Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association members will look "To The Future and Beyond" this March at the group's annual convention. The event is scheduled to take place March 24-26, 2017, at the Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.
New this year is the Friday main stage design show, "So You Want to be a Designer!" A select group of industry professionals with no design experience will be helped by qualified designers in creating a one of a kind arrangements. One novice designer will be declared champion of this "Chopped" program.
The second event on Friday will be an all-day hand-on workshop showing designers how to deal with the Gen Y or Millennial customer. Denise Gehrke, AIFD, PFCI, and Alan Master, AIFD will present it.
Other convention presenters are Jeff Corbin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI; Loriann List, AIFD; Joyce Mason-Monheim, AAF, AIFD, AzMF; Robbin Yelverton, AAF, AIFD, CF, PFCI, and Mark Anderson.
On Saturday, a full schedule of design shows, business sessions, and workshops will be held. Topics include 50 great ideas, building relationships with funeral directors, European influenced bouquets, and daily designs and shop operation.
The final Saturday main stage design show will be the Professional Designer of the Year Run Off presented by Susan Wilke, AAF, PFCI. The top three designers from the professional division design contest will compete. The winner will be announced at the gala Saturday night tropical luau banquet along with Hall of Fame winners, scholarship winners and design contest winners. Attendees are invited to dress for the occasion. There will be a contest for best hat and best Lei.
The design contest, itself, will take place earlier in the day. There is a student division, professional division, designer of the year contest, and Academy division. Competitors will receive certificates, cash awards, and recognition in The Professional Florist magazine. The banquet also is the perfect place to network with fellow florists.
Sunday's closing sessions will begin with a hands-on workshop on sympathy trends, followed by a business session on ways to improve your bottom line, and two design shows, one on sympathy, and one on weddings trends.
Sunday also will include the annual meeting luncheon where members will have the opportunity to meet the WUMFA board members, and present suggestions for future projects.
There will be plenty of time during the three days to wander through the trade fair and see what’s new. “Tips and Tricks” at various trade fair booths offers additional how-to hints using vendor products.
Florists are urged to register early. For registration information call (517) 253-7730, or go to the website http://www.wumfa.org/wumfa-annual-convention/.
The Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Florists Association is a full-service trade organization representing more than 150 florists, growers, and wholesalers located in Haslett, MI. For more information on WUMFA, visit www.wumfa.org.
Source: The Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Florists Association
