Pacific Orchid Exposition

TreeBay

This past weekend, Kathy and I attended the Pacific Orchid Exposition at Fort Mason in San Francisco. I was amazed by how much this event contrasted with your typical bonsai show or convention, for that matter.

1. There was a media flurry in advance of the event. I saw articles and ads in the newspaper and even radio and television coverage of the event. In contrast to bonsai events, which sometimes grab a two-liner in the local paper of the city in which they are held.

2. When we arrived at the orchid expo, there was a swarm of folks milling about and even standing in line for tickets at $11 a pop. The parking was free, but there was little to be had.

3. When we entered the hall it seemed as if every other person had a camera. There were folks with point & shoots, video cameras, even a couple dozen with tripods and flash units. The strange thing was, no one was roughing up these folks and asking for credentials and family lineage. There were no signs that said "NO PHOTOS, PLEASE" Heck, I didn't even see a sign that said "PLEASE DON'T TOUCH" not that anyone was touching, for that matter.

4. No one tried to coerce me into buying a raffle ticket the whole time I was there. No one was hitting up the vendors for raffle donations, either.

5. I didn't see anyone running around looking officious in orchid Happi coats or Chilean orchid collecting loincloths, for that matter. These people had on street clothes!

6. Half the stadium-sized floor was designated to orchid sales and people were buying these things like they were going out of style. No one was moaning about the price of fertilizer and the cost of bark at this show, nossiree. They were buying so much stuff they had a coat check area the size of many club shows so people could stow their stuff whilst admiring the show.

7. I was there for a few hours on Sunday, and the whole time I don't recall any orchid masters being compelled to demonstrate how an orchid could be converted into a stunning masterpiece in under 60 minutes using basic tools and wire with the help of a trained assistant.

Attached Images

yellow_orchid.jpg (29.9 KB, 89 views)

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Adam_MA

Sounds like a good time Matt. That picture you posted is breathtaking! Any more?


Adam

Lesley

Is there a message here for how we run our conventions and shows? Similar to Walter and Andy's threads and opinions? IMHO, Orchids are one of nature's masterpieces!

Lesley

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