NABF Newsletter #1

Feature #13

LATEST PLANS FOR THE 5TH WORLD BONSAI CONVENTION

by Glenn Reusch and Chris Yeapanis

The 5th World Bonsai Convention will be held May 28 - 31, 2005, in Washington, D.C., at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The host for the convention, and this website, is the North American Bonsai Federation (NABF), and through it the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. The three convention sponsors are the National Bonsai Foundation, the Potomac Bonsai Association and the U.S. National Arboretum. Several other organizations are also supporting this world event in significant ways, and we are actively soliciting support from other groups to help assure this event will be the biggest and best bonsai convention in modern memory.

Peace through bonsai is the driving theme behind this convention, and all bonsai individuals and groups seem very willing to fully support this event. With this theme in mind, the site selection of Washington, D.C., for the 2005 convention was especially appropriate. Nowhere else could the same goals be promulgated with better effect throughout the entire bonsai world, and we believe that the world is united in solidarity behind us. Our hope is that the impact of our efforts will range far beyond bonsai, where it is desperately needed.

The convention co-chairs, Chris Yeapanis and Glenn Reusch, have assembled their team of committee chairs. All feel this is an exciting opportunity to draw, not only on the bonsai talent of the local community, but also their organizational ability, to stage an event of this magnitude. Nominations for bonsai masters are coming in from each of the nine WBFF regions of the world to demonstrate their skills and to teach workshops. The nominations received to date are an exciting and diverse group. Our task of making the final selection will not be easy among such a talented roster, but it is our hope that these masters will have wide appeal to draw bonsai enthusiasts from all regions to celebrate peace through bonsai, and enjoy a terrific convention.

We are especially excited with the choice of the Washington Hilton. This hotel was designed specifically for conventions, and we think that the layout of the space will work splendidly for the 5th WBC. A very large banquet and demonstration hall, flanked by expansive exhibit halls, with large workshop rooms and a huge vendor area are all conveniently located in adjacent areas on the same floor. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is located at the U.S. National Arboretum, less than four miles away. Washington’s famous monuments to national and world leaders are internationally known and respected. The world-class restaurants, museums, and entertainment facilities of the District of Columbia are all nearby. This will be a bonsai conventioneer's dream!

Bonsai today is much more than just a mere hobby. We believe that this event, with the work of the host, NABF, the three sponsors, and the several allied organizations, and their hardworking members, will clearly show that the bonsai community worldwide is committed to fostering peace through the art of bonsai. We look forward to keeping you posted on a regular basis as the planning progresses for this unique convention.