Mark your calendar.
Aug 24-25, 2012
18th IPA SYMPOSIUM SET
FOR 2012
Orlando, Florida Beckons You
By Frank Smith and Carlos Fighetti
Following the resounding success of our Symposium
in Ontario, California, two years ago, the International
Phalaenopsis Alliance Annual Symposium is now a two-day event. It
will encompass plant entries for ribbon & AOS judging, a Preview
Party, speakers, workshops and the all-important Color Fund auction
and luncheon. This change, from a 3-day to a 2-day event, gives the
registrants a more focused schedule of events by ending on Saturday
at 6 PM. The traditional 3rd day, which has been Sunday,
has been freed-up for Registrants to either have impromptu sessions,
take the opportunity to visit local nurseries in the area or spend
the day with Mickey & Minnie at Disney World.
Each year the IPA holds its Symposium in different
parts of the world, and we have not held one on the East Coast in
several years. So when
the IPA approached us for ideas for a venue, Frank Smith of Krull-Smith
Orchids suggested the convenience of a hotel in the Orlando, Florida
area which has very effectively hosted other orchid symposia in the
past. Orlando is a world
vacation destination where registrants can take advantage of the
many attractions in the area. It’s also a convenient central base
from which to travel to nurseries both north and south.
Rental car rates from the airport are also more reasonable
for those who wish to spend the week traveling around the state, and
many rental companies do not have a “drop-off charge” if you return
the car at a different airport in the state.
The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel will serve as our
headquarters, offering a
shuttle service to and from the airport and a very attractive $69
per night room rate for a single or
double, a rate which they are generously extending to two days
before and two after the event.
The meeting rooms are quite spacious, and the guest rooms are
comfortable. In addition
to dining facilities at the hotel itself, the city boasts a
multitude of fine restaurants, several of which are close to the
host hotel.
Registration forms and additional information will
be forthcoming both in the IPA Journal and on our website
www.phal.org.
We’re working on the budget and are hoping to keep the
Registration Fee for the entire event to around $100 or less per IPA
registrant, which includes Friday’s light supper and Saturday’s
continental breakfast, luncheon and afternoon coffee break.
The IPA is extremely proud to announce that our
Keynote Speaker will be Mr. Chen-Chung Chen, owner of Mainshow
Orchids in Taiwan. Mr. Chen
is well known for his breeding program on Phalaenopsis species and
primary hybrids which he sells through his orchid company.
He has been growing and
propagating Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum species and hybrids for
over 30 years. In addition,
Mr. Chen, a TOGA judge, has served as the Judging Chair of the
prestigious Taiwan International Orchid Show from 2008 to 2011.
He is also the current
president of the Taiwan Paphiopedilum Society.
The subject of his talk will
be “Improving on the Basics: Phalaenopsis Species and Primary
Hybrids”
Our new Symposium format will begin at 9 AM Friday
morning with the entry of show plants for ribbon and AOS judging.
Ribbon judging will commence at 2 PM, followed by AOS
Judging.
Friday evening will present a new direction for
the Symposium, with the Sales/Exhibit Area opening for the first
time to Registrants from 5-7 PM for the Preview Party, giving
registrants first crack at the sales tables!
The Preview Party will also include a light buffet of cold
and hot hors-d’oeuvres, salad and fruit plus a cash bar.
At 7 PM, our first speaker, Frank Smith, owner of Krull-Smith
Orchids in Apopka, Florida, will give us an overview of the
hybridizing program of his company.
This will be followed by a roundtable discussion that he will
lead with a special focus on new breeding directions in Phalaenopsis
in the US. The evening
will also provide a great opportunity for everyone to get to know
each other by sharing their questions and experiences on this topic.
Saturday’s schedule will present a full day of
events beginning at 8 AM with a continental breakfast and the
re-opening of the Sales Area.
At 9:30 AM our Keynote Speaker, Mr. Chen-Chung Chen will give
his presentation, followed by two break-out workshops.
As with previous Symposiums, the workshops can focus on
topics ranging from Greenhouse or In-Home Culture to Hybridizing,
Judging Award Quality Flowers, or other topics of interest from the
registrants.
Our Recognition Luncheon will follow the morning
session with our “never-dull auction”, featuring plants and
Phal-related items donated by the vendors and our always-generous
members, the proceeds of which will help support the Journal’s Color
Fund.
Saturday’s afternoon session will feature our
third speaker, Dr. David McDaniel of Orchid Classics, from Virginia
Beach, Virginia. Since he is
currently operating one of the best orchid laboratories in the US,
he will share his extensive knowledge of phal hybridizing and
methods for producing new plantlets.
For several years, David has generously donated flasks of
some of his newest hybrids for our auctions, all of them
representing intriguing and cutting-edge breeding directions – each
one garnering huge bids to help support the Color Fund.
We will formally end the day, and the Symposium,
at 5 PM but, as has become tradition, those wishing to join others
for dinner Saturday night will be able to sign up for this during
the day. This
post-Symposium dinner has proven to be a wonderful way to end the
event, giving everyone an opportunity to kick back and relax, share
what they’ve learned, and get to know other members better.
We’re expecting record attendance at this event so
early registration and hotel reservations are highly recommended.
For those in the AOS judging program, this event will also
qualify for credit in their continuing education.
And for those who simply want to become better growers and
learn more from others, it’s an ideal opportunity to expand your
knowledge of Phalaenopsis and collect great new ideas for improving
your culture.
We look forward to what promises to be a great
Symposium – and to seeing everyone in Orlando in August!
