Yandrosxx

Well, now both the Ginko Awards And Kokufu select the trees that are actually entered in the Exhibition. That would certainly help on the logistics of shipping multiple trees if you knew you were only bringing one or two. (Are there specialty carriers that could transport the trees better? Does anyone know what the cost would actually be? Could that be factored into the costs?)

Granted, we're not here yet, but in Japan owners pay the transport shipping costs to send the trainer and the material to the show. So, assuming the incentives right, people might actually pony up to come. (I wouldn't expect the first year's event to be a blow out).

I also think the notion of doing a really top notch regional show would be the way to start. Of course, it could be left open to persons from far away that wanted to participate.

The event could also be held on a rotating location basis as many conferences for other subject matters currently are.

What's the lure though? What would people really want in a world class show? How do you motivate the US bonsai community?

(I also know some pretty egotistical hermits who come out of the cave every so often just to show off but really don't want anyone to know).

I agree about the present state of affairs, but I believe you have to build prestige first and then the hermits will be more interested in being a part of it. Something Honorable . . . not publicity, not just recognition. That's no more attractive to me than it is to anyone else.

Nevertheless, Westminster started somewhere.