Orchid Show(s) Question

[stonedragonfarms]

Hello all,

It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been settling from my move and not been around much. I have an odd question about orchid shows, I'm hoping perhaps I can get a cross sampling of views from different parts of the country (US). I need to state that I'm not going to disclose where I currently am, as I need semi-unbiased information...

It has been suggested to me that the way shows are put on here, neighboring societies are generally not invited to set up displays; the only displays at shows are those of the host society, its members and the vendors... I can not recall one show that I have ever been to where this was the case, aside from a tropical plant show where there was no judging--it was more of an exhibition. I am talking AOS-sanctioned shows, not those which are judged by garden societies, master gardeners, etc.

Can you all please weigh in for me? I'm sort of left scratching my head on this one...

Thanks!
Adam

[RJSquirrel]

with an ever dwindling orchid society population, it doesnt make sense not to have other society's set up tables for exhibition judging etc etc. So if your society doesnt want or doesnt invite other close by society's to join in, then your local society needs to learn how to be more sociable. Its all for fun isnt it? I have seen a few take the joy out of it for the many. I would join another society close by and let the ones who refuse to open the doors stay where they are at and stagnate. Why would one society not want to encourage another is beyond me but seems to happen on occasion due to the feuding by the members.

joy killers are everywhere and they dont even care that they kill yer joy besides its hard to compete with old retired folks with not a damn thing to do and a load of money

[Olivia]

That sounds off to me too. Of the AOS judged shows I've been to other societies have always been invited and frequently promote each others shows.

I'm not sure I would want to join a group like that. If they pointedly exclude other societies how great can they be to their members?

[silken]

It sounds off to me too. I live in Saskatchewan (on the Canadian prairies) and our society has about 60 members.Our city is a bit small to have an annual show. However two larger cities in Alberta (our neighboring province) both have annual shows at different times of the year. They always welcome visiting societies and we always have a display at both shows. There is always an award for best visiting society display as well. We are so thankful that this happens as its really our only chance to have AOS judges view our orchids and a good chance to attend and do pre-orders to some of the vendors from out of country and within. I always figure the more orchids and orchid people the merrier!

[silken]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

joy killers are everywhere and they dont even care that they kill yer joy besides its hard to compete with old retired folks with not a damn thing to do and a load of money

Hey RJSquirrel, I am retired (although not too old) and don't have a lot of money and try to spread joy wherever I go! Because I am retired, I now have time to be on our orchid society's executive and help bring in supplies for all of us and help keep our society running smoothly. Didn't have time for that kind of stuff while working. And there are not enough hours in the day for me Just thought you would like to know we're not all cranky old farts

[gnathaniel]

We always have 3-5 nearby 'sister' societies that come set up displays; we usually display at their shows, too. Between those, our own display, and those of 8-10 vendors it makes for a really beautiful and diverse show. I'm not sure what would be gained by excluding other societies...

--Nat

[glengary54]

I think we shouldn't be so quick to judge and make pronouncements not knowing all the circumstances. There could be any number of reasons why a Society doesn't invite or societies to be part of their Show. One could be a lack of space another could be lack of interest or ability by the other local societies. Here in Florida there are Shows that have only vendor displays and at least one Show where the hosting Society and my Society are the only societies represented, not because of some issue or problem but because there is no interest on the part of other societies. There are some societies whose membership is made up entirely of very elderly members who no longer wish to physically push themselves or are able to.

Would it be nice if all Shows were on a grand scale and every Society in the surrounding area was involved, absolutely but we don't live in an ideal world and just like life in general, it is what it is.

With out knowing the reason for this particular Society's dicision not to involve other societies, I for one will withhold judgement. If however this particular Society has placed themselves on a pedastal and feel that they are better than the other surrounding Societies, I would find another society to call my orchid home. Just my

[msaar]

In presenting an AOS judged show, a Society agrees to comply with certain requirements, including the following from the AOS Handbook on Judging and Exhibition:
5.6.1.1 Requirements

(1) For a show to qualify it must be open to the public (not necessarily without
charge) and open to all exhibitors who agree to comply with the rules established by
the show committee and insofar as space allows.
That aside, we are in a much less densely populated area of the country. The nearest society is 140 miles, and we are more than happy for anyone who will comply with the rules to exhibit.

[Olivia]

Originally Posted by glengary54

With out knowing the reason for this particular Society's dicision not to involve other societies, I for one will withhold judgement.

I think this is a good point. There is a huge difference between purposefully excluding other societies and simply not making a production of inviting others if they are unlikely to come for a variety of reasons.

[tucker85]

We were talking about this very point at our orchid society meeting a couple days ago. At least one show stopped inviting nearby orchid societies because of lack of interest and participation. They don't want to dedicate space that doesn't wind up being used.
I know other smaller shows that just don't have enough space. They certainly don't want to turn away vendors to make room for orchid societies.