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Spring Flower Shows & Conventions

Have you started planning your schedule for the 2012 flower shows and florist conventions?? It’s only January, but the list of great shows this year is filling up! If you want to see the most incredible floral ART possible, learn edge-winning design techniques, have a whole lot of fun and fill up on inspiration, attending a floral convention is a MUST!

Take a look at these great upcoming shows!

JANUARY 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

January 22, 2012: The Florida State Florists’ Association Design Summit will be held this year at Oscar G. Carlstedts Co. Wholesale, Pensacola, FL. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

Flower Shop Network at the Texas State Florist Convention 2011FEBRUARY 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

February 3 – 5, 2012: The Kentucky Florists’ Association 55th Annual Convention will be held at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort, KY. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

February 8 – 12, 2012: The Northwest Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

February 9 – 12, 2012: The Maymont Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

February 23 – 26, 2012: The Road Island Spring Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

MARCH 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

March 2 – 4, 2012: The Arkansas Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, AR. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are welcome to attend.

March 2 – 4, 2012: The 2012 Great Lakes Expo will be held at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Florists and other industry professionals are welcome to attend.

[Read more…]

FSN Events: Video From The Tennessee State Florist Association Convention

Yesterday in the blog we shared a little bit about our recent trip to the  Tennessee State Florist Association Convention, but today we’re taking you along for the ride!

I (Mandy FSN) kept my video camera with me as I strolled through the convention. I set out to make a video for our florist friends who couldn’t make it to this particular convention, so they could be part of this event too. Hope you enjoy!

Would like to say a special thanks to everyone who helped out with this video!

Terry Chapple
Karen Ramsey from Miller’s Florist in Madison TN
Janet Frye from The Enchanted Florist in Asheville NC
Rae Roberts-Griffith from True Colors Artistry in Springfield IL
Regina Berryman from Horn Lake, MS
Roddy Bird from Roddy’s Flowers in Johnson City TN

And EVERYONE else who was at this year’s Tennessee State Florist Association’s Convention! Hope to see you next year!

FSN Events: Tennessee State Florist Convention 2011

Mandy FSN at the Flower Shop Network Booth

I just got back yesterday from the Tennessee State Florist Convention in Franklin TN, and what an amazing show! My head is still spinning with all sorts of floral design inspiration which I will do my best to share with our awesome followers and friends! But first, let’s do a quick recap of the show!

Tennessee State Florist Convention Entry Way Design

This is the show-stopping design that greeted you as you walked through the doors of the convention. I can’t even describe to you how big those lilies were, and the bells of Ireland looked as if they were waving “hello” to newcomers, inviting them to join the fun!

Christmas Trends At The Tennessee State Florist Convention

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2011 Texas State Florist Association Convention Photos & Recap

Texas State Florist Convention Celebrates 20 Years

Just last weekend, a few from our team had the opportunity to attend the 20th annual Texas State Floral Association Convention in The Woodlands, TX!
The theme of the show this year was “FLOWERS… The Opportunities are Alive” and really emphasized taking the opportunities and chances with your work to make it over-the-top extraordinary.

Flower Shop Network Booth at Texas State Florist Convention

Here is Rebecca from the FSN team in front of our booth. She really enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by!

  Texas Cup Winner Shellie Jacob Texas Cup Winner - Winning Designs
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Texas Cup Winner Shellie Jacobs of Fresh by Brookshire in Tyler, TX.

FSN and Autumn Leaves Florist

The FSN Team, Rebecca and Amy, with one of our great members, Martha Krause of Autumn Leaves Florist in Cypress, TX.
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Upcoming June Florist Conventions

Attending a state florist convention is incredibly valuable for florists. You learn new tricks and trends, demo new products, learn new techniques from top designers and get business and marketing help from the pros. Why wouldn’t you want to attend!? Here are the shows coming up in June — convention season is just kicking off!

June 10-12, 2011: The Florida State Florists Association Convention will be hosted at the Marriott in Jacksonville, Florida. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.

June 22-22, 2011: The Society of American Florist (SAF) Growth Solutions will be held at the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport Marriott South in Dallas, TX. Florists and flower shop owners are invited to attend.

June 25-26, 2011: The Utah Professional Florists Association Convention will be held at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.

View More Florist Conventions & Flower Shows

If you know of a show we left out, let me know and I’ll add to the list! (Email me at social@flowershopnetwork.com)

FSN at the Great Lakes Expo 2011

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!

March Flower Shows & Florist Conventions

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. [Read more…]

FLOWERADE – Hydrate Your Creativity with the Florida State Florists Convention

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.

Anthony Swick Presenting For Flower Shop Network

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:

Save Your Sole, Shoe Art Competition

Shoe Art Flowers Floral Shoe Art Floral Shoe Art

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?! [Read more…]

Florists: What Great Things To Expect At Floral Conventions

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.

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!