Born and raised in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, Watson graduated from Macalester College in 1965 and pursued a career in the hotel/hospitality industry for the next 20 years. In 1985, he formed his own hotel-consulting firm, Watson & Reynolds, to assist property owners in repositioning and re-establishing older individual hotels.

Watson purchased his first orchid in 1971, but it was not until 10 years later that he became seriously bitten by the orchid bug. From a few plants to the formation of Gemstone Orchids, with business partner Harvey Filister, in 1991, Watson has been ever increasingly involved in the world of orchids.

Gemstone Orchids hybridizes and raises novelty phalaenopsis orchids for the novice to serious orchid fancier. The company grows over 25,000 orchids utilizing 100% artificial light.

A fully accredited American Orchid Society judge, Watson is an active member of the Orchid Society of Minnesota, having served in almost all elected positions since 1980.

Serving at the Mid-America Judging Center in St. Louis, he is currently in his fourth year as Training Coordinator.

After five years as Treasurer and two as First Vice President, Watson was elected President of The Mid-America Orchid Congress in 1997 and re-elected in 1998.

A member of the AOS Affiliated Societies Liaison Committee since 1996, Watson accepted the chairmanship in October 1998. He is also active in the International Phalaenopsis Alliance as a frequent contributor to its newsletter and serving as Recording Secretary from 1996-1998.

A registered speaker for the AOS and Mid-America, Watson's topics range from Cattleya and Laelia species; growing under lights and numerous topics related to Phalaenopsis and beginning orchid growing. His personal orchid collection consists primarily of Cattleya, Laelia, Paphiopedilum, and Lycaste species and hybrids. Since 1991, Watson is devoted fulltime to his once hobby of orchids.

As an added treat, Doug Watson will have plants for sale at our meeting.