Design shows, business sessions and networking highlighted this year’s Great Lakes Floral Expo, “Floral Fantasy.” The annual event, held in Grand Rapids, MI, attracted floral industry members from Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. The Michigan Floral Association, which sponsors the event, said that attendance was up 8 percent this year.

One of the most popular sessions was the annual contest to choose the MFA designer of the year. Winning the top spot, $300, and the opportunity to represent the association at the National Alliance of Floral Associations’ national designer of the year contest held in October was Enrika Karalius, of Royal Petal in Crestwood, IL. Her designs will be featured in The Profesional Florist magazine.

Also featured in the magazine is the winner of the academy division, which is open to designers who have accumulated 50 points in the professional division competition. Doug Bates from Flowers by Vogt’s in Sturgis, MI, whose table display took first place, received $300 and a plaque. In addition, his name will be inscribed on a traveling award.

At the closing banquet, several awards were presented. Bob Friese of Fruitport, MI, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service to the floral industry while Jack Howard from Teleflora in Los Angeles was honored with the National Service Award.

Other honorees were