What a Fine Show, Thanks to So Many!
By Sarah Bentley, President, Houston Orchid Society
HOS President Sarah Bentley (left) and Show Manager Brad Miller (right) at the Houston Orchid Society 2023 Annual Show & Sale.
The Annual HOS Orchid Show and Sale was open to the public on March 4 and 5, 2023, at Memorial City Mall. We “took over” the Atrium next to Dillard’s department store and had a full more-than-a-weekend event that was productive and fun.
Many working parts had to be coordinated to fulfill the vision of a complete Orchid Show. First, Memorial City Mall did its part by clearing the space of mall furnishings. They also provided a private area where exhibitors and vendors could stage items and materials to reduce disruption to visitors and shopkeepers as various aspects of the show were assembled. Mall staff monitored the event and provided security to be sure everyone was safe.
The HOS Orchid Show Committee worked months in advance to procure the requisite space and materials as well as contracts with the vendors. The HOS Judging Center was responsible for scheduling American Orchid Society judges to participate. HOS members and the vendors grew and groomed treasured plants to share in exhibits for the AOS judges to rank.
Staging for the big event began on Thursday. Show Co-chair Holly Miller spent the morning with her helper, Brent Arnspiger, making sure all the convention-style tables with backdrops were assembled and the vendor spaces were set up. Vendors began arriving and stocking booths with a tantalizing selection of orchids and other tropical plants. Later that evening, the HOS monthly meeting took place in the mall to construct the HOS exhibit featuring orchids grown by members. Then, vendors and members from participating societies got in line to register their plants for American Orchid Society judging. Winnie Yap and Kar Chong made sure the refreshments arrived for the pizza party as everyone worked on the exhibits and registration.
According to Fr. Ted Baenziger, who was Head Judge of the show, there were more than 250 plants registered to be judged. This required at least 18 accredited judges from around the state, along with about the same number of helpers. These clerks were responsible for helping the judging teams with ribbon and trophy judging and, later, handling the plants selected for individual AOS judging.
After enjoying a communal meal at one of the mall restaurants, the judging commenced Friday evening. This process is little understood by the general public, but obtaining accreditation is a years-long process sanctioned by the American Orchid Society. Because of the need for impartiality it is not a spectator sport. The results of several hours of deliberation concluded in the awarding of more than 100 prize ribbons and more than 30 special trophies of various lovely crystal pieces etched with an Orchid design.
Finally, with the trophies and ribbons proudly displayed, the event opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday. I don’t have any figures regarding attendance, but there was a lot of interest at the information table about the American Orchid Society and Houston Orchid Society. HOS gained 11 new members during the weekend!
In addition to awards for individual plants, the exhibits were judged and garnered several trophies. Houston Orchid Society’s exhibit was created by a team of several club members led by Sarah Bentley, Brad Miller, and Ken Whitmire. It received a trophy sponsored by the American Orchid Society as well as a prestigious AOS Silver Certificate due to having a particularly high score from the judges. There were four AOS awards for plant quality, which went to HOS members Rick Hepler, Holly Miller, Stephen Moffitt, and Derek Lowenstein.
Galveston Bay Orchid Society’s group exhibit won a trophy sponsored by Orchid Digest. It also contained the best flower in the show. Other displays from vendors and individuals included floral designs and educational exhibits. All were judged and awarded ribbons or trophies for everyone to admire when the show was open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
As HOS President, I want to sincerely say “Thank you!” to everyone who volunteered and made this event a success. Holly Miller and Jay Balchan, who co-chaired the show, did a great deal of preparatory work. Holly was on the spot the entire time for every aspect of the show from setup to tear-down. Calvin Starr was responsible for inviting the vendors and followed up to see that they met their obligations. Brent Arnspiger was the first to arrive and then single-handedly identified almost every plant that was registered. Ted Baenziger oversaw the judges and judging process. Claudia Ludwig, Derek Lowenstein, James Nelson, and others assisted me at the information table. Rick Hepler stepped in to be available throughout the weekend to ensure any problems were solved quickly. All others came to see and buy and participate. A resounding success!