Orlando, Fla. — Michael Schrader, floral director for Schnuck Markets Inc., St. Louis, Mo., received Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 2016 Floral Marketer of the Year award on Saturday evening, Oct. 15, at the annual floral reception, which took place during PMA’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo.
Established in 1981, this year marks the 36th anniversary of the Floral Marketer of the Year award. It recognizes a floral professional, outstanding in leadership and innovation, who has served the mass-market floral industry with dedication, distinction and excellence.
Schrader was presented the award by 2015 award winner Bonnie Armellini, owner of Gems Group, Miami.
“He is highly regarded personally by coworkers and colleagues and is lauded professionally as a forward-thinking floral designer and a visionary industry leader,” Armellini said.
As director of floral, Schrader oversees merchandising and operations for 99 full-service floral departments in five states and the central design center for Schnuck Florist and Gifts in St. Louis. He has been involved in the floral business for more than 30 years and previously served as chairman of PMA’s Floral Council.
Armellini quoted Schrader’s co-workers who spoke of his personal qualities of passion, good and caring personality, cheerfulness and optimistic warmth, as well as his professional strengths of having both creative and business savvy.
Proof of Schrader’s vision comes from one of his co-workers who spoke of one of Schrader’s business goals to have flowers in every home. “And that colleague has no doubt that he will make that happen, because Schrader has since inspired all his colleagues to the same goal, because that’s what great leaders do. They inspire,” Armellini said, quoting the co-worker.
“Schrader has made significant contributions to the mass-market floral industry as a volunteer leader, including to this organization,” Armellini concluded.
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
