Frequently Asked Questions
- 01
You’ll find the World Orchid Conference exhibition in the red‑marked area of the fairgrounds. The lecture program takes place in the conference section.
From Dresden city center, tram line 10 takes you to the venue in about 15 minutes. Get off at “Dresden Messe” – it’s a 5‑minute walk to Hall 1 and the registration desk.
If you’re arriving by car, paid and signposted parking is available. Direct access to the fairgrounds is only possible for exhibitors.
- 02
From Dresden city center, you can reach the venue in about 15 minutes using tram line 10. On weekdays it runs every 10–15 minutes, and on weekends every 15–30 minutes. Please get off at “Dresden Messe” – it’s about a 5‑minute walk to Hall 1 and the registration desk.
- 03
With a full registration, you’ll receive a free public transport ticket for Dresden (tram, bus, S‑Bahn). It’s valid from March 25–29, 2026 and will be sent to you by email before the event. The ticket is valid only within the Dresden city area and must be shown together with an ID.
Day tickets do not include public transport.
- 04
Yes, you can arrive by car. There are signposted paid parking areas available. Please note: Direct access to the fairgrounds is not possible – except for exhibitors. More information is available on the Messe Dresden website: https://www.messe-dresden.de/en/visitors/arrival-parking.
- 05
Yes, you can also enter the fairgrounds via the final stop and the main entrance. However, you can only pick up your registration materials in the designated conference area.
- 06
In the conference area you’ll find the registration desk, an info point, a small lost‑and‑found, and a plant hotel where you can temporarily store purchased orchids. These areas are accessible only to registered conference participants.
- 07
The info point and the plant hotel are open from Thursday, March 26 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm each day.
Please note: Plants must be picked up by 6:00 pm each day. Overnight storage is not possible.
- 08
You can book hotels through the portal on our WOC website. Go to https://www.woc-2026.com/de/registration and scroll down to “Travel and Accommodation.”
- 09
Weather in Germany in March can vary a lot: daytime temperatures may reach 20°C (68°F), but it can also drop to –10°C (14°F). Make sure to bring warm clothing. You can check current weather information on any major weather website.
- 10
In Germany, you can often pay with credit or debit cards, and sometimes with PayPal. However, some purchases require cash. There is an ATM at the venue’s info point, but it may run empty during peak times.
At the orchid sales area of the World Orchid Conference, some vendors accept card payments, but not all. In restaurants, it’s best to ask in advance whether cards are accepted.
We recommend withdrawing cash at a bank before coming to the venue or before shopping in the city.
- 11
The Registration Desk is open at the following times:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026: 3:00–6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 25, 2026: 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Thursday, March 26 to Sunday, March 29, 2026: 9:00 am–6:00 pm
You can pick up your badge during these hours.
- 12
The orchid exhibition is open from Thursday, March 26 to Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day.
- 13
Yes. Registered conference participants have access to the exhibition and sales area from 9:00 am between March 26 and March 29, 2026.
- 14
The sales booths follow the same opening hours as the exhibition (10:00 am–6:00 pm).
Additionally, they are open exclusively for registered participants on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 3:00–6:00 pm, giving you the chance to browse plants before general access begins.
- 15
You can find the list of exhibitors at https://www.woc-2026.com/de/exhibition.
The lecture program is available at https://www.woc-2026.com/de/presentations.
- 16
Local authorities will support us in issuing CITES documents and phytosanitary certificates required for exporting plants from the EU. However, capacity is very limited.
- 17
In Germany and across the EU, you can reach emergency services by calling 112.
Emergency services are also reachable via the international number 911.
During the opening hours of “Dresdner Ostern” (Thursday–Sunday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm), paramedics are present on the fairgrounds and can also be reached via 112.
- 18
You can find the top ten sights here: https://www.dresden.de/de/tourismus/sehen/sehenswuerdigkeiten/top-ten.php
It’s recommended to check whether tickets need to be booked online in advance, as some attractions may sell out at the ticket counter.