20^th World Orchid Conference 2011 and Flower Dome Preview at Gardens by the Bay

Scheduled to officiate in June 2012, Gardens by the Bay threw open their garden gates for a sneak preview to the public and to host its first event – the 20^th World Orchid Conference (20^th WOC) gala dinner.

Officiated by His Excellency, President Tony Tan Keng Yam, the event saw 750 local and international guests enjoy an enchanting evening of performances, dinner and awards set amidst lush greenery. Organised by the National Parks Board and Orchid Society of Southeast Asia, the 20^th WOC is touted as the Olympics of Orchids and is the most significant event on the international floriculture calendar.

The 20^th WOC saw over 1,000 delegates attending the conference and some 300,000 visits at the World Orchid Show and Gardens by the Bay; notable dignitaries included Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Prolific singer-songwriter, Sir Elton John, who made a rare guest appearance at the 20^th WOC, was honoured with an orchid named after him for his contribution to the music industry as well as his passion for flowers.

In conjunction with the 20^th WOC, ticket holders were treated to a sneak preview of the Flower Dome – one of the two cooled conservatories in the Bay South Garden at Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome featured a curated display of 14,000 orchid plants consisting of about 150 hybrids and 30 species from around world. Non-ticket holders also enjoyed the preview of the Heritage Gardens, Golden and Silver Gardens, as well as the Dragonfly Lake.

"This City in a Garden is not just about developing green infrastructure. We are actually building a home to be proud of in the next few decades", said Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was one of the impressed visitors to the Gardens.

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