The 23rd World Orchid Conference (WOC) and orchid exhibition will be held in March next year in Taichung, World Orchid Conference Trust (WOC Trust) President Ms. Liz Johnson and company visited Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu today (4th) to commend the city hall for the efforts it has made in preparing to co-host the WOC and orchid exhibition next year. According to Deputy Mayor Linghu, the city hall will strive to ensure the success of the 2020 WOC and orchid exhibition, so as to promote Taiwan and Taichung internationally.

WOC Trust President Ms. Liz Johnson and Directors Dr. Alec Pridgeon, Mr. Cris Purver, and Dr. William Riley visited Taichung recently to inspect the venue for next year's WOC and orchid exhibition, including Waipu Expo Site and Fullon Hotel Lihpao Land. This afternoon, they also paid a visit to Taichung City Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu, Taiwan Orchid Growers Association (TOGA) Director Cheng-chung Chen, NTU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Professor Yao-kan Chang, and Agriculture Bureau Director General Ching-chiang Tsai.

Deputy Mayor Linghu suggested that the city hall has collaborated with TOGA in a bid to host the 23rd WOC and orchid exhibition. Besides visiting the orchid exhibition in Tainan, the WOC Trust also traveled to Taichung to inspect the event venue and attend the flora expo. The trust members praised the outstanding environment of Taichung, and the city hall will lend its full support in ensuring the success of the 2020 WOC and orchid exhibition. The ultimate aim is to promote Taiwan and Taichung globally. At the same time, the event will also be beneficial for flower growers and the agricultural economy of central Taiwan.

Visiting Taichung for the 3rd time, WOC Trust President Ms. Liz Johnson commented Taichung is a fantastic and vital city that has demonstrated rapid developments. She was also pleased to visit the flora expo yesterday, helping to market Taiwan and Taichung globally. In addition, she has witnessed the endeavors of Taiwan in ecological conservation; next year's WOC also involves agendas on supporting ecological conservation, allowing people of all ages to gain further insight into local the orchid industry and conservation work.

In response to the media's question concerning the royalties controversy between Taichung City Hall and International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), trust President Ms. Liz Johnson replied that she was not aware of the incident, but WOC Trust holds a pleasant cooperative relationship with the city hall, and they are satisfied with the facilities for next year's event, so “without a doubt, 2020 WOC and orchid exhibition will be held in Taichung!”

According to TOGA Director Cheng-chung Chen, WOC and orchid exhibition is an iconic international gathering of orchid industries from around the world. The event is held every 3 years by cities in 5 major continents. He felt reassured to see the city hall's determination in ensuring the event's success and hopes the government will work hand in hand with the private sector to facilitate the smooth organization of WOC and orchid exhibition next year.

Agriculture Bureau Director General Ching-chiang Tsai suggested that the 2020 WOC and orchid exhibition will be held at Waipu Expo Site, covering an area of 4.3 hectares. With a total budget of approximately NT$210 million, the city hall will collaborate with TOGA, inviting 3,000 guests from 50 countries worldwide to participate in the grand gathering that has kept orchid enthusiasts waited with bated breath.

Agriculture Bureau commented that WOC and orchid exhibition is an iconic international gathering of orchid industries from around the world. The event is held every 3 years, and Taiwan first started vying to host the event in 2005. A decade later, Taichung, Taiwan was awarded the right to host 2020 WOC at the WOC 2014 in South Africa. The city hall delegates traveled to Ecuador in November 2017 to attend the 22nd WOC and flag-conferring ceremony.

Agriculture Bureau elaborated that 2020 WOC and orchid exhibition features 4 major themes (Native, Conservation, Diversity, Share) and 5 highlights (100 Orchid Conservation Program, Digital Archive Program, Elite Program, Youth Involvement Program, Golden Orchid Alliance Program etc.). They are expected to generate an increase in the exportation of orchids and revitalize Taiwan's orchid industry.