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2010 Southern Retail Florists Convention Promo Video

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!

Floral Design Competitions: 2010 Mid-America Invitational Cup

Yesterday we talked about the 2010 Arkansas Cup Competition, so today it’s an even BIGGER competition. The 2010 Mid-America Invitational Cup took place at the Arkansas Florists Association’s Annual Convention. The prestigious floral design competition challenged State Cup winners from 7 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Who was this years winner? Kay Schaefli from Expressions Flowers in Fort Smith Arkansas! Kay was competing as Arkansas’ State Cup winner. Congratulations Kay!!

Flower Shop Network’s headquarters are in Arkansas, and although we are big fans of all local florists, we are VERY excited Kay won the cup representing Arkansas!

This post is brought to you by local Fort Smith AR florists.
Not in Fort Smith? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of real local florists to find a flower shop near you!

Arkansas’ Next Top Designer: The Arkansas Cup Competition

2010 Arkansas Cup

The 2010 Arkansas Cup Competition at the Arkansas State Florist’s Convention in Hot Springs AR is just one of the many State Cup competitions going on this summer. Winning your state’s cup earns you the title of Designer of the Year and is a high honor for any local florist!

In this video, we take you on a brief tour of the entries for the 2010 Arkansas Cup. Each participant this year was asked to create a wedding package, a surprise package and a sympathy package using the tools and flowers available. Although there can be only one winner, all of the floral designs looked remarkable!

Bitsy Carter of Hope Floral, Arkansas’ Floral Designer of the Year and winner of the Arkansas Cup, will go on to compete for Arkansas in the 2011 Mid-America Invitational Cup. The Mid-America Cup competition challenges state cup winners from 7 states to find out who will be Mid-America’s Next Top Floral Designer… (Sounds like an interesting reality show to me!)

Competing in your State Cup competition is easier than you’d think! The competitions usually take place at your state florist association’s convention. Find your your state florist association’s website and look for upcoming competitions to find out how YOU can be in the running for next year!

This post is brought to you by local Hot Springs AR florists.
Not in Hot Springs? Find your real local florist with Flower Shop Network‘s handy local florist directory.

FSN at the Arkansas Florists Association’s Nightmare on Convention Boulevard

This past weekend was the Arkansas Florists Association‘s 58th Annual Convention themed: Nightmare on Convention Boulevard. Florist’s from all over the area came together to get their ‘freak’ on— literally, with costume contests, Halloween decorating programs and other scare-themed programs and floral design workshops.

The competition for the coveted Arkansas Cup took place and we are proud to announce that our awesome member Bitsy Carter, from Hope Floral, took home the prize! (More coverage on that later!)

In this video, our rep Cindy talks with upcoming AFA President and local Hot Springs AR florist, Terry Bates, about whats a-buzz at the convention. He also lets us in on the theme for the 2011 Arkansas Florists Association Convention… Watch the video to find out!

This post is brought to you by local Hot Springs AR florists.
Not in Hot Springs? Use Flower Shop Network‘s handy online directory of real local florists to find your local florist today!

Frank Feysa on Floral Masks and Wedding Upgrades

Flower Shop Network sat down with Frank Feysa, AIFD to talk about his hands-on workshops at the Tennessee State Florists Association Convention.

His first workshop was masquerade themed. Attendants were able to create their own mask for the ‘Mask’querade later that night. Florists created all sorts of designs using fresh flowers, sticks, berries, feathers, wire and more!

The second workshop was all about wedding upgrades and how to take what you’re doing now and upgrade to something more dynamic and polished.

Check out the video for lots of great info, photos and tips from the top! Thanks Frank!

Interview With Anita Ausenbaugh the Regional Director – Tennessee Florists Association

Flower Shop Network sat down with Anita Ausenbaugh, the regional director of the Tennessee Florists Association at the 2010 TNSFA’s annual convention in Nashville, TN.

Anita talks about working in her flower shop for 19 years, working with the Tennessee Florists Association, the fun at the convention and more!

This post is brought to you by local Antioch, TN florists.

FSN At The 2010 Tennessee State Florist Convention

Flower Shop Network spent this past weekend at the Tennessee State Florists Convention. (Aug 6-8) There, we saw some unique and beautiful designs from some of the top floral artists in the country. Anything from new ways to use our glass vases, to incorporating unique elements like shells, garden vegetables, and more!

There were also great ideas for Christmas decor. Hey — it’s never too early for Christmas! The dinners and presentations were outstanding! The “Mask”querade was a big hit amongst the florists! The vendors in the trade show had lots of great, new products and tons of free swag. We had a lot of fun and got to talk to some fabulous people and met some of our great friends!

Keep an eye on our Bloomin’ Blog for more media from the Tennessee State Florist Convention coming SOON!

FSN sends a special thanks to everyone at the Tennessee State Florist Association!

Interview With Mary McCarthy From The Blooming Idea, TX

Recently, Flower Shop Network attended the Texas State Florists Association‘s annual convention in San Marco Texas. While there, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with some fabulous local florists — including one of our favorite FSN members, Mary McCarthy from The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, TX.

Mary and her team are great examples of local florists working hard to promote themselves online. Check out The Blooming Idea blog where they post incredible photos of their recent floral design work. Not only do they keep their customers informed on their blog, but their Facebook is blooming as well! Keep up the GREAT work guys! Thanks for being great members!

This post was brought to you by local San Antonio, Texas florists.

Interview With Kym Erickson At The Texas State Florists Association Convention — “The Green Life”

Mandy Maxwell, FSN and Kym Erickson

Mandy Maxwell, from Flower Shop Network, sets down Kym Erickson at the Texas State Florists Association Convention to discuss her take-aways from the floral show. Lots of great presenters, and fantastic new info for even the most veteran florist.

Kym also talks about her work with the Minnesota State Florists Association and their upcoming conference in October. Maybe you were too far from Texas to attend this one, but there is sure to be a floral convention in YOUR area! It is important to attend these shows, not only for you as a designer, but also for the floral industry all together.

Interview With Patrick Berry At The Texas State Florists Association Convention — “The Green Life”

Mandy Maxwell from FSN interviewing Patrick Berry, Upcoming Texas State Florists Association VP

Over the weekend, Flower Shop Network attended the 2010 Texas State Florist Association‘s conference “The Green Life.” We had the wonderful opportunity to catch a quick interview with the upcoming TSFA Vice President, Patrick Berry. Here he talks about this years theme and what it takes to put on such an incredible show. He also stresses the importance of coming to shows like this for local florists. We hope to see you at next years event!

Or, watch on Flower Shop Network’s YouTube Channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!