Why is it called a "Conference" pear?

I'll tell you why.. it all begins waay back at a Victorian nursery called Rivers of Sawbridgeworth. Bred out of a belgian cooking pear, the Leon le Clare de Laval. The first orchard was planted in 1895, in Kent. Mr River's was so pleased with his creation that he exhibited it at the International Pear Conference (yes indeed) in Chiswick (obviously!). Here, it was awarded the only 1st class certificate and so, the judges requested it be named in honour of the occasion, and so it was.