Despite the severe economic crisis that is still being felt in many countries, we have reached the limit of 1,000 registrants for the World Convention. We appreciate this enthusiastic support for the Convention. Anyone whose registration is received after those first 1,000 registrants will be put onto a waiting list.
We are currently sending acknowledgement cards to all registrants in the order in which their registrations were received. Please take good care of your acknowledgement card and remember to bring it with you to Tokyo. You will be asked to show it at the reception desk when you arrive at the Convention. Whenever a registrant cancels, someone from the waiting list will be sent an acknowledgement card.
The last May before the May in the year of the Convention is now over. May is a very comfortable time in Tokyo. In May, many flowers are in bloom, and there is much greenery. This Convention's special color is green. We chose that color to represent the early summer season and indicate our respect for nature. All Convention participants will get a green souvenir bag.
The Ikebana International 10th World Convention Committee members are busy now, preparing for the Convention. I would like to thank the Okinawa, Sapporo, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Kamakura, and Tokyo Founding Chapters for their generous commitment to the 10th World Convention. Their early support is very reassuring and much appreciated. We are also encouraged by the support that we have received from other Chapters around the world.

Here is a brief summary of the program for the 10th World Convention.

On the first day, before the Opening Ceremony, there will be six Culture Programs. We hope that as many people as possible will participate and enjoy a Japanese cultural experience. Also before the Opening Ceremony, there will be a forum with representatives from Chapters that have members attending the Convention and from ikebana schools. This will be a rare opportunity for communication. We expect the discussions to be valuable and fruitful.
The Opening Ceremony will be held in the presence of H.I.H. Princess Takamado and other honored guests. As part of this ceremony, we will express our gratitude to long-term members of I.I.
The Welcome Dinner will be held in the same ballroom as the Opening Ceremony. The Welcome Dinner is being designed by the Okinawa Chapter. Their members are planning typical Okinawa entertainment and table decorations. During the dinner, we will give special thanks to “ikebana husbands”.

On the second day, there will be ikebana demonstrations by the Ohara School, Mishoryu, and the Ichiyo School.
The Ikebana Exhibition will be open to the public on the second and third days of the Convention. Nearly 300 arrangements will be displayed, included works by 30 ikebana headmasters. Also on the second day, the Business Meeting and the Extraordinary General Meeting will be held. These programs are very important for our organization. The Business Meeting will be conducted as usual under the current Articles of Association and International Bylaws. In addition, an Extraordinary General Meeting will be conducted by the International Board of Directors.

On the third day, there will be ikebana demonstrations by Koryu Shookai, Ryusei-ha, and Ikenobo. In addition, on the second and third days, members of overseas chapters will do ikebana demonstrations. We have planned entertainment for the dinners on those two days, including a lecture about Noh masks and a performance on the Japanese traditional musical instrument shakuhachi (somewhat like a recorder).

On the fourth (last) day of the World Convention, there will be another important meeting, the Breakfast Discussion Meeting. This is a unique opportunity for members from around the world to voice their opinions and to make a substantial contribution to our organization. The final ikebana demonstration will be by the Sogetsu School.
The last program of the convention is the Sayonara Banquet. We hope that registrants will come to the Sayonara Banquet in their national costume or formal dress.

The Friendship Room, which will be managed by the Sapporo Chapter, will be on the third floor. You can relax there, have a soft drink, coffee, or tea, and snacks, chat and exchange ideas with members of other chapters, and leave messages for your friends. A variety of daily tours of Tokyo and nearby sights will be offered, with easy, same-day sign-ups.
We are making every effort so that the World Convention in 2011 will be a wonderful, memorable experience for all registrants. I am looking forward to seeing you at the 10th World Convention and sharing Friendship through Flowers. If you have any questions about your registration, please contact us at Headquarters.