"Pat Brennan" wrote in message
.com...


Maybe events like Homestead is the way to go, rather than a show per se.

K Barrett

I am not sure if this comment was meant for me or the AOS. If you were
talking AOS I think you are on to something. The annual combined gates of
the shows I do is between 1 and 1.5 million people. At most of the shows
the local society will have a booth introducing themselves and the AOS.
Up until a few years ago I used the AOS leaflet that included care
instructions and an AOS application as care sheets. I handed out an AOS
application with every plant sold and to every by passer with general
orchid questions. I have handed out boxes and boxes of AOS applications.
I have no idea how many new members I have sent to the AOS. With the
flower shows gone so went this easy access to the flower loving general
public. But after reading the letter that started this thread it seems to
me that if you can only hold new members for two years this might not be
to people the AOS currently needs.

What the AOS currently needs is to get back the true orchid junkie, you
know the ones that will drive hours and then pay for the right to buy
plants, you know the type, the ones that go to Redlands. I do not know
the Redland gate but I would bet the number is at least 8 thousand
(compared to an AOS membership of 16 thousand). Maybe the AOS needs to
hold a Redlands type event on it grounds. Vendors are required to be AOS
members. How can you bitch about a $60 membership if you make that money
at an AOS hosted event. Makes the first day of sales an AOS day open only
to AOS members. During the AOS day have a short AOS townhall meeting. I
expect the input from the town meeting to be very different then that from
a trustee meeting. It would be nice to have speakers during the event.
Well the experts are there as vendors, give vendors who give talks a
discount on their sales area. One rule while the event is getting off the
ground, no AOS judging. No displays, no blue ribbons, no awards; just
lots of great plants for sale. This is an AOS event that has nothing to do
with the AOS judging program. If the event is a success, the AOS can
consider hosting these events in other parts of the country. Money maker,
outreach, and vendor arm twisting, sounds good to me.

Pat


That's what I'm talkin' about! Sounds good to me too.

N Calif has a much smaller venue called 'Orchid in the Park', held in
October in Golden Gate Park. There's a minor show area in the center of the
sale just showing plants that make you drool and want to check out the
vendor's booth to see if they have that plant for sale. But no judging, no
other displays. no ribbons. Nothing but plant sales.

I have wanted to go to Redlands ever since they started it 6-7 years ago. I
have either the time and no money or money and no time. Speaking as an
addict I think what draws me is the idea of the international vendors
bringing in stuff that you'd never see otherwise, like the Madagascan or
Malaysian vendors.

We are trying a Speaker's Day this August. Sales, Speakers, some AOS
judging since the center is sponsoring this. I'm hoping the combo of
education and sales will carry the day and bring out the orchid addict.

K Barrett