Who plans on attending the WOC in Miami next year??
 

I was thinking of going down for the WOC Linnie, but I can't make definite plans yet. It would be nice to meet some OB members.

I'll let you know.

Marie

I will absolutely, positively be there...as long as I'm still alive ;) We'll be making a 3 or 4 day trip out of it so we can do some hanging out in and around Miami too :D

I love the idea of having an OB gathering :dance:

Great thread, Linnie...thanks :clap:

WOC next year
 

I know there was another thread somewhere about the upcoming WOC, but I couldn't find it. We have a few folks from Florida on this board, and I thought I would pick your brains.....
Basically I'm trying to see if I can justify the expense of flying to Miami for a week and need some options on relatively cheap accomodations. I'm willing to share rooms and expenses if I have to, but I'm not independently wealthy.........The earlier we make plans, the easier this would be. :scratchhead:

Hi Bill...
I've merged both threads into one which our members can find here in The Orchid Lounge.

Although I live in Florida, I'm very unfamiliar with the Miami area, it'll be a 5 1/2-6 hr drive for us to get there.
I will be checking into the lodgings available and I will keep this thread updated with any information I come across.

I love the idea of a bunch of OB members meeting at such a fantasic location!!!

I'd like to come if I can get the time away from here

I plan to be there - depends on their arrangements for out of country plant purchases (US to Canada), I am already saving! It would be great to have a bunch of us get together.

It's been 20 yrs since I was in Miami and a trip to Disney World would be in order too. Anyone know what amusement parks/roller coasters are near Miami?

Here is the WOC link:
WOC Home Page

There is also a brief entry in the OB Calendar:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...=2008-1-23&c=1

Dave, I'm sure the shipping question will be addressed. At the Redlands show, they had all the proper paperwork covered and inspectors on site. They are sure to have it covered :)

:cheer: It's gonna be great!!!

Here's a link for the official travel page of the WOC:

https://secure.traveleaders.com/clie...show/index.php

I'm planning on being there for the first day of sales and the show being open to the public...Weds 1/23/08.
We're going to make it a mini-vacation and stay at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 39 miles away :dance:

If anybody else is going to be there on Weds, let's set up a meeting! :dance: :dance: :dance:

I remember now, I stayed at the Amerisuites several times in Kendall, though I see they are in the $200 range now.

Here

is a good site to find house rentals. If several people went together, its going to be cheaper than getting a hotel room.
Vacation Rentals .com - Miami Florida Ocean Access - Miami River Villas

If I come across anything else, I'll be sure to post the info.

Another idea, the folks at the American Orchid Society might have come good suggestions. Palm Beach is only about an hour away..

Linnie...thanks for the great lodging info :clap:

Here's a link to the official WOC site:
WOC Home Page

If you look into the Travel & Tours section, you'll find they have a number of interesting tours available. The local growers tours should be phenomenal! I've been to RF Orchids in Homestead and it was a sight to behold :drool:

The growers tours are a full day tour covering stops at 3 area orchid growers and includes a lunch! I won't be going to any of them (it's enough that I'm getting hubby to go at all ;) ) but if any of you have the opportunity to go, I know you'll love it :)

I'm registered for the whole she-bang. I live about 1.5 hours from Miami, but will be staying in the hotel. Can't wait!

I'm gonna go too! Woot! I am soooo excited about it! I'm gonna take the plunge and stay for the whole week. I haven't been to Florida since I was very small.:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

:dance: I plan on spending the entire first day of the conference there...Weds 1/23/08, shuffling back and forth between the WOC and the festival being hosted by Dr Martin Motes :dance: :dance: :dance:

If anybody else will be there that first day, we've got to set up a meeting :banana:

Ohh yup! We need a OB meeting! It would be such a shame to fly out all that way and not get to see some OB folks! I don't know a gosh darn thing about Miami but I'm open to just about anything!

My husband and I will be spending that Tues & Weds night at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood Fl, which is around 39 miles away from the conference...gotta keep the man happy ;)

There is so much to do in the area...

Miami Seaquarium

Vizcaya Gardens

Monkey Jungle

Parrot Jungle

Fairchild Gardens

Bonnet House (wonderful orchid collection)

The Florida Keys are only about an hour away

The trouble with the hotel location is the horrible, horrible traffic in the a.m. If you want a tip from a local, go very early in the a.m. and stay until either 3:00 ish or until after rush hour traffic. When we went down to judge the Miami show this year, we left ridiculously early so we could avoid the commuters and it was worth it.

The convention hotel is still a short walk from the actual convention center, so bring an umbrella or a collapsible rainjacket...never know.

If you are going to drive, there is a fee to park. Not sure what it is...

This may be the last time WOC is here for a very long time...last time it was in USA was in 1984...in S Fla.

I can hardly wait--have been excited since they announced it six years ago! :)

Also, the AOS members meeting is at the same hotel the weekend prior. If you're interested in particpating in something like that, it will be part of the WOC proceedings.

Sounds like a blast, will be planning on making the WOC on Wednesday as it is now. Not sure if we will be staying over or just go back to where we have our boat docked in Ft. Pierce, 2 hour drive :cheer: It will be a blast to see our OB family. Would be perfect to meet on Wednesday.:cheer:

Cheryl...Weds is the day I'll be roaming around too!
:dance: :dance: :dance:

Rhonda...thanks for the local info :clap: :clap: :clap:
We'll be staying 39 miles away and some folks have
warned me about the traffic there too :(

Hi all, I live about 30 mins away, will have to see what its all about. Are the prices high or are the reasonable? Hope to meet some of you nice folks!:Tup:

Hmm, I have family that live in Palm Beach...maybe I should consider going and crashing with the fam?

I don't want to put down $250 for registration...but I was wondering what about the $20/day thing? What is everyone else thinking? I'm not a judge or anything, so I don't really think I'd dig the meetings and such... :scratchhead:

Might be more within my budget...and besides! All I really wanna do is see all the 'chids available for me to take home! :evil:

There are two different one day registrations...one gets you into just the show, one gets you into the speaker events as well as the show.

The speaker schedule is posted on their website, you could take a look. Some people down here are going for one day of each and spending the night.

I'm going only for the show for one day...opening day on Weds. $20.00 for that and I'll split the day between the WOC and the festival that Dr Martin Motes has scheduled with shuttle buses available between the two venues.
Should be one HECK of a day! :banana: :banana: :banana:

:biggrin: I want to go too. :cheer: I live up here in NJ so it should not be that hard to make it down there. I will probably take 1 week of vacation and will be at the show on opening day and go sight seeing for the rest. :cheer:

Here's the link to their official web site:

19WOCEntry

Maria, the site has a section with "Things To Do"...there are a number of bus tours set up which include stops at 3 or 4 orchid growers in the area. You're sure to find something to do :)

If any of you have the opportunity to make a stop at RF Orchids for a tour...two words... DO IT!
The place is a wonderland and you will never forget your visit there. The only problem is that now I judge all others by what I saw at RF :drool:

Thank you Susanne. I will surly make time to see them. It will be an orchid vacation all the way. I am so excited.:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: I did not even know that the orchid conference will be here in the states till I saw this thread. I will be putting away some extra cash for this trip. Looks like I am going to need it.

im not going

me niether

http://www.mytractorforum.com/images/smilies/Disgus.gif

Ok, even tho I'm debating going, and also debating drive vs. flying...then the news came on and they were reporting how to find cheap flights! Yay! I didn't find anything to Miami for where I am, but maybe some other orchid lovers will...
When airfares are low, we'll let you know!