Regional Meetings
The American Iris Society Region 23 is a statewide organization of gardeners dedicated to advancing interest in and knowledge of irises. Region 23 members provide education on the care of irises to local communities through presentations, public shows and judges training sessions.
The purpose of a regional society, and the affiliate local societies, is to share as a group mutual pleasure and interest in the Iris; to promote the culture and further improvement of the plant; and to further the public interest and an appreciation for Iris.
Every year, the five NM clubs; Albuquerque Aril & Iris Society, Enchanted Vista Iris Society; Mesilla Valley Iris Society; Pecos Valley Iris Society; and Santa Fe Iris Society get together to hold a regional convention in one of the club’s home cities. The convention includes a business meeting, educational programs, judges training and a banquet on Saturday night where a guest speaker gives a program. There is a live auction of recently introduced irises after the banquet. During the convention, there is also a silent auction of irises, iris stuff and garden related items of interest. In 2025, former AIS President Gary White gave a program and also gave judges training on Historic Irises. This year Andi Rivaroli, former president of the AIS, will talk about Spurias.
Come and join us for the American Iris Society Region 23 annual convention. The business meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, 2142 Telshor Ct, Las Cruces, NM 88011. This is the first time in a very long time that the regional meeting will be held in the spring and not the summer or fall.There will be garden tours over several days including garden judges training in member’s garden. To the right is the beautiful quilt to be raffled off.
The convention is hosted by the Mesilla Valley Iris Society (MVIS). Click below for the registration form and the schedule. You can also register on-line
2026 Regional Convention Registration
(Any questions, contact Scarlett Ayres, MVIS President, 575-621-0171, sdayres2@aol.com)
Convention registration fees:
Full registration (includes Banquet Dinner) before April 12: $80.00
Late Registration (includes Banquet Dinner) after April 12: $100.00
Holiday Inn Express room total after taxes per room/night for standard double queen or single king rooms = $149.90 Reservations must be made no later than Friday, April 10th in order to receive the discount! Reservations can be made by using the booking link below, or you may call the hotel directly and ask for the Mesilla Valley Iris Society discount P: (575)522-0700. For more info
Attendees are welcome to select their own hotel accommodation.
There are several presentations made during the regional meetings. Presentations have occurred about soil composting, soil conditioning, companion plantings, bugs, hummingbirds, etc. Well known irisarians who have spoken at past annual regional meetings have been:
- 2005 Vincent Christopherson – hybridizer
- 2011 Jeff Anderson – Dona Ana County Agronomy and Horticulture Agent
- 2011 Paul Black – award winning hybridizer
- 2013 Jim and Jean Morris
- 2014 Riley and Shirley Probst, President of the Reblooming Iris Society
- 2014 Pete McGrath, award winning Arilbred hybridizer
- 2015 Ginny Spoon, award winning hybridizer and owner of Winterberry Iris Gardens
- 2015 Sharon McAllister, award winning Arilbred hybridizer
- 2016 Paul Black, award winning hybridizer
- 2018 Linda Miller, award winning MTB hybridizer
- Hugh Stout, award winning hybridizer and owner of Stout Gardens at Dancing Tree
- 2024 Howie Dash on Arilbreds
- 2025 AIS former president Gary White on Historics
