OIDFA CONGRESSES

Congresses are currently held every two years in a country chosen by Council members from the bids put forward by the Council members of those countries wishing to hold a Congress.
Bids are made six years prior to the Congress to allow sufficient time for preparation. 

The Congress is held from Friday to Sunday included. There is no fixed format for Congresses but the purpose of a Congress is to enable the General Assembly (see below) to take place. It is normal for there to be exhibitions of lace by member countries and OIDFA Work and Study groups, as well as exhibitions of local laces; lectures of interest to lacemakers; trips to museums and places of local interest. 
Many suppliers from different countries have an area to sell their materials, which are often specific for the country they come from.

The Congress is usually preceded by workshops of three to four days in laces of the host country and followed by a four or five-day tour of the country to places of particular interest to lacemakers.

The General Assembly consists of all members and meets every two years to hear and approve the reports of the Executive Committee concerning the Work Groups, the Bulletin and the general running of OIDFA and its business.  It also approves the Financial Report  and accepts the audited accounts of OIDFA for the preceeding two years.  When necessary it is asked to approve decisions made by the Executive Committee and the Council to enhance the running of the association.

The OIDFA Congresses