It’s almost here — the third annual Slow Flowers Summit, 12 months in the making! We announced the venue and dates at the conclusion of last year’s Summit . . . and shifted immediately into planning what is promising to be a fabulous 2019 gathering of flower-minded creatives like you!
The Slow Flowers Summit “officially” takes place on Monday, July 1st and Tuesday, July 2nd, with Sunday, June 30th set aside as a bonus day of flower farm touring and almost-sold-out Slow Flowers Dinner on the Farm.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? If you are hoping to attend and need just a little sign from the universe that you should join us . . . here it is! Debra Prinzing is offering a secret $50-off promo code for the first 10 of you who ask for it! Email Debra here for the deets! debraprinzing@gmail.com
1. Inspiring Programming! We have 10 fabulous speakers, experts in their fields and experts as teachers and communicators. Get ready to have your mind, heart and soul uplifted, challenged, encouraged and motivated. Read more about our speakers and their presentations. And by the way, due to the intimate size of the Summit attendance, you will have a chance to meet our speakers personally. That’s one of the key benefits of being part of our Slow Flowers Community.
2. Authentic Connections. We just mentioned speaker connections, but the chance to be part of a floral “mind meld” will wow you. You will join with kindred spirits who are also curious and eager to learn and explore new ideas. Making IRT connections is a top-cited benefit, according to past Summit attendees.
3. Creative Floral Designs. We’ll help you take your floristry to the next level, with demonstrations from Tobey Nelson, Carly Jenkins and Whit McClure. Then, once your ideas are stoked from the stage, you’ll have a chance to put them into action — join with other attendees and the speakers to produce a large-scale, foam-free floral sculpture using seasonal, domestic and foraged botanicals. It’s going to be Instagram-worthy, we promise!
4. Meet the Flower Farmers. Summit-goers, get ready for inspo, direct from the fields and greenhouses of Minnesota flower farmers! First, on Sunday, June 30th, you’ll have a chance to tour two amazing destinations as part of the pre-Summit tours of Blue Sky Flower Farm and Green Earth Growers. On Monday, July 1st, you’ll hear all about seeding and forming a regional floral hub from Christine Hoffman (Minnesota), Kelly Morrison (North Carolina) and Amanda Maurman (Michigan) during their panel presentation.
5. Delish Meals & Refreshments. Local fare, healthy choices and signature cocktails. Do we need to say anything more? Our event manager Karen Thornton has lined up fabulous local caterers and purveyors to make sure your tastebuds will be pleased and that you’ll be fueled with nourishing options all day on Monday and Tuesday! And we’re tickled to announce thatTattersall Distilling, a local Twin Cities craft maker of spirits and liqueurs, has signed on to pour their “Mayapple” cocktail for Slow Flowers Summit attendees!
6. Meet the Authors. Three authors will be on hand at our book table to chat with you and sign copies of their books. Meet Debra Prinzing, author of The 50 Mile Bouquet and Slow Flowers; Teresa Sabankaya, author of The Posy Book; and Lisa Mason Ziegler, author ofCool Flowers and Vegetables Love Flowers. Read more about our book table here.
7. Tour Twin Cities Flower Exchange. We mentioned “meet the flower farmer” as a cool facet of Sunday, June 30th and Monday, July 1st, but wait! There’s even more! On Tuesday, July 2nd, the morning kicks off with a light breakfast and visit to see the innovative Twin Cities Flower Exchange, located at The Good Acre, where founder Christine Hoffman will introduce us to the flower farmers and their crops that make this place a must-shop spot for florist and event designers. P.S., flower lovers will enjoy a special presentation from Ashley Fox on her personal approach to shopping The Exchange. She’ll also treat us to a floral demonstration using all-local blooms available that day!
8. See the last rose-grower in the Midwest. We’re thrilled that Len Busch Roses has invited Summit attendees to spend Tuesday afternoon, July 2nd, surrounded by Midwest-grown flowers. With the tagline: “Minnesota Grown and Wildly Fragrant,” Len Busch Roses is the only remaining major grower of roses and other cut flowers in the central part of the U.S. In addition to hybrid tea and spray roses, the farm produces alstroemeria, lilies, tulips, snapdragons, gerberas and potted flowering plants — more than 7 million stems and pots are grown annually under 15 acres of greenhouses. Box lunches are provided by Longfield Gardens and bus transportation is provided by Len Busch Roses, to/from Twin Cities Flower Exchange.
9. Take Home Great Swag. Our friend Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers keynoted the 2018 Summit and this year she’s back as an attendee (yay!). Thank you, Christina, for sharing your cloth tote with the Farmgirl Flowers logo for containing our Summit Swag! We love that each tote will be filled with cool goodies and resources! Seed packets, floral design essentials, gift cards and more — with thanks from our sponsors to you for attending the Slow Flowers Summit.
10. Avoid FOMO. Don’t have Fear-Of-Missing-Out! This will be an amazing experience for all who attend and we want you to join us! There are limited tickets available and you can grab yours here.
