INFORMATION   A World Orchid Conference is undoubtedly the most significant and the largest regular event in the international orchid calendar. It is a long way from being simply a "conference" which, in all fairness, is perhaps something of a misnomer.  A WOC is a combination of a number of elements, each one having as much relevance as any other.  Every WOC, which extends over 5 or 6 days, will incorporate . . . An Orchid Show Very much the "public face" of any WOC, and certainly its most important feature for the majority of visitors.  Usually the largest Show in the international orchid calendar, typically with 80 to 100 or more exhibitors from around the world, representing every orchid interest - decorative displays of plants by amateur Orchid Societies and by professional and commercial growers; educational and scientific displays of plants and illustrations; displays of fine, applied and decorative arts featuring orchids (botanical illustration, photography, jewellery, ceramics and glass, badges and postage stamps to name but a few). Display by Singapore Botanic Garden at 14th WOC, Glasgow, Scotland, 1993 photo © Bob Campbell click on photo to enlarge in new window A WOC Show offers real benefits beyond the orchid community.  It is a significant attraction to the local community, being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most.  It is also a valuable tourist attraction, drawing visitors from far afield; at the 1993 WOC in Glasgow, Scotland, several people flew in for the day from various parts of Europe. Orchid Sales Plant sales is an essential and integral feature of any Orchid Show.  Whether as full-time Registrants or day visitors, for the many orchid growers attending a WOC it is an unrivalled "buying opportunity", given the presence of so many top-class orchid nurseries from literally all around the world.  Sales are by no means limited solely to plants, but include all manner of orchid-related items - books, illustrations, ceramics and glassware, to name but a few. . . . with the following available only to Registrants . . . Judging With so many orchids gathered under one roof, and in many ways the world's best, a competitive element is inevitable.  For plants, international teams of judges award gold, silver and bronze medals on the basis of intrinsic quality, ribbons for comparative quality within a wide range of competitive classes, and trophies for winners of groups of classes, with a Grand Champion Plant.  For the Show's exhibits, the judges award ribbons and trophies for comparative quality, also culminating in the Grand Champion Exhibit.  Further awards are made to Arts exhibits. Medal awarded at 13th WOC, Auckland, New Zealand, 1990 photo © 1990 World Orchid Conference Proceedings Trust click on photo to enlarge in new window All those who are qualified orchid judges in their own countries are eligible, indeed most welcome, to apply to judge at a WOC.  They must, however, also be Registrants.  In judging terms a WOC is by far the most significant event in the global orchid calendar, and in fact some orchid enthusiasts come to a WOC just to take part in the judging. A Lecture Programme In practice, a WOC incorporates two or three separate lecture programmes running concurrently over three to four days.  Each covers a different interest group - one scientific, one slanted towards the orchid hobbyist, one for the large number of specialist interests (e.g. in a particular genus or group of genera) which are a feature of the international orchid world.  It would be fair to say that the combination of breadth, depth, quality and novelty of subject matter, and of the national and international reputations of the lecturers, are unequalled in any other forum. Given that English is by far the language best understood by WOC participants, simultaneous translation into English is provided where lectures are delivered in another language.  Although very much an international event, one particular and endearing flavour of any WOC is that the balance in its Lecture Program will reflect the special orchid interests of its host country or region. SLC  Maricana 'Fire Star' at the 12th WOC, Tokyo, Japan, 1987 photo © Joyce Stewart click on photo to enlarge in new window Business of the WOC A WOC will bring together more members of several international bodies than any other international gathering.  It has therefore become regular practice for meetings of a number of such organisations to be built into WOC programme. These organisations fall into two groups, the first of which are concerned primarily with the business of WOCs.  This naturally includes meetings of the WOC Trust, its Site Selection Committee (appointed by the Trustees 2-3 months before the WOC to evaluate progress and bids for future Conferences), and the Resolutions Committee (an ad hoc committee appointed by the Trustees to propose resolutions for consideration at the WOC's closing ceremony).  Of equal importance is the International Orchid Commission and its committees; the IOC has met at every WOC since 1957.  Anyone who would like to become involved in the IOC's discussions on taxonomy, nomenclature and registration, the Handbook and conservation is invited to contact the IOC Chairman - currently Mr Peter Furniss, email . Meetings of International Organisations Every WOC's host is very well aware of the importance to the orchid community of other international bodies, and kindly provide facilities and programme slots for their meetings.  By far the most significant of these is the Orchid Specialist Group (Species Survival Commission, IUCN).  Other international specialist organisations, such as the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, the Odontoglossum Alliance and the Pleurothallid Alliance, may also meet at a WOC, and may well be closely involved in planning certain parts of the Lecture Programme. A display of Cymbidium  hybrids photo © Joyce Stewart click on photo to enlarge in new window A Social Programme An important aspect of any international orchid event is the opportunity to socialise, renew acquaintances and - yes - even take a break from the orchids.  This is taken very much to heart by WOC organisers.  As a consequence, an Opening Reception and a closing Conference Banquet are traditionally held at each "end" of a WOC, with one intervening evening devoted to a "national night" reflective of the host country's culture and traditions.  Various day-time tours - half-day or full-day - are also organised thoughout the Conference to revive Registrants and relieve their accompanying non-orchid partners.  Typically these will include visits to local historic and cultural sites, vineyard tours, beauty spots, etc., as well as to orchid nurseries. Pre- and Post-Conference Tours A small number of tours, which may be anywhere between a day and one or two weeks' duration immediately before or after the Conference, may be pre-booked by Registrants.  These will normally be orchid-oriented, and to more distant venues than the in-Conference day tours - possibly requiring air travel, and sometimes outside the host country.  Typically they will comprise field trips in the wild, visits to nature/orchid reserves, private collections, botanic gardens, and the like. A display of soft-caned Dendrobium  hybrids photo © Joyce Stewart click on photo to enlarge in new window Proceedings Since the 2nd WOC in 1957, a volume of "Proceedings" has been published following each Conference.  This is a significant quality publication, well illustrated, and covering the full content of the Lecture Program, together with a record the Show (judging results, for example), and of other Conference events.  Although it usually has a limited print run, its availability is not restricted to Registrants.