HOUSTON FAQs

This FAQ is always in progress to answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to us at info@plantcon.org if there’s anything you see missing below!

  • Our next PlantCon Houston event is May 31st - June 1st at NRG Center.

  • Tickets are available to purchase on our website, click here!

  • Yes! Children 10 and under can join the event for FREE when accompanied by an adult.

    We kindly ask that any children visiting PlantCon be accompanied by an adult at all times.

    We look forward to seeing you and your family at the event!

    • NRG does not allow pets unless they are Registered Service Animals.

    • Houston Botanic Garden does not allow pets unless they are Registered Service Animals.

  • YES! PlantCon is BYOW— Bring Your Own Wagon. We have spacious 12-foot aisles to accommodate your Plantmobile.

    Also welcomed: bins and boxes!

  • Parking is NOT included.

    Parking is priced at NRG’s discretion, and unfortunately, our team does not have any control over it.

    Want to save on parking?

    Check out this site for information on other parking options!

  • Yes! Each vendor can share their booth with one other business, please email us at join@plantcon.org for more information.

    Both businesses must be registered on our portal.

  • PlantCon came from a group of passionate community leaders organizing small plant meetups throughout Houston’s parking lots for the past several years. Just by relentlessly doing what we love and continually uplifting our community, we came to be sponsored and incorporated by the City of Houston– which was BEYOND our wildest dreams. This really opened our eyes to the value of our work and the care that we put into what we do, and we thought about how an even larger community (we’re talking international) could benefit from what we’re trying to build. By this point, we’d already invested tens of thousands of our own dollars and countless hours into what we created, and to scale internationally would be an impossible feat if it came out of pocket the same way. This became a major consideration during the legal formation of PlantCon and why we became a non-profit in order to continue pursuing our vision by enabling corporate giving.

  • Yes! PlantCon was officially recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit as of May 1, 2024. You can view our parent organization’s Letter of Determination here. 

  • Yes, we do! Non-profits still pay their employees and staff members just like a regular business so that they can continue to put out their best work for the benefit of the public!

    Tired and underpaid staff wouldn’t be able to perform their best quality work or dedicate substantial time and energy into serving the community.

  • With Heart was formed as the parent company to our multiple non-profits which pursue different missions within the community. Rather than forming a non-profit for each individual branch, it’s much more financially feasible to create a parent entity, and file different assumed names under which the other branches will operate.

    All branches are subject to the exact same legal standards as the parent organization and this common method of formation does not change in any way how each branch must operate to be classified as a legal non-profit.

  • We’d love for you to support PlantCon by purchasing a ticket and attending, copping some cute merch, or developing a sponsorship package.

    If you’d just like to make a donation in-kind, we do accept them at plantcon.org/donations.

    If you’d like to support us by sponsoring specific costs, please email us at sponsor@plantcon.org

Code of Conduct

PlantCon is an event open to all ages and to communities of all backgrounds. The following policies are in place to ensure the health, safety, and enjoyment of all participants of PlantCon. Bringing people together from all parts of the plant community is part of our core mission and this Code of Conduct is to specify rules and policies for all persons attending PlantCon including vendors, volunteers, attendees, event staff, speakers, special guests, contractors, and all other individuals (“All Persons”) to follow. This Code of Conduct is to be adhered to at all times as a condition for participation in and admittance to PlantCon being held April, 2024 at NRG Center in Houston, TX as well as any offsite event sponsored by PlantCon International, including but not limited to the Pre-Party and Closing Reception. “Management” herein used within the Code of Conduct refers to With Heart, PlantCon International, and its authorized representatives. 


Tickets/Passes 

All attendees must check in before entering PlantCon and display official event credentials at all times. Tickets are required for all attendees, children 10 years old and under are welcome to attend for free with a Children’s Ticket when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Children 10 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at PlantCon and PlantCon sponsored events. Children will be given a wristband and the adult will be asked to write their phone number on the wristband. Unaccompanied children will be escorted to the door and we will call their accompanying adult to come collect them. Tickets are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

Tickets and passes can be obtained online or at the door. 


Behavior

Our goal for PlantCon is to have a welcoming environment for our community. We ask All Persons to conduct themselves with respect and courtesy towards others and in compliance with NRG Park policies, as well as local and state rules and regulations. Any activity that is a nuisance, danger to others, harassment, abuse, profane, disruptive, or disorderly will not be tolerated. Harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, physical appearance, or other characteristics is prohibited.

Compliance with the Law

All Persons must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders of governmental authorities as a condition of their admission and continued participation at PlantCon.


Limitations of Liability

All Persons accept all risks associated with participating in all events associated with PlantCon. All Persons hereby WAIVES and RELEASES Management from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, losses, expenses, penalties, or costs of any kind for or related to any and all personal or bodily injury, illness, exposure to COVID-19 and any other communicable or infectious disease, disability, death, or loss, damage, or destruction of any property, caused by, resulting from, or arising out of attending or participating in the event, even if caused in part by the negligence of Management. Any claims made in connection with the event shall be subject to Texas law and brought individually in Harris County, Texas. All Persons acknowledge that Management shall not be liable for indirect, consequential or punitive damages.

Pets/Animals 

Pets and other animals are prohibited at PlantCon without prior approval by Management. An exception will be made for documented, and authorized service animals. 

Smoking/Vaping/Tobacco:

 Smoking, vaping, and use of smokeless tobacco or cannabis products is prohibited.

Violations

Any violation of this Code of Conduct, as deemed by the discretion of Management, is grounds for removal and barring of all PlantCon and With Heart events. 

  • Children

    All children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 during all PlantCon related events. Any unaccompanied children under the age of 14 will be escorted to the ticketing area to wait for a parent or guardian to accompany the child. Age restrictions at off premise PlantCon activities (such as Pre-Party or Closing Reception) will be subject to the policies of private establishments in accordance with local and state rules and regulations.

    Bag Policy

    All events at NRG park are subject to NRG Park rules. Backpacks and large bags are not permitted without inspection. Necessary diaper bags and medical bags are also subject to inspection before or after entry.

    Food and Beverage

    All events at NRG Park are subject to convention center rules: For the safety concerns of patrons, NRG Park may refuse entry of individuals in possession of prohibited items including, but not limited to: sealed packages of any kind, bottles or cans, coolers or containers, outside food or beverage (Exceptions are made for medical reasons and children)

    Pets/Animals

    Pets are not allowed at NRG. Service animals are allowed with documentation.

    See more, here.

  • Pets/Animals

    Service animals are allowed with registration at the Welcome Pavilion; please leave pets – as well as emotional support, assistance, or companion animals – at home.

    Food/Bevarages

    Visitors may enjoy their own food in the Picnic Grove just outside the gate, or in Charlton Park next to the entrance on Park Place Blvd. No grills or fires are allowed on Garden property. No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the Garden. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Water bottle fillers are available in the Garden.

    Children

    For their safety, please supervise children at all times.

    See more, here.