commitments, the Summit menu is created in collaboration with Sprouts Farmers Market’s Culinary Director, Chef Matthew Pratta. All meals will have menu items to meet dietary needs such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Ingredient list will be posted or available upon request.
For those arriving early or staying after, there is a grill, bar, and grab and go marketplace in the lobby. There are additional restaurants on-site as well. To learn more visit www.arizonagrandresort.com/dining
Yes, the Arizona Grand Resort has free parking.
There are three Tesla chargers and a Level 2 J1772 plug. They are first come, first served and located on the side road to the right of the main lobby entrance driveway.
PREPARING FOR THE SUMMIT
Things to Bring
We suggest you pack a water bottle and consider bringing your own coffee mug or travel thermos to keep your beverage warm and handy!
If you want to exercise/swim, bring appropriate attire – see the exercise section below.
Things to Share
We will have a few tables where you can share and exchange things with other participants.
- Publishers’ Table – Have you a published a garden-based education book? If so, bring a sample copy to display along with a note or QR code to share purchasing or download information. See the Authors’ FAQ for more information.
- Literature Swap – If you have business cards or program information, you might want to pack that too. We will have a table for you to share your program literature.
- Swag Swap – We will also have a “Give One – Take One” table to share something you want to give away in exchange for taking something from another organization. Examples may include program t-shirts, cap, or bandana.
What to Wear
This is not a formal affair. Dress is comfortable and casual. Be sure to check the weather before you come. We expect upper 60s-40s with sunshine.
Bring swim, hike, and/or gym attire if you wish to partake in those activities.
Theme Days
On Friday we invite you to show off our best fruit and veggie theme garb!
On Saturday, we invite you to rep your org by wearing your organization branded shirt, jacket, cap, or the like.
Once you are set up in Sched, our conference app, you can edit your session description, upload documents/presentations, and engage with attendees using Speaker Tools.
Once logged into Sched, click schedule and follow the link – You’re speaking at this event! Manage & promote your session
Please upload your handouts and/or presentation prior to your session date.
Please bring your own laptop to present from. Let us know by Friday, Feb 13 if you need to borrow one by emailing summit@sprouts.com
For more information related to presenting a session:
Summit Workshop Presenter Tips & Room Information
View Summit Presenter Tips Webinar Recording
Main Stage Lighting Talk Presenter Information
Refer to the Arizona Grand Shipping and Receiving Guidelines
Fees are charged based on size and weight.
SESSION SIGN UPS & TECHNOLOGY
We’ll be using Sched as our conference agenda tool. To help reduce printing and keep information up to date, we won’t be providing a printed agenda. All session information and sign-ups will be available through the Sched app or website.
You will need to have a Sched profile to:
- Sign up for sessions & create your personal Summit agenda
- Chat with other attendees
- Share workshop session feedback
We anticipate many of our workshops and field trips filling to capacity, we encourage you to login to Sched and start selecting sessions.
How to sign up for sessions to create your personal Summit agenda:
Once logged in to Sched, build your agenda by selecting the radio buttons for the sessions you want to attend.
Note: Meals and general sessions have already been added to your Sched.
Tip: Use the filters on the right side of Sched to help browse the agenda.
View agenda highlights and overview at schoolgardensummit.org/summit-overview
How to make your Sched profile and schedule public:
In order for other attendees to see you and your org, read your bio, message you, etc, your profile needs to be public. Internet privacy laws require that your Sched information remain private unless YOU make it public.
- Visit the Summit Sched at https://schoolgardensummit2026.sched.com/
- Log in, click on your icon in top right to edit you profile and privacy settings
Learn more about updating your profile and selecting sessions and manage your agenda
Android Google Play School Gardens Summit 2026
iPhone Apple App Store School Garden Summit 2026
With the app, you can select & view your agenda, chat with other attendees, explore the property map, view speaker bios, leave session feedback and more.
If using the app, please allow notifications upon installing so you don’t miss important info throughout the event.
Make sure to update your Sched account to PUBLIC to connect with other attendees. In the app, click your profile picture in the upper right corner and then edit privacy settings. Learn more to update your profile to make it “public“
Visit https://schoolgardensummit2026.sched.com/ to access our event via a mobile browser. You will need to log into your Sched account to update your privacy settings and select sessions.
