WBC 2016 Report
The 2016 World Bromeliad Conference (WBC) was held at the Galleria Westin Hotel in Houston, Texas, between June 13th to 19th, hosted by the Bromeliad Society/Houston in collaboration with the Bromeliad Society International. There were 167 attendees, about the same as in Hawaii in 2014. The numbers were unfortunately down some, partially due to fewer Australians being present because of their new plant importation rules that are very severe. But the enthusiasm was definitely visible.
The conference kicked off Tuesday with a BSI Board of Directors' meeting and a day-long Judging School. During the week, there was a BBQ dinner, garden tours, plant sales, rare plant auction, speaker seminars, banquet, and lots of camaraderie between bromeliad aficionados from around the world. On the following pages, please enjoy the coverage and photos of the various events at the conference. I hope they can convey the warmth, friendship, educational opportunities and everything 'Bromeliad' that was present at the meeting--to say nothing of the fun we had all week long at the conference!
I hope this report will also inspire you to register for the 2018 WBC in San Diego from May 29th--June 3th. If you haven't already done so, check out all the information at www.bsi.org. It is planned to be just as invigorating and enjoyable as our 2016 Houston Conference you will read about here.
Enjoy!
Steve Reynolds--WBC 2016 Conference Chair
Texas BBQ--Meet & Greet
The main event of the first day of the conference began with a bus trip south of Houston to Jimbo's Nursery in Santa Fe, Texas. The nursery is owned by Jimmy and Joanne Woolsey. The attendees were feted with adult beverages, iced tea and lots of cold water. They visited the five acre nursery observing many bromeliads, tropical and landscaping plants. Set up around the nursery were four small speaker areas, where volunteers discussed bromeliad cultivation, as well as leading open discussions on bromeliad tips. Terrie Bert--Cryptanthus; Odean Head--Mounting Bromeliads; Andy Siekkinen--Hechtias; and Rick Ryals--Neoregelias, provided a learning situation at each mini-venue. The setting provided a great place for people from around the world to relax, visit and have time to actually discuss bromeliads under the big tent (see Figure 2.). A sumptuous Texas BBQ and all the fixin's was then served. The guests were then treated to door prizes and bromeliads donated by Jimbo's Nursery. The World's Best Greenhouse Pencils & Pencil Sharpeners were a big hit as well as Tillandsia design books. Special thanks to Jimmy & Joanne Woolsey, their family and employees for hosting this great event for the conference.
BSI Judging School
At every WBC, a BSI Judging School is held at the beginning of the conference. The school is led by Betty-Ann Prevatt, Chairperson of the Judges Certification Committee. She was joined by Dr. Larry Giroux and Dr. Terrie Bert in teaching the class. It was attended by seven student judges from around the world. This is a full day class, covering everything pertaining to the proper judging...