8th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, Rochester, NY, USA, September 9-10, 2023

[Waldo Street Pottery]

I cobbled together a Bnut Button, who wants one with their name on it? You have until tonight to let me know, I have to print and make them. I'll bring blanks but you'll need to find a very tiny sharpie.

I was happy to receive mine! Thanks…

 

[Corin Tomlinson]

Hi guys, Thought many of you would be interested in this video I have just done at the 8th National Bonsai Exhibition. To all of you I met over there last week, thanks for the time, was a great show, amazing trees, and good so meet so many of you over the pond ! Corin

"In this video Corin walks around the exhibition and talks us through some of his favourite trees. This is a unique insight into the show as Corin acquired special permission to film the exhibition . Bill Valavanis (the show organiser) is a close friend of Corin's so it was a very enjoyable opportunity to be involved in the show."

 

[Shogun610]

Hi guys, Thought many of you would be interested in this video I have just done at the 8th National Bonsai Exhibition. To all of you I met over there last week, thanks for the time, was a great show, amazing trees, and good so meet so many of you over the pond ! Corin

"In this video Corin walks around the exhibition and talks us through some of his favourite trees. This is a unique insight into the show as Corin acquired special permission to film the exhibition . Bill Valavanis (the show organiser) is a close friend of Corin's so it was a very enjoyable opportunity to be involved in the show."

This is prime example that the no photo policy is out of touch.

 

[Scorpius]

This is prime example that the no photo policy is out of touch.

No, you're not one of the cool kids that get to do cool kid stuff. Duh. lol.

 

[namnhi]

This is prime example that the no photo policy is out of touch.

Corin first post and you already throwing him under the bus. Someone needs to take a chill pill and calm down.

 

[Shogun610]

Corin first post and you already throwing him under the bus. Someone needs to take a chill pill and calm down.

Not a knock against him just stating my thoughts on the rule mang

 

[Ruddigger]

I spoke with Corin very briefly at the hotel bar, I wish I could have had more tine to pick his brain. Seems like a stand up guy.

 

[Sansokuu]

It was nice of Corin to share his video, thank you for that. If folks have issue with the photography rule, please complain to Bill about it. He was trying to prevent early vendor sales this year so I am sure he is responding to complaints. Maybe he can even turn it into a monetary opportunity ($2 suggested donationfor non professional photography rights). But yeah, people who take photos will still buy a book if they wanted one, and those who couldn’t afford a book wouldn't buy one anyway! Museums used to have a no photography policy but nowadays the few times I see that rule is only for very sacred places (buddhist temples in japan) and flash photography sensitive artifacts. The kokufu allowed photos and it was a great opportunity to see the scale in size of these trees to their viewers, something that doesn’t come across in photos!

 

[Nybonsai12]

The no photo rule needs to be done away with, its just that simple. With people on social media, the reach could be so much more than what it is now...

If people want the book they will buy it regardless of a photo policy.

 

[Sansokuu]

The no photo rule needs to be done away with, its just that simple. With people on social media, the reach could be so much more than what it is now...

If people want the book they will buy it regardless of a photo policy.

No one here is disagreeing, but you have to convince Bill, not the choir. Even without much social media hype the event was packed, they even had to regulate incoming crowds by noon on Saturday. I would recommend emailing Bill or Diane at their international bonsai email addresses. Response can be immediate, or none but I am sure they read everything. Let them know what you loved or hated about the event. Feedback is helpful. Please, everyone complain about the lack of AC. Last event someone literally died because of it. I doubt they will change the venue or the venue will change building infrastructure but some event companies DO rent portable AC blowers. Thing is, weather in September in Rochester is a gamble, it could be cool or it could be super hot. Maybe that monetary donation for photography rights can go to AC expenses….

Portable Air Conditioner Rentals | Emergency Delivery Available

Contact Herc Rentals with your portable ac rental needs. Our portable air conditioner rentals are perfect for commercial uses.

www.priorityrental.com

As a vendor I’ll pay an AC fee for our corner of the room to have some cooling.


wnv@internationalbonsai.com or dyv@internationalbonsai.com

Here is a form which I have gotten good responses at as well:

Contact Us

Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

 

[badatusernames]

No one here is disagreeing, but you have to convince Bill, not the choir. Even without much social media hype the event was packed, they even had to regulate incoming crowds by noon on Saturday. I would recommend emailing Bill or Diane at their international bonsai email addresses. Response can be immediate, or none but I am sure they read everything. Let them know what you loved or hated about the event. Feedback is helpful. Please, everyone complain about the lack of AC. Last event someone literally died because of it. I doubt they will change the venue or the venue will change building infrastructure but some event companies DO rent portable AC blowers. Thing is, weather in September in Rochester is a gamble, it could be cool or it could be super hot. Maybe that monetary donation for photography rights can go to AC expenses….

