Singapore to host Asia Pacific Orchid Conference for the first time; includes five-day Orchid Show

The Asia Pacific Orchid Conference (APOC) is set to take place in Singapore for the first time from Aug 16 to 20.

The event, organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Orchid Society of South East Asia (OSSEA), will be held at the Singapore EXPO.

As part of the conference, which is held every three years, there will be a five-day Orchid Show.

It will include an orchid plant competition with over 100 categories and an orchid landscape competition featuring over 30 displays by orchid societies, associations and professional growers from the Asia-Pacific region.

These competitions will be judged by orchid experts from Singapore and the region. The winners will then be announced on Aug 16.

Visitors can also look forward to a line-up of non-competitive displays and stage programmes. There will also be a marketplace that will spotlight over 80 local and international booths.

The show will take place from 10am to 9pm daily.

Tickets can be purchased on SISTIC, where an early bird sale runs till Jun 30. Singapore residents can get weekday tickets at $9 (for children aged three to 12, seniors 60 years old and above) or $15 (adult), and weekend tickets at $12 or $20.

Orchid researchers and cultivators can also sign up for the Conference Programme that will be held from Aug 16 to 19. The programme will feature plenary talks and a scientific poster presentation session.

Speakers will cover topics such as orchid diversity, orchid culture and hybridisation, and conservation.

There, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the National Orchid Garden and other features at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, such as the Learning Forest and Gallop Extension.

Early bird tickets for the conference are priced from $200 for full registrants and $80 for full-time students.