Call for Digital Content: Put Your Garden on the World Stage!

Be Part of the Ultimate "Road Trip Across the U.S."  
In 2027, the world’s eyes will turn to Yokohama, Japan, for the GREEN×EXPO—a monumental international horticulture event expected to draw up to 15 million visitors. The United States exhibit will take attendees on an immersive, breathtaking "Road Trip Across the U.S.," showcasing the incredible ecological diversity, innovative research, and vibrant communities that define American public gardens. 

We need your garden to be a stop on this journey! You don’t have to travel across the globe to be part of this historic event. We are calling on all public gardens to submit their most stunning photos and captivating videos to be featured digitally and physically throughout the U.S. exhibit. This is your chance to showcase your garden’s unique beauty, your dedicated staff, and your community impact to millions of international visitors. Let’s show the world what U.S. public gardens are all about! 

Put your garden on the global map.
One of our primary goals is to inspire international travel and drive tourism to American public gardens. Japanese tourists represent one of the largest demographics of visitors to the U.S., second only to the British. By contributing content, you are directly influencing the travel decisions of millions of prospective visitors, positioning your garden as a "must-see" destination on their next American adventure.

The Pursuit of Happiness
The theme of the GREEN×EXPO is "Scenery of the Future for Happiness," and the U.S. Exhibit will bring this to life through our own theme: "The Pursuit of Happiness." We know that gardens are more than just plants; they are sanctuaries that foster well-being and joy. We want to show the world that visiting U.S. gardens makes people happy! As you select your photos and videos, we encourage you to look for those "joyful" moments—smiles, wonder, and the serene beauty that reflects the happiness found in your landscape.

Eligibility 
Applicants must be a U.S. public garden. A public garden is an institution that maintains plants for the purposes of public education and enjoyment, in addition to research, conservation, and higher learning. It must be open to the public and the garden’s resources and accommodations must be made available to all visitors. 

1. Submission Categories 
   We are looking for visual content that tells the story of your garden. You may submit to as many categories as you like (max 2 entries per category per garden; e.g. 2 photos, 1 photo/1 video, etc.): 
   • Category 1: The Landscapes & Collections (Photos or B-Roll) Sweeping drone shots, seasonal highlights, unique biomes, and stunning botanical vistas. Show us the iconic views that make your garden a must-see destination. 
   • Category 2: Community & Connection (Photos or B-Roll) Candid moments of joy, education, and connection. We want to see children exploring, community events in full swing, and visitors interacting with nature. 
   • Category 3: Public Gardens in Action (Photos or 2–3 Minute Videos) Show the world how your garden operates! We are looking for “behind the scenes” images of your team at work! Alternatively, share with us engaging, 2-to-3-minute video segments that demonstrate key practices at your institution. Highlight your ongoing conservation work, collections of management techniques, specialized educational programming, or unique greenhouse operations. 
   • Category 4: "Greetings from the Garden!" (30–60 Second Videos) Short, energetic video clips of your staff, volunteers, or visitors waving and giving a warm "hello" or welcoming message to the exhibit visitors.
     
     
2. Technical & Quality Requirements 
   To ensure our exhibit looks spectacular on digital or print displays in Yokohama, all submissions must meet the following high-quality standards: 
   
   Photo Requirements: 
   • Resolution: High-resolution only (minimum 300 dpi).
   • Size: Minimum 8" x 10", horizontal or vertical orientation.
   • Format: .JPG, .PNG, .TIFF, .EPS, .AI or Vector PDF high resolution files requested.
   • Editing: Please provide clean, un-watermarked images. Avoid heavy filters, text overlays, or artificial vignettes
     
     
3. Video Requirements:
   • Resolution: 1080p minimum; 4K highly preferred.
   • Format: MP4, AVI, MOV, FLV, and AVCHD
   • Orientation: 16:9 (Horizontal/Landscape) 
   • Audio: Natural background sound or verbal narration is great, but please do not add your own background music (to avoid copyright conflicts during the Expo). 
   • Text/Graphics: Footage must be "clean." Do not include any burned-in English text, logos, or captions. We need clean footage so we can accurately translate and subtitle the content for our Japanese-speaking audience.
     
     
4. Important: Permissions & Usage Rights 
   Because this content will be showcased internationally and promoted across multiple platforms, we require clear permissions for all submitted media. 
   By checking the boxes below in your submission form, you acknowledge and agree to the following: 
   
   [ ] Ownership & Authorization: I confirm that I am the original creator of this content, or I am an authorized representative of my organization with the express legal right to submit this media. 
   
   [ ] Model Releases: I confirm that my organization has obtained the necessary model releases or permissions for any recognizable individuals featured in the submitted photos or videos. 
   
   [ ] Usage Rights Granted: I grant the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) the non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, edit, and display these photos and videos. I understand this media may be used in physical exhibits, promotional materials, social media, and digital broadcasts, in perpetuity. Content will not be used for commercial purposes unless express permission is sought and granted. 
   
   [ ] Approvals: I acknowledge the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) have the final authority to determine how—or if—this media is used. 
   
   
5. Selection Criteria: Photos/Video Submission  
   1. Alignment with the U.S. Exhibit Story 
   Content should contribute to the overarching narrative of a “Pursuit of Happiness” and reflect the diversity, identity, and impact of American public gardens. Preference will be given to submissions that help tell a cohesive national story. 
    
   2. Representation of Public Garden Impact 
   Strong submissions will go beyond beauty alone and reflect the broader role of public gardens, including conservation, research, education, community engagement, and cultural connection. We are especially interested in content that shows gardens as active, meaningful places. 
    
   3. Visual and Narrative Strength 
   Selections will prioritize content that is visually compelling, clear, and engaging. This includes strong composition, authentic moments, and footage or imagery that translates well to large-scale, immersive exhibition environments. 
    
   4. Diversity of Places, People, and Perspectives 
   To reflect the full landscape of U.S. public gardens, consideration will be given to geographic diversity, garden type, scale of institution, and the range of people represented. This includes ensuring a mix of ecosystems, communities, and experiences. 
    
   5. Authenticity and Sense of Place 
   Content should feel real, grounded, and specific to your garden. We are looking for genuine moments, environments, and stories that convey what makes your garden unique and meaningful. 
     
   6. Technical Quality and Usability 
   All submissions must meet the technical requirements outlined in this call. Final selections will also consider how well content can be adapted for exhibit use, including integration into digital displays, translation, and editing needs. 
    
   7. Balance Across Categories 
   Final selections will be curated to ensure a balanced representation across all submission categories (Landscapes & Collections, Community & Connection, Public Gardens in Action, and “Greetings from the Garden”), as well as locations and sizes of gardens. 
    
   How to Submit 
   Ready to put your garden on the map? Gather your best shots and join the road trip! Applicants are limited to two entries per category per garden. In the case of multiple submissions, only the first two for each category will be considered.
    
   Application Opens: May 29th, 2026 
   Informational Webinar: June 25th at 4:00 p.m. EDT | Register Here 
   Application Deadline: July 31st, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. (23:59:59) EDT 
   Notification of Usage: January 2027 

IMPORTANT: Each image/video MUST be submitted individually. Please complete this form in its entirety for a single submission and you will be directed to the next image/video upload.

Photo/Video Credit:
Note, inclusion of photo or video credit may not be possible depending on assigned usage in the exhibit

Permission and Usage: 
Because this content will be showcased internationally and promoted across multiple platforms, we require clear permissions for all submitted media. Inclusion of photo or video credit can be difficult or impossible, depending on assigned usage in the exhibit.