Taichung City will be hosting the 2018 World Flora Exposition, with preparations now in full swing. To fully utilize every resource and facilities from the expo, and to integrate the variety of orchid characteristics and cultivation techniques, Taichung City Government is actively seeking to become the 2020 World Orchid Conference (WOC) host city. Mayor Lin Chia-long states that Taichung will not only be established as a garden city by means of the 2018 World Flora Expo and shooting for the 2020 World Orchid Conference, but also become an event city hosting various international conferences, exhibitions and activities.

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and World Orchid Conference(WOC) Trust Committees visited Taichung this 4th for site inspection and review meetings in addition to keeping track of current World Flora Expo progress; Accompanied by Secretariat Deputy Director Guo Kun-ming, Mayor Lin receipted the two international organizations traveling from afar and exchanged welcoming gifts, offering Taichung’s enthusiasm and warmth to the committee members and introducing the abundantly diversified and livable city image.

Mayor Lin welcomes the joint arrival of AIPH President Mr. Bernard Oosterom and WOC Trust President Ms. Sandra Tillisch Svoboda to Taichung concerning the preparation schedule of Taichung Flora Expo, which is currently in full swing. In the meantime, the city government is also actively seeking to host the 2020 World Orchid Conference and Exhibition and hopes to leave the guests with a good impression of Taichung.

Mayor Lin states that Taichung is replete with orchids, and hopes to establish Taichung as a garden city and the city of events for hosting all kinds of international conferencing exhibitions and activities through holding this Flora Expo and competing for and Orchid Conference. The city government is confident in running the Flora Expo next year and hopes to win the rights of the World Orchid Conference and Exhibition three years later.

AIPH President Mr. Bernard Oosterom expressed expectations for the upcoming 2018 Taichung World Flora Expo event counting down 20 months from now. This current period is the crucial moment in event preparation. The works are being carried out successively, and the event is sure to be a success showcasing the public with the city’s environmental greening through the Flora Expo.

The World Orchid Conference Trust President Ms. Sandra Tillisch Svoboda pointed Taiwan out as a very important player in the world orchid industry, and is also the center of orchid production and research. The World Orchid Conference will offer citizens a chance to see the unique aspects of orchids, and let the world appreciate the beauty of orchids whilst promoting international communication. Members of the WOC committee are all looking forward to exploring Taichung and hope to have a chance to meet the public in the coming World Orchid Conference.

The Agriculture Bureau states that the WOC will become a benchmark activity for the orchid industry. The city government will be presenting the charms of Taichung city, abundant natural resources, and skilled orchid production technique to the WOC Trust members for a display of excellence in a full effort to gain rights to the 2020 World Orchid Conference host city.

The Agriculture Bureau emphasizes the considerable technique and strength of Taichung’s orchid industry. If made use properly with the curatorial experience and equipment gained from the 2018 Taichung Flora Expo, along with success at obtaining the hosting rights of the 2020 World Orchid Conference, Taiwan orchids will then be introduced to the world through conferencing and exhibition themes of Indigenuity, Conservation, and Diversity.