Super bummed about going to my first orchid show

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Just 3 vendors?? SC has at least 5 vendors listed on Orchidwire!!

Isn't one of them a big, big name in orchids?

[nikkik]

It's like I wrote your post myself. My first show was just as far as yours, about the same amount of vendors and I felt shunned a bit based on age. I'm sorry you had that experience.

To make myself feel better, later that year I went to the SEPOS show when it was still at Longwood Gardens. It was fantastic. And since then most shows have been better then my first. I hope this doesn't put you off and your experiences at shows get much better.

[Optimist]

living in a small town, it is a three hour drive each way to get to either an actual orchid nursery, or an orchid society.

[Paul]

Nikki, was that first show you referred to AA's? Last's year's AA show was the first good one that society has ever had, IME. (Looking forward to the East Lansing show in a couple of weeks. )

Don't blame you a bit for being disappointed, Keris, I would have been too. The show up by my folks place is like that. If I'm in town visiting them when that show is on, I'll go to it. But I would never drive up there just to attend it (about a 3.5 hr drive).

Fortunately there are several other shows in my state that are quite good -- even if they are a bit of a drive.

[NYCorchidman]

sounds like a dysfunctional organization you got there! lol

Well, the good news is that you probably will enjoy great orchid shopping in GA in the near future!!!

[Cym Ladye]

Now that you have had this less than enjoyable experience at a small show, I would highly encourage you make direct contact with local vendors. Build a relationship with them by phone or email and let them know you are a serious collector. Shows are for the less knowledgeable buyers for the most part in my opinion and high quality plants/species usually stay in the greenhouses for the more discerning buyers.

CL

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by Paul

Nikki, was that first show you referred to AA's? Last's year's AA show was the first good one that society has ever had, IME. (Looking forward to the East Lansing show in a couple of weeks. )

No, my first orchid show was when I lived in North Carolina. We drove two hours to get to the show, it rained the whole drive, we had to pay an admission fee, and there were very few displays or vendors.

I've been to AA's the past few years and it put my first show to shame! Lol!

[FSUOrchids]

This is why I like living here in FL...we have a lot of orchid growers outside of the city in Apopka, and it's about 4 hours from Homestead, which is where the highest concentration of orchid growers in the country is, as far as I can tell. We have two orchid societies that are both pretty close to one another here in Orlando also.

[james mickelso]

Sheesh!!! I feel so blessed to live here in SoCal. We have lots of clubs and shows. There was an orchid show this weekend up in The OC, another is coming up in San Diego soon, then there is the Santa Barbara Orchid Show coming soon also. My club will have their annual orchid auction in May and a few hrs north of here are a dozen or so orchid growers. Sheesh I'm lucky!!!!

[katrina]

Too bad about the way you were treated. I know that at some shows the vendors can get quite backed up if it's crowded but to shun you because you look younger...not good. I've never been witness to that sort of thing...not at any of the shows I've been to or been involved in. Too bad.

As for the small number of vendors...there could be a whole host of reasons for that. Bad planning, small site, conflicts w/other shows, etc, etc, etc. As a board member of the local club, I say definitely give feedback...hearing from the show goers is the only way the club knows what's working and what might need improvement. Feedback is invaluable.

Our OS has had both large and small numbers of vendors. Our lowest year was a couple of years ago when we had only 3 pro vendors, our club sale table and one of our members had a table...and the reason we had so few pros was because our show lined up w/some other biggie shows for the region. It's just the way it worked out and so some of our regular vendors were off at other shows.

The funny thing about it...it worked out to be a great show and the vendors that did make it were very pleased because their sales were better than they'd had in a few years at our Spring show. Less comp = each sold more. The Pros had some of the more...what I call "collectors" orchids...our club sales table had more of the in bloom and "ordinary" stuff that appeals to those people just looking for pretty blooming orchid and our club member's table had a nice mix of both.

With that said...and even though our small show was a success...I always like going to shows where there is a LOT of vendors and a huge selection.

AOS member or not...you can go to their website and access the calendar of events...that'll give you a list of all shows in your areas of the country. Florida has some super big ones...Redlands being a monster w/a ton of vendors including many from outside the country. Also, check the Mid America Orchid Congress site for their Spring and Fall shows each year...another great way to access other country vendors and some really great plant selections.

BTW - for anyone in the Central OH area...COOS (my OS - Central Ohio Orchid Society) is hosting the Fall Mid-America this year. Put it on your calendar...November 6th and 7th! When we have more of the details nailed down I make a posting w/a link to the site for all the info.