Phalaenopsis Journal First Quarter Vol. 21(3) 2012 | Page 6

18 th IPA SYMPOSIUM
Set for August 24-25,2012
- Orlando, Florida Beckons You -
Frank Smith and Carlos Fighetti
F
ollowing the resounding success of our Symposium
in Ontario, California, two years ago, the Interna-
tional Phalaenopsis Alliance Annual Symposium
is now a two-day event. It will encompass plant entries
for ribbon and AOS judging, a Preview Party, speakers,
workshops, the all-important Color Fund auction and lun-
cheon. This change, from a 3-day to a 2-day event, gives
the registrants a more focused schedule of events by end-
ing on Saturday at 5 PM. The traditional 3rd day, which
has been Sunday, has been freed-up for registrants to either
have impromptu sessions, take the opportunity to visit lo-
cal nurseries in the area or spend the day with Mickey and
Minnie at Disney World.
Each year, the IPA holds its Symposium in different parts
of the world, and we have not held one on the East Coast in
several years. So when the IPA approached us for ideas for
a venue, Frank Smith of Krull-Smith Orchids suggested the
convenience of a hotel in the Orlando, Florida area which
has very effectively hosted other orchid symposia in the
pa