Each year on the third Friday and Saturday of March, the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of The American Hosta Society hosts a gathering of approximately 500 enthusiastic gardeners from the Midwest and other parts of the US, Canada, and even Europe. This gathering which began in 1993 is called Hosta College, and it takes place in Piqua, Ohio.

This annual meeting normally occurs in January and it is a function of the Midwest Regional Hosta Society.  It is a day long series of programs aimed at discussing a wide range of hosta related topics. Although the name of the activity has the word "Scientific" in it, there are many sessions aimed at the general hosta gardener too. For many years, the program was held in a suburb of Chicago but the 2020 meeting is in Milwaukee, WI.

Sponsored by the Western New York Hosta Society, the Fall Hosta Forum is an annual program features speakers, vendors, auctions and camaraderie.