Portable Air Conditioner Rentals | Emergency Delivery Available

Contact Herc Rentals with your portable ac rental needs. Our portable air conditioner rentals are perfect for commercial uses.

www.priorityrental.com

As a vendor I’ll pay an AC fee for our corner of the room to have some cooling.


wnv@internationalbonsai.com or dyv@internationalbonsai.com

Here is a form which I have gotten good responses at as well:

Contact Us

Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Someone died last time?!!

 

[Sansokuu]

Someone died last time?!!

Yeah we heard this from Bill directly, I don’t know the exact details, it seemed to be heat exhaustion related but happened at the hotel not at the venue itself (heart attack?). This sort of thing is not uncommon at hot weather type events (ambulances were always on call at the air show which used to be held in the worst heat of July here in Oregon), but certainly if there is enough complaining they can do some temporary cooling situations. People cool down event tents all the time.

 

[Corin Tomlinson]

Rest assured, Bill listens to feedback, and I discussed the photo policy with him, Its one reason he let me film I guess, If my video does well, and book sales increase due the people wanting to buy the exhibition annual, then (maybe) photo policy will alter.

So please don't complain about what's been done, as it might change.

 

[coh]

Last event someone literally died because of it.

Yeah we heard this from Bill directly, I don’t know the exact details, it seemed to be heat exhaustion related but happened at the hotel not at the venue itself (heart attack?). This sort of thing is not uncommon at hot weather type events (ambulances were always on call at the air show which used to be held in the worst heat of July here in Oregon), but certainly if there is enough complaining they can do some temporary cooling situations. People cool down event tents all the time.

So someone "literally died because of it" (no ac in venue) , but also "I don't know the exact details, it seemed to be heat exhaustion related but happened at the hotel not at the venue..." Got it.

No doubt they need to do something about the ac/ventilation. It really was uncomfortable in there especially Saturday, and this was with cool/rainy weather outside. At the 2016 show (I think that was the one) it was actually over 90 outside (maybe even close to 95, really hot for September) so imagine what it would be like with that kind of weather. Funny thing is, while I remember being drenched in sweat that day (moving trees around for photos), during this year's show it almost seemed worse in some ways. Maybe my memory playing tricks on me.

 

[Corin Tomlinson]

I can confirm its was properly hot in there for an English Bloke !

 

[namnhi]

View attachment 509692

I can confirm its was properly hot in there for an English Bloke !

Damn that is hot!

 

[Corin Tomlinson]

Yeah I was really worried, another 30 mins, I'd start to loose weight

 

[coh]

Yeah I was really worried, another 30 mins, I'd start to loose weight

Would be interested to hear your thoughts about the tall arakawa maple that won an award. I thought it was spectacular but it seems many thought otherwise. Understand if you'd rather not comment

 

[SgtPilko]

View attachment 509692

I can confirm its was properly hot in there for an English Bloke !

Thanks for sharing and your work on the UK scene Corin!

 

[William N. Valavanis]

First of all that lady that got her tree eliminated, came with her husband, who had a lovely tree and was displayed, so she had to make the 12 hour journey anyway . As is my policy, the final acceptance is when the artist brings the tree to the exhibition. Everyone's tree was checked over as it came in the building. AND that lady's bonsai did not look like the photo she submitted. I've never rejected a tree for lack of space. In fact this year we set up about another dozen tables to accommodate the trees. The problem seems to be is that everyone is training larger and larger trees. Some we could not photograph they could not safely enter the photo studio.

I did reject ONE tree this year because it had spider mites and the foliage was discolored, I did not want it near the other 304 healthy trees. The judges did an excellent job examining all 304 trees. This is MY exhibition and although I belong to several bonsai organizations, no awards were presented which were not worthy. I do not have any secret affiliations with any organization, or professional bonsai artists for that fact.

The exhibition opened at 9am on Saturday, not Friday. Many people arrive early to get first pick. Only the vendors and last minute exhibitors were allowed to enter. I've been to many, many bonsai exhibitions, sales, conventions, probably more than anyone else (including Japan) and it is not uncommon for vendors to buy out other's material before the events start. We have often made more money before the public enters. I've been trying for several years to clear out th "early shoppers" but its extremely difficult. I'll try harder next time. I'm always tying to improve. In fact, this year's exhibition is the 100th bonsai exhibition, show, symposium, learning event and colloquium I've organized. I try to be fair to everyone, even the one exhibitor who arrived from a southern state over two hours late. Yes, the judges had to back o the floor to check his trees. I'll get it right one of these years.

This is a United States National Bonsai Exhibition. The Canadian trees and others from public collections were NOT part of the exhibition. They were "Special Exhibits" and were not judged with the other US bonsai. Canada is about 1 1/2 hers from Rochester and I know they have great bonsai which most US people are not familiar with, so several were displayed. AND individuals from Canada could not individually show their tree. All the Canadian trees belonged to public collections or a bonsai organization, and they were displayed appropriately.

Any more questions?
Bill