" A World of Flowers '' was bursting at the seams with excitement , blueprint natural endowment and attendees . The group discussion brought over 370 attendees this twelvemonth , representing 16 dissimilar country as well as Ontario , Canada . With a full docket admit business seminar , purpose classes , primary stage shows , the swap show story as well as web with fellow industry professionals , visitors stayed extremely busy .
A World of Flowers entry exhibit
Attendees leave replete with new product ideas from the 34 swap show seller , fresh intention ideas from the design contest and chief stage shows , and newfangled business strategies share by our industry experts !
Back by democratic demand was the Friday night Mix & Mingle , which allow for attendees the opportunity to meet new people and web with fellow industry professionals , all while playing Bingo for prizes that include the grand trophy of a Certified Florist ( CF ) manual with one round of examination .
Saturday was a day filled with Hands - On design classes boast Sympathy , Weddings , Photography and societal media hint . Kate Penn , Derrick Myers , Tim Huckabee , Shirley Lyons , Bob Negen , Renato Sogueco , Jackie Lacey and ladies from Flower Clique all shared cutting border business organization tips with the attender .
Kate Holton and Amber Kirkland
Saturday evening ’s Recognition Banquet featured flowered design using blossom from around the world . New Certified Florists ( CF ) were celebrated , and the 2024 Design Contest winner were announce . GLFA Industry honor present at the banquet included :
Lifetime Achievement : Tim Galea , Norton ’s Flowers & Gifts , Ypsilanti , MI
National Service : Derrick Myers , Crockett Myers & Associates , Glen Burnie , MD
Retailer of the class : Beautiful Blooms by Jen , Sylvania , OH
Retail Employee of the yr : Carol Simmermeyer , Four Seasons Florist , Brookville , IN
Wholesale Employee of the twelvemonth : Jessica Regentin , Kennicott Brothers Company , Warren , MI
Young Person of the Year : Kymbra Tucker CF , Banner Flower House , Kokomo , IN
Special Recognition : Tony Vear , Mains Importing , Hillsdale , MI
Special Recognition : Ron Chludil , Denver Wholesale Florist , Flint , MI
GLFA Past Presidents Award shop at by Floriology power by BloomNet – Samantha Belonga , St. Ignace In Bloom , St. Ignace , Michigan .
Samantha Belonga
Sunday arrived quickly with another day packed with hands - on workshop , occupation sessions and main leg appearance . The weekend had something for everyone ! The Sunday Luncheon and Annual meeting contribute everyone together to reexamine the Association ’s retiring yr and share a hot plated lunch . Attendees were inspired by Dr. Breigh Jones - Coplin ’s Keynote savoir-faire : Soil to ego : bring up , Growth , Empowerment , and blossom our Roots . After our Keynote , Jerome Raska AAF , AIFD , CF , and PFCI ask everyone to position a flower into a big urn along with a toast to donate to the Great Lakes Floral Foundation . Together , we raised over $ 4000 to corroborate the education of future florists and assure the futurity of our industriousness .
Samantha Belonga CF of St. Ignace in Bloom , St. Ignace , Michigan , and Chairman of 2025 GLFEE would care to invite you to give ear the 2025 GLFEE " Ignite & Inspire " February 28 - March 2 , 2025 , at the Amway Grand Plaza and Devos Place , Grand Rapids , Michigan . " I am very frantic to start planning for 2025 GLFEE . We ’ll have cutting - sharpness design shows and business school term that will not only " Ignite " but " Inspire " your passion for the floral industry ; whether you ’re a room decorator or vendor , I promise you wo n’t be disappointed ! " Full details coming shortly at www.glfee.com . Visit our Facebook page to reckon all 2024 GLFEE photos .
The Great Lakes Floral Association is a full - serve trade wind organization symbolize more than 400 florist shop , growers , and wholesalers . Located in Haslett , Michigan , GLFA offers group rescue on insurance and credit identity card processing ; is the presenter of the Certified Florist ( CF ) syllabus ; creates and hosts the yearly Great Lakes Floral & Event Expo ; carry on educational seminar throughout the year at the association headquarters and various other deftness ; bring out The Professional Florist magazine ; hosts the GLFA and GLFEE web site and interacts with commonwealth / federal government agencies .
For more entropy : Great Lakes Floral Associationwww.greatlakesfloralassociation.orgwww.glfee.com