Look for the Arizona Grand Meetings network
Sign in with gsgs2026
NETWORKING & SOCIAL MEDIA
In addition to workshop sessions, demo lessons, field trips and deeper dive workshops, we have designed networking opportunities with the intention of creating meaningful connections.
View the conference Sched to learn more about
Extracurriculars and Morning Exercise
Designated Networking Sessions
Thursday Night – Optional extracurriculars in the evening
Friday Lunch – Seating by Program Scale
Friday Afternoon – Affinity Groups
Saturday Breakfast – Seating by Role
Saturday Afternoon – Peer Learning Communities and Solution Sessions
Saturday Night – DIY networking rooms
Sunday Breakfast – Seating by Regions
Have you published a garden-based education book? If so, bring a sample copy to display along with a note or QR code to share purchasing or download information. We’ll have a Publishers’ Table set up alongside other “Share Tables” for attendees to browse throughout the event.
This space will be shared by various authors, so we ask you only place one copy of your book on the table.
Connect with the School Garden Support Organization (SGSO) Network!
- Keep the learning going at their monthly webinars, including the GSG Summit Webinar series
- Join a peer-learning communities to connect with your peers
- Engage with the online forum for continued support and collaboration.
- Join their Newsletter for regular updates and resource round ups.
FUN
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, fellow summit attendees will be leading optional yoga classes, walks, local trail runs, and other fun morning exercise options. We will have yoga mats for use in our morning classes.
The hotel has onsite fitness facilities with treadmills, weight machine, free weights, stationary bikes, a 5-lane lap pool and hot tub.
Hotel Athletic Club Hours
Monday – Friday: 5am – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 6am – 8pm
Lap Pool – 7am – 10pm
The Resort is adjacent to the 17,000 acre South Mountain Preserve for hiking and running. Here is a simple hiking and running map
There is also a water park to play in!
Pack appropriate attire to enjoy yourself.
The Oasis Water Park is open:
Monday – Thursday* | 10am – 5pm (*Rotating Water Features)
Friday – Sunday | 10am – 6pm
The 7-acre Oasis Water Park features an 8 story slide, lazy river, wave pool, and hot tub.
Entrance to the Oasis Water Park requires showing the wristband they will provide to you at checkin.
Hotel Lodging areas have their own pools that are open from 6am-10pm.
There is also a lap swim pool near the gym.
Lap Pool Hours – 7am – 10pm
At the Arizona Grand Resort there is a grill, bar, and grab and go marketplace in the lobby. There are additional restaurants on site as well. To learn more visit www.arizonagrandresort.com/dining
The Resort has great fitness amenities and is adjacent to the South Mountain Preserve for hiking and running. To learn more visit www.arizonagrandresort.com/arizona-grand-athletic-club
Phoenix is home to the Desert Botanical Garden, a treat for plant lovers to visit. If you arrive early on Wednesday or Thursday consider visiting them. They are closed for a special event on Saturday and Sunday, February 21-22.
The Arizona Worm Farm is a unique educational nursery space to visit. They are closed on Sundays.
VisitPhoenix.com has great recommendations for things to do across metro Phoenix.
SUMMIT GENERAL INFORMATION
The Growing School Gardens Summit is hosted by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation in Partnership with Life Lab and the School Garden Support Organization (SGSO) Network.
Learn more about these collaborators.
We recognize that many school garden support professionals can sometimes feel siloed in their work. The Summit provide an opportunity inform, inspire and invigorate the school garden movement through peer to peer engagement & sharing.
In keeping with Summit’s spirit of peer to peer collaboration our Summit Planning Teams are made up of school garden champions like you!
In the Sched app, you will be able to share your feedback for each session you attend.
We will be sharing a post-summit evaluation to solicit your feedback.
Question, comment, or concern? Contact us at summit@sprouts.com
Helpful Numbers
Hotel Text Only Line: 602-536-8476 for requests or questions for hotel staff.
Summit Planning Team: 480-648-9508 text for questions related to Summit programming.
