Bill and Muriel Olson are the 2016 recipients of the Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented at WUMFA's annual convention held in Green Bay. WUMFA Immediate Past President Diane Schulte, CF, WMFM accepted on Bill and Muriel’s behalf.
They began their career in the floral industry some 62 years ago in the basement of a farmstead home in rural Barneveld. After several moves they settled in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. He held positions in various organizations while she ran the day to day operations. In the early 1980s they built and opened Olson's Christmas House next door to the floral shop and received the Business of Excellence award by Madison Magazine in December, 1995.
They have been lifetime members of WUMFA. He has held the offices of president, secretary and treasurer as well as chaired committees and conventions. They are also previous Hall of Fame recipients.
The Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association is a full-service trade organization representing more than 150 florists, growers, and wholesalers statewide. Located in Haslett, Michigan, WUMFA offers group savings on insurance, financial services, retail bank card processing and supplies, office supplies, and fleet fueling; is the sponsor of the Certified Florist (CF) program; creates and hosts a statewide annual convention and trade show; conducts educational seminars throughout the year at various locations around the state; hosts the WUMFA web site, and interacts with state/ federal government agencies. For more information on WUMFA, visit their web site at www.wumfa.org.
Source: Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association
