AFRICA – Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre is gearing up for the arrival of the ‘Orchid Olympics’ to the city during Tourism Month on 10-14 September.
The World Orchid Conference and Exhibition (WOC) was bid for by a group of South African orchid enthusiasts and won in partnership with the Johannesburg Convention Bureau three years ago in Singapore.
This is the second time that South Africa is hosting an event that is now celebrating its 21st edition.
“Dubbed the ‘Orchid Olympics’, this promises to be one of the most extraordinary botanical events and floral extravaganzas ever held in South Africa, and we encourage the public to attend,” says Anthony Grohovaz, who has led the initiative to bring the WOC back to South Africa and win the bid for Johannesburg.
Pumla Ntsele, Deputy Director of Johannesburg Tourism’s Convention Bureau said: “A World Orchid Show is one of the biggest flower shows held anywhere in the world – and comparatively bigger than the famous Chelsea Gardens Show held annually in the UK.”
Around 100,000 local visitors are expected to attend across more than 10,000 sqm – about two soccer fields for an exhibit space for plants and flowers.
According to the organisers, there are many financial and marketing benefits to a country hosting such an event, given that such shows often have 500 – 1,000 international registrants who generally stay 14–19 days in total.
Running concurrently with the event, the following major events will also be presented at the Sandton Convention Centre:
1. 2014 National Cycad Display
2. 2014 South African National Biodiversity Institute Display
3. 2014 Protea and Fynbos Display
4. 21st World Orchid Conference Photographic Competition
5. 21st World Orchid Conference Botanical Art Competition
6. 2014 National Floral Art Competition
7. 2014 National South African Cake Decorators Guild Competition
8. 21st World Orchid Conference RSA Date Stamp
9. WOC21 – WOSA Wetland Display
10. Aloe, Succulent and Model Train Display
11. South African Ikebana Display
12. 21st World Orchid Conference Guinness Book of Records Attempt
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