Charging My Design Battery

By Katie Weber, CPLD
2025 President, Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)
Owner, Katie Weber Landscape Design

I attended my first conference in 2007, in Pasadena, California. To go, I had to leave behind a toddler, two dogs, my husband, and a young landscape design business. It was tough financially and personally, but my APLD colleagues in the Washington chapter assured me that conference was well worth it. And wow, were they so right! I don’t know now who spoke, where we travelled, or what gardens we saw; but even today, I remember the way that weekend lit a fire under me; how it filled me with inspiration; and how it propelled my business from fledgling to flight-ready.

Cobalt blues and succulents in Jim Bishop’s Garden. Photo: Katie Weber

Every conference I’ve attended since has had a similar effect of filling my design battery. They’re an essential part of my yearly budget, and I make time regardless of when in the year conference happens. I love seeing colleagues and learning from them. I love the “excuse” to travel to new places and to walk in their gardens.

Boardwalk path and plantings at Ryan Prange’s home (of Falling Waters Landscape). Photo: Katie Weber

This year in San Diego was no exception. I dug into every lecture: from Obi Kaufmann to Carol Bornstein, Richard Hayden, and Nan Sterman; to finishing with Pamela Berstler and Rosalind Haselbeck. They all built our knowledge and challenged us to change the way we think, do and build our garden designs.

Cool grey toned lounge seating. Photo: Katie Weber

San Diego and our local site committee really pulled out all the stops to show us the diverse and beautiful landscape existing in the southwest corner of our country. Gardens are show-stopping; the plants are bold, and quiet, and kinda weird. (And this Seattleite wants them ALL.) The designs are varied, and thoughtful, site-appropriate, and gorgeous. I was exhausted at the end of it, and I have a thousand photos to prove it. What a great weekend!

Outdoor relaxation on the shady side of the house. Photo: Katie Weber

Your national board will be meeting in this month, and one topic we’ll be talking about is next year’s conference. We hope to have information to you very soon with location and dates. If you haven’t made the leap and attended an APLD conference yet, I highly recommend it! I promise, it will change you and your business.