This year's Great Lakes Floral Expo was a big hit! Flower Shop Network had a fantastic time meeting many of our Northern florist friends.

In the above video, Loranne Atwill of Flower Shop Network interviews Rod Crittenden, executive vice president of the Michigan Floral Association. Rod tells FSN followers all about the incredible show they've set up this year. Florists enjoyed an amazing design contest, 7 design workshops and an all-day workshop by J. Swanke. There were 10 business sessions, 6 stage design shows, and more! (View video on YouTube)

As a florist, it's so important to stay on our heels when it comes to business. Attending these floral conferences is the best way to stay ahead in this industry.

We can't wait to see YOU at our next convention!

Just a reminder, the ISFA 2011 Spring Conference is THIS WEEKEND!

Plan on coming to the largest educational event the ISFA has ever sponsored.

Learn from industry favorites: J.Schwanke, Kevin Ylvsaker, Bill Harper, Danny Whitehurst, and Frank Feysa! Attend great educational and hands-on classes for every skill level.

• Come and learn with the industry leaders
• Increase your knowledge!
• Give yourself the tools to survive in this economy

Come to the Illinois Florist Convention for what is sure to be a FANTASTIC show! Illinois florists, are encouraged to attend! Everyone, especially

Live too far to attend this great floral design show? Find a florist convention to attend in your area!

The Great Lakes Floral Expo

Friday March 4th — Sunday March 6th, 2011

DeVos Center – Grand Rapids, MI

Just a reminder, the Great Lakes Floral Expo is coming up THIS WEEKEND!

The Great Lakes Floral Expo is one of the nation's premier floral shows. Hosted by the Michigan Floral Association and held at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids. This show is a must attend event to those in the floral industry. This event is unique in the floral industry because it is held in conjunction with the West Michigan Home and Garden Show and there are events for the general public.

The Michigan Floral Association brings together the TALENT of floral industry experts to showcase today's top trends and the up-to-date information all florists need to know. Come join us and see every show! For more information, visit their website.

The Flower Shop Network crew will be there!
Be sure to visit our booth at the trade show! We can't wait to meet you!

Just a reminder, these shows will be here before you know it!

MARCH 2011 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

March 2-May 15, 2011: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be held at the Epcot Theme Park in Orlando, Florida. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are welcome to attend.

March 4-6, 2011: The Georgia State Florists Association Convention will be held at the Sea Palm Resort St. Simons Island, Georgia. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are welcome to attend.

* March 4-6, 2011: The 2011 Great Lakes Expo will be held at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Florists and other industry professionals are welcome to attend.

March 5-13, 2011: The Chicago Flower Show will be held at the Navy Pier district in Chicago, Illinois. Florists, gift shop managers, gardeners and floral industry professionals will benefit from attending.

March 6-13, 2011: The 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Florists, gardeners and flower lovers will enjoy this show.

March 9-13: 2011: The Portland Flower Show will be held in Portland, Maine. Florists and flower lovers alike are welcome to attend.

* March 10-13, 2011: The Illinois State Florist Association Convention will be held in Springfield, Illinois. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

* March 12-13, 2011: The Northeast Floral Expo will be held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Florists and other industry professionals are welcome to attend.

March 15-20, 2011: Canada Blooms: Flower & Garden Festival will be held this year at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Florists, industry professionals and flower lovers alike are welcome to attend. Continue reading "March Flower Shows & Florist Conventions" »

We just got back from the Florida State Florists' Association's Mid-Season floral convention. The theme of the show was FLOWERADE – Hydrate and Refuel Your Creativity and the florists attending really did get refueled with creativity! Flower Shop Network also sponsored designer Anthony Swick, CFD, FSMD, during his Floral Mechanics presentation.

Other presentations from the Florida Flowerade Convention included:

• Hand-Tied By Design, a hands-on class by Sylvia Bird, AIFD
• The Green Thumb — Growing Your Plant Sales by Christina Brown, horticulture specialist
• How To Market Your Wedding Biz by Jacob McCall and Bobby Kyser
• Weddings A-Z by Deborah De La Flor, AIFD, PFCI
• Creative Foliage Accents a hands-on class by Dan Hathcock, AIFD, ISES
• Perfect Parties & Exceptional Events by Alex Jackson, AIFD, PFCI

As you can see, there is a lot to learn for florists at your state conventions. It's always good to come out and meet others in your industry, but also take home some much needed inspiration and FLOWERADE!

Also at the Florida State Florists' Convention this year, was their floral design contest, Save Your Sole a shoe art competition. I know what you're thinking, shoe art? YES! Well, shoe art with flowers! Just take a look at these amazing pictures from the event:

It's easy to see why florists have SO MUCH FUN at their job. The winner of this competition received $200! If you're a florist and have never attended a state convention,  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! Continue reading "FLOWERADE – Hydrate Your Creativity with the Florida State Florists Convention" »

Congratulations to Robbin Yelverton AIFD, CF, PFCI

Over the weekend (Oct 2-4), the National Alliance of Floral Associations had their annual conference in Columbus, Ohio. The National Floral Designer of the Year competition also took place at this event! The competition was fierce, but Robbin Yelverton AIFD, CF, PFCI came away with the win! Robbin is co-owner of Blumz… by JRDesigns in Detroit/Ferndale MI. Big congratulations go to Robbin from everyone here at Flower Shop Network!

Florists: We would also like to say 'thank you' to ALL florists who attended this or any other florist association convention this year. (Maybe even more than one!) It is very important to get out and support your industry! You will take away years worth of fabulous ideas, tips, trends and more from just one day at a convention like this! We got to meet a lot of you at the conventions we were able to attend, and hope to make even more friends next year!!

Photo courtesy of the Michigan Florists Association's Facebook Page. Don't forget to mark your calendars for their conference, The Great Lakes Floral Expo, coming up in March!

This post is brought to you by local Columbus OH florists.
Not in Columbus? No problem! Use Flower Shop Network's handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

Flora Tashia or "The Art of Flowers" was the theme for this years 2010 Alabama State Florists Association's annual convention, and what a great show it was! Tons of great presentations, amazing hands-on workshops by industry stars, floral design competitions — all in the most beautiful little place in Alabama, Guntersville State Park. Here are a few pictures and winners from the event:

Congratulations to Emily Pruett — Winner of the Designer Of the Year competition at Alabama State Florist Association.

Amazing work by one of our great members, Shirley Carmack of Shirley's Florist Inc. This was a design for the Alabama Cup Competition. The theme was "Paint Me A Picture." Incredible artistry!

New ideas for heart-shaped funeral sprays from the Alabama State Florists Convention.

Unique bouquet using wool.

If you missed it this year, be sure to follow our Floral Shows & Conventions page to see when next year's event will be!

This post was brought to you by local Guntersville AL florists.
Not in Guntersville? No worries, use Flower Shop Network's directory of real local florists to find a florist near YOU!

You and your entourage have been cordially invited by the Iowa Florists Association to attend their 107th annual convention — Designing With The Stars! The event takes place September 17th, 18th & 19th at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA

Pamper yourselves with a weekend of opulence and beauty as you watch industry stars. Experience the latest in trends, colors, and styles for the new season as you stroll along Vendor Industry Boulevard. The top agents in the area all eager to help you achieve success and rise to the top with award winning products and services. Enhance your shop with fresh flowers and more at the IFA Scholarship Auction. Secure the industries future with your generous contributions to the Marcia Goodman Scholarship Fund.

There's plenty of great things to do at the 2010 Iowa Florists Association Convention:

• Hands-on Floral Design Classes
• Presentations from top floral industry designers!
• The "Iowa Premier Cup" Competition
• A "Designing With The Stars" Floral Design Competition (Very interesting!)
• Trade Show Shopping
• Flower Auction – Proceeds going to the Marcia Goodman Scholarship Fund
• FOOD!
• Plus so much more!

Flower Shop Network and Suzanne Baillie talk about the exciting events going on at the Southern Retail Florists Convention in Concord, NC. Florists from 17 states visit this show— lots of great networking opportunities for florists. There are competitions, hands-on workshops, educational presentations, marketing seminars, and much, much more!

No matter where you live, there is bound to be a floral show near you! We hope every florist has the chance to visit at least one show this year! Just listen to all of the great things you can do:

This post was brought to you by local florists in Concord, NC.
Not in Concord? Use Flower Shop Network's handy directory to find YOUR real local florist.

Over the weekend, Flower Shop Network attended the 61st annual Southern Retail Florists Convention in Concord, North Carolina. While there, we saw hundreds of unique and creative floral designs, learned lots at the symposium presentations and hands-on workshops, and were inspired by the design interpretations of the prestigious Harwood Cup Competition.

I will be posting blogs all this week highlighting some of the great ideas we got to see and learn about at the event — bridal bouquet trends, sushi flowers, mini arrangements — Plus great coverage of the unique Harwood Cup Floral Design Interpretation Competition, and much, much more!
These events are very important for florists to come out and enjoy! Get in touch with YOUR industry – support your floral shows!