Thanks for doing one of your write ups for us Ryan.

For everyone else, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

- 6:22 PM: The Poolside Reception was already in high gear by the time I arrived. As I was following a group on over I took a view of as many people as I could. Many more attendees arrived throughout the evening, as some had just flew in or checked in at the hotel. The two bars set up at opposite sides of the area slowly began to see lines. With the flow of alcohol at an even rate, the levels of laughter got louder as time went by. The hors d'oeuvres flew in on large platters held by curtious hotel staff and they never seemed to run out.

{{gwi:505404}}

- Adjacent to the pool area was a short flight of stairs which came in handy with taking slightly elevated group shots. Everyone was in a great mood. Some attendees had spoken about how long they had waited to attend the Bromeliad Extravaganza. The weather for the reception was flawless, with the only irritation coming from a low flying aircraft or two, but many didn't seem to mind.

{{gwi:505405}}

- The first of many photos featuring the Keynote Speaker of the 2007 Bromeliad Extravaganza, Chester Skotak. He is standing next to his wife and they are with Vendor Eloise Beach and Attendee Jim Pearce.

{{gwi:505406}}

- During the Poolside Reception, a small silent auction took place and it featured some hard-to-find books and other interesting items.

{{gwi:505407}}

- Live music was provided and the musician performed just about non-stop and did an excellent job. Everyone enjoyed listening to him and some broke out into a dance or two, or three.

{{gwi:505408}}

- Three of the busiest people at the Extravaganza. The entire event would not have gone as smoothly without the efforts of Extravaganza Chairmain and Bromeliad Society of Broward County Past-President Jose Donayre, Society President Colleen Hendrix, and Society Vice-President Tim Hendrix.

{{gwi:505409}}

- The silent auction table gets worked over quite well by just about everyone, including myself. In the center wearing the gloves is Extravaganza Speaker Dr. Theresa Bert and she gives a rare book a good look over.

{{gwi:505410}}

- 7:02PM: Extravaganza Chairman Jose Donayre gives a welcoming speech to everyone at the Reception. He thanked everyone who traveled to be there and all the volunteers who collaborated to make the Extravaganza a reality.

{{gwi:505411}}

- A few minutes later, Jose gave the mic on over to Society President Colleen Hendrix. She welcomed everyone again and gave a brief run-down on the following days events.

{{gwi:505412}}

- A brief moment to capture two of the Extravaganza's Speakers a day before each of their seminars. Director of the Mulford B. Foster Bromeliad Identification Center Harry Luther and Dr. Theresa Bert.

{{gwi:505413}}

- 7:20PM: The sun begins to go down as the group shots continue, music plays in the background and the bars seldom see a quiet moment. Vendor Eloise Beach poses next to Keynote Speaker Chester Skotak, his wife and veteran collector and Society member Maureen Frazel.

{{gwi:505415}}

- The music became too powerful to resist so Extravaganza Chairman Jose Donayre begins to dance with attendee Sandy Roth.

{{gwi:505417}}

- They continue to dance for several minutes and neither seemed to get tired.

{{gwi:505418}}

- Members Maureen & Bill Frazel spent the night talking with everyone. They are very friendly and have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

{{gwi:505419}}

Ryan

Hey Ryan, did you get any pictures from the garden tours on Sunday?

Palmarum, I recognize your excellent photos and reportage style from the IPS forums. I had no idea you were enamored of bromeliads -- lucky us! Thanks for the writeup. More?
Kim

Keep 'em coming!

Hey Everyone, more is coming. I am getting caught up on a few other forums and other projects online. I am checking my notes on names and will post more in the near future.

Mike, I was not asked to photograph on Sunday and since I had a prior arrangement to photograph a paintball game, I did not attend the tours. They did sound good though, I hope someone got photos from them. The way the collections were described, they had a wide range of genera represented.

Posted by catkim
I had no idea you were enamored of bromeliads -- lucky us!
I have had bromeliads for almost as long as I have had palms, but palms have always been first on my list. My dad began growing Bromeliads quite a bit back in the late 1970s then I kinda took over with my palms. I still have plants of Billbergia pyramidalis I have been growing since I got my first one many years ago. Some consider it common but I enjoy it. It is quite nice to photograph when you get a whole grove of them to bloom at once.

Ryan

Ryan
Photos look great. Thanks again for "coming" over to Bromeliads and giving us some nice photos and words!!