The 2026 American Orchid Society Spring Conference - April 8th -11th

Join Us in Apopka April 8th -11th Registration will open soon!

Make plans to join us this Spring in Apopka, FL. April 8th through the 11th for the 2026 Spring Conference.

Your Registration includes 4 Expert Speaker sessions, Meet & Greet Social, Silent and Live Auctions, 2 Hands-On Workshops, State of the organization assembly and AOS elections, Award Presentations, the sumptuous Orchid Paradise banquet and more! There will be AOS Judging sponsored by the Florida North-Central Judging Center.

It will be held in conjunction with the Apopka International Spring Orchid Festival which is presented by Krull-Smith, Inc. at their nursery in Apopka, Florida.

Stop by and visit the great local and international vendors, meet fellow orchid enthusiasts and the AOS leadership. Learn more about orchids and the people who impact your AOS membership experience. The current schedule is posted below. Join Us!

Orchid Speakers and Workshops

We are thrilled to welcome Julien Baruch, George Hatfield, Alan Koch and Ron McHatton as our featured speakers this spring.

Workshops:

* Virus Testing. Hands-on. Presented by Agdia.

* Repotting, Dividing & Mounting. Your Orchids will Thank You.

All Speakers sessions and Workshops will be held at the NOCIA (Northwest Orange County Improvement Association) Building. 4253 W. Ponkan Rd. Zellwood, FL 32798. Just 1.5 miles from Krull-Smith - 2800 W Ponkan Rd, Apopka, FL 32712.

Host Hotel - Hilton Garden Inn Apopka City Center

580 East Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32703

We have reserved a block of rooms at special 2026 Spring Conference rates ($179/night (King), $199 (2 Queen beds) A full breakfast buffet is included.

Please note that the block is reserved from Tuesday, April 7th to Monday, April 13th - those are the default dates for reservations for the room block. If your travel dates differ, you will need to click "Edit stay" - at the top of the page to reserve for your timeframe. Do not forget to click "Done" after editing the dates so that your choice is saved.

Click the button below to make your reservations.

You may also book rooms by calling central reservations at 1-800-HILTONS and providing the code “AOS"

Current Schedule

There are a couple of venues for the conference activities. Check the description for each event for locations.

Wednesday, April 8th

Location: Hilton Garden Inn Apopka City Center Conference Room

  • 1:00 - 4:00 PM Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Session

  • 7:00 - 9:00 PM Judges Training Forum - "Everything you wanted to know about OrchidPro but were afraid to ask." Presented by Laura Newton.

  • Thursday, April 9th

    Location: Hilton Garden Inn Apopka City Center Conference Room

  • 9:00 - Noon Judging Committee Meeting

  • Noon - 1:00 PM Meet the AOS Leadership Lunch (Ticketed meal)

  • 1:00 - 5:00 PM Board of Trustees Meeting

  • Dinner on your own

  • Friday, April 10th

    Speakers, Workshop and lunch @ NOCIA Building

  • 9:00 AM Speaker Session 1 - Alan Koch. Topic: (New Cattleya talk - TBA)

  • 10:00 AM Speaker Session 2 - Julien Baruch. Topic: TBA

  • 11:00 AM "Orchid Virus Testing" Hands-on Workshop. Supplies are limited. First Come-First Served. Sponsored by Agdia.

  • 12:00 Noon Light lunch (Ticketed meal)

  • 1:00 PM AOS Judging @ Krull-Smith Nursery

  • 5:00 - 6:00 PM Meet & Greet Social

  • 5:15 - 6:30 Silent and Live Auction Preview.

  • 6:30 PM Silent Auction ends.

  • 6:00 - 7:30 PM Live Auction.

  • Saturday, April 11th

  • 9:00 AM - Noon Meeting of the Members. Awards Presentation. AOS Elections & more!

  • 12 Noon Board of Trustees Reorganization Meeting (BoT Working Lunch)

  • 1:30 PM Speaker Session 3 - George Hatfield. Topic: (Cymbidiums - TBA)

  • 2:30 PM Speaker Session 4 - Ron McHatton, PhD. Topic: Orchid Pests and Diseases Management

  • 3:30 PM Hands-On Workshop. "Repotting, Dividing & Mounting. Your Orchids will Thank You." Supplies are limited. First Come-First Served. Presented by Jay Balchan.

  • 7:30 PM "Orchid Paradise" Gala banquet at Krull-Smith's showroom.

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