AVSA-AVSC Joint Convention 2012

 Convention Overview

 Text by Sayeh Beheshti

The 2012 joint convention of the African Violet Society of America and the African Violet Society of Canada took place June 3rd-10th in Detroit. It was the first joint convention in the history of both AVSA and AVSC.

As the host club, the Michigan State African Violet Society set new standards for professionalism and hospitality. The Detroit Mariott Ren Cen was chosen as the perfect venue that not only provided all amenities and facilities required, but also embodied the show theme of “Violets Bridge Borders”, offering picturesque views of Canada and Downtown Detroit.

For many AVSA members, this was their first introduction to AVSC and opportunities to learn more about it could be found in all aspects of both the convention and show. I must accredit this success to the diligent efforts of Local Convention Chair Steve Turner, his local co-chair Laurel Goretsky, Local Show Chair Marge Farrand, her two local Asst. co-chairs Brenda Petry and Lorna Russel and all the other Chairs in both the Convention and Show Committees.

The Amateur Horticultural Division of the Show Schedule had two AVSC collection classes of Canadian Origination, open only to AVSC members as well as an entire Canadian Origination Section. The Commercial section Schedule also had two AVSC collection classes. These classes and sections served to highlight the talents and dedication of Canadian hybridizers and shine a spotlight on their passionate contribution to the hybridization of our favorite houseplant.

You can see the show results as well as pictures here: Convention Show Results.

The Court of Honor, the brainchild of Mel Grice, was another example of attention to detail. Conceived to represent the Ambassador bridge between Detroit and Windsor, It was 16 feet long and about 4 feet high at the tallest towers and even had black silhouette cars on it.

The Educational Display offered yet another opportunity to learn more about AVSC. It was a collaborative cross-border effort between Sayeh Beheshti of Toronto AVS and Trisha Piersimoni of Southern New Jersey AVS and marked the first time a multimedia presentation was used in an educational display.