Fresh from hosting the 23rd World Orchid Conference and 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show, the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association (TOGA) received an invitation from the President's office. Their task? To handle the floral decorations for the inauguration banquet on May 20th. This is the first time the banquet been held in Tainan City, where President Lai previously served as mayor. During his tenure as mayor, President Lai emphasized the importance of agriculture and horticulture in Tainan. For the inauguration banquet, he sought to showcase Taiwan's floral industry, particularly the orchids and Anthuriums that are integral to local business.
To tackle this project, TOGA collaborated with the florists from Chinese Flower Design Association Tainan Branch (CFD) and Taiwan Florists' Transworld Delivery Association (TFTD), forming a team of around 50 members. TOGA acted as the main coordinator, overseeing all preparations and logistics. They also liaised with flower growers aiming to secure the freshness and quality of the flowers for the event. The florists from CFD and TFTD were tasked with the designing the landscape displays, floral centerpieces for the banquet, and other floral decorations for the Formosa Yacht Resort venue.
The theme for the inauguration banquet 'The Abundance of Formosa', was a nod to the island's historic name. The decoration team selected three key colors to serve the main theme for the floral arrangements. "The Taiwan Red symbolized the festivity and liveliness of national celebration, while Tainan Pink represented romance and hopes. Harvest Yellow paid tribute to Taiwan's agricultural richness, representing crops such as rice, mangoes, bananas, and pineapples,"the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association states.
They add: "The main feature of the decorations was the Phalaenopsis orchid, which is not only the city flower of Tainan, but also one of Taiwan's most exported flowers. Other significant orchids to the local industry, including Oncidium, Vanda, and Renanthera, were accompanying the Phalaenopsis. Anthuriums were also chosen for their importance in Taiwan's floral trade, and Tainan is one of the largest growing regions for them."
They continue: "One of the highlights of the decorations was the display of orchids featuring different national flags. These National Flag Orchids, created using a seven-step nano-printing technology that was both time-consuming and labor-intensive, greeted guests at the venue's entrance with a touch of Taiwanese hospitality and goodwill toward international guests. After the vanquet, the National Flag orchids were now relocated to the arrival hall of Taoyuan International Airport's Terminal 2, continuing to welcome visitors at the nation's busiest gateway until June 5th."
The National Flag Orchids at TPE Airport
"The inauguration banquet in Tainan City was a success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of TOGA, CFD, and TFTD. The floral decorations, crafted from Taiwan's orchids and Anthuriums, served as a stunning representation of the island's flourishing floral industry and its rich agricultural heritage. The National Flag Orchids, in particular, exemplified Taiwan's warmth and hospitality toward guests from around the world. This event not only celebrated the inauguration of the new President but also showcased the beauty, creativity, and ingenuity of Taiwan's floral artisans on a global stage," the association concludes.
For more information:
Taiwan Orchid Growers Association
www.toga.org.tw