ALEXANDRIA, Va. – J M.H. Schwanke AIFD, AAF, PFCI, WFC, CMG, was honored for lifetime achievement in floral presentation when the Society of American Florists (SAF) Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI) presented him with the 2010 Tommy Bright Award on Sept. 23. The honor was conferred during SAF Orlando 2010, the Society of American Florists' (SAF) 126th Annual Convention in Orlando.
“J is an enthusiastic leader in the floral industry, and an innovative marketer,” said PFCI Chairman Jerome Raska, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CAFA, MCF, owner of Blumz…by JRDesigns in Detroit and Ferndale, Mich. “He is one of the most charismatic and sought after floral educators in the industry and more importantly a resource for others to look toward and learn from.”
First presented in 1967, the Tommy Bright Award honors PFCI members of distinction. It is named after Ethel “Tommy” Bright whose motto “Learn More, Teach Others” embraces PFCI's objectives. PFCI is the floral industry’s speakers bureau, a network of professional floral business educators certified by SAF.
J. Schwanke AAF, AIFD, PFCI, WFC, CMG
J Schwanke’s reputation in the floral industry is far reaching. He is an educator, presenter, businessman and an Internet personality. He has presented across the country for floral trade associations, wholesale operations, national markets, and conventions.
As the owner of J M H S Enterprises, Inc., a consulting and marketing company in Grand Rapids, Mich., Schwanke develops creative products and marketing plans, guides trend forecasting and produces educational videos and classes to advance education and profits in all facets of the floral industry. He teaches enthusiasts and professionals alike through JTV, the first Web-based show about flowers, and www.ubloom.com. His Floral University Network is a traveling one day intense training “boot camp” for florists specializing in weddings, sympathy sales, holiday preparation, color and marketing.
Schwanke entered the floral industry before he was born. His parents, Mel and Joey, are third-generation owners of Greens Greenhouses & Treasure House in Fremont, Neb. Mel has held executive leadership posts in several industry organizations including SAF. J was born during a floral convention in Nebraska. When he was three, Schwanke appeared in Greens Greenhouses advertisements. He grew up helping around the flower shop and going with his family to floral industry conventions where he watched floral presentations. When he was 19, he traveled with his parents to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing where he attended floral designing seminars.
He studied at the Cliff Mann School of Floral Technology, which is now Trim International Floral School, in Denver, Colo., and the Phil Rulloda School of Advance Floral Design. Schwanke earned a bachelor’s in marketing and public relations from Midland College in Midland, Texas.
Schwanke joined his family’s business in 1976 and directed operations from 1981 through 1994 where consumer sales reached an all time high of more than $1 million.
In 1994, Schwanke moved to Atlanta to begin an independent career as a floral marketing consultant and industry spokesperson. Since then, he has worked for many of the industry’s leading companies, including The Heeney Company, The Dallas Market Center, Cowee Pick Company, The John Henry Company, Smithers-Oasis Company, DESIGN MASTER Color Tool, Inc., FloraCraft, Acolyte Industries. Inc., and Eufloria Flowers.
Schwanke is the first third generation AAF member (following his Grandfather “Carnation” Joe Green and both parents) and the only second-generation member of PFCI. His mother received the 2003 Tommy Bright Award in honor of her achievements in floral presentation. Schwanke has served on the AIFD board of directors.
For information on the Tommy Bright Award, please contact SAF's Jenny Scala at (800) 336-4743 or jscala@safnow.org. For photographs from the Industry Awards Dinner, contact SAF's Shelley Estersohn at (800) 336-4743, or sestersohn@safnow.org.
Source: Society of American Florists
