Super bummed about going to my first orchid show

[Bulbofett]

There were only 3 vendors there which was my major gripe. I also felt a little discriminated against, which I guess I can kinda understand looking at it from their perspective. Being a 25 year old who is interested in orchids must not be something they are used to seeing.

I waited and waited for one of the vendors to come and help me, but he skipped right over me and helped the older couple standing beside me. Then he became shocked after I rattled off a species I recognized. Lady was trying to ask him what it was, and I cheerfully chimed in. He talked to me for about 20 min after that lol.

I did buy 2 because I did drive 2 hours just to go to it. An album if you want to check out some of the blooms. Friend of mine took the pics. I was way too interested in the sale tables. Orchid Show Columbia, SC - Imgur

I brought home a Dendrobium love memory fizz, and a SLC. little hazel 'red jewel'. Both are in bloom right now

You'd think living in a semi-tropical climate would mean plenty of orchid shows to choose from. How disappointing that the Northeast has a better selection! HUMPH

[NYCorchidman]

I hate that when that happens. Preconceived ideas on younger shoppers. lol

Wow, 3 vendors after driving for 2 hours? I would have been bummed out as well. haha

It sounds like you got beautiful plants from the show, though.

That dendrobium is among my all time favorite plants ever!!! so pretty and so fragrant!

Enjoy them~

[Bulbofett]

It is SUPER fragrant! I think it was Randomgemini that had one, and I pined for it lol. When I saw it at the show it was my first purchase.

2 hours though definitely didn't feel worth my time. I don't think I'll go back next year unless I have some specimens to enter

I'll be going to the show at the end of this month in Savannah, GA. I looked at their vendor list (yeah the show I went to today didn't have a vendor list either!) and they have quite a few vendors I'm interested in purchasing from. Another 2 hours drive though.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Just 3 vendors?? SC has at least 5 vendors listed on Orchidwire!! There are others not far away in NC and GA. Maybe it's conflicts with other shows nearby?

Let the show organizers know how you felt about the experience. Maybe they will be inclined to do a better job next year.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

There are many vendors in North Carolina and South Carolina; it could be that this show doesn’t get advertised enough to bring in a buying crowd so making the show less desirable for vendors.

I would send them a review of what you thought of the show.

[Bulbofett]

Thanks guys! I'll be sure to send in a review in the hopes they improve. There are vendors in SC, but only 1 in my town, and only 1 show for the entire state. Very limited options when it comes to orchids unless I want to drive 3+ hours to go to a greenhouse upstate. That's why I went to the show, in hopes there would be a multitude of vendors to choose from. Looks like the Savannah, GA show should be a good one so I'm not worried.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

There were only 3 vendors there which was my major gripe.

When someone asked for a vendor list for the show on the orchid society's FB page and didn't get an answer, that was probably a bad sign.

[Leafmite]

In the four orchid societies in this region (Cleveland, Strongsville, Akron Ohio and Pittsburgh Pa), I see members that are younger, some are even teenagers, helping with the shows. My kids have helped me for our show for the past couple of years (they are all younger than you). So, I find it rather astonishing that you were treated in this manner. One would think that experience mattered more than age and how can any vendor know how much experience a person has? You might have grown up around plants/orchids, work in a greenhouse, or even be an expert! Nuts!
I'm sorry that they had so few vendors. What a disappointment! Are you certain there isn't a better orchid society or show in the area? I would think there would have to be!

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

When someone asked for a vendor list for the show on the orchid society's FB page and didn't get an answer, that was probably a bad sign.

Yeah I saw that, but they don't even update their club website so I figured it wasn't anything to be worried about. Guess I was completely wrong lol.

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I'm sorry that they had so few vendors. What a disappointment! Are you certain there isn't a better orchid society or show in the area? I would think there would have to be!

Yes I've checked the AOS event page as well as the Coastal Carolina event page. The closest upcoming show is going to be in Savannah. I was going to go to Atlanta, but driving 6hrs just didn't end up sounding appealing to me

The only orchid vendor in my town is John's Island Orchids, but he has a full time day job so trying to make an appointment to go and see his greenhouse has been unsuccessful. I understand orchids are not his primary income though.

[WhiteRabbit]

There are a couple orchid societies near me that both have small shows, "vendor plants" being provided by only a couple-three vendors who aren't on site - but have lots of society member plants for sale, so always good stuff to be found!

But, that said, I don't have to drive two hours to get to the shows, either (more like 15 minutes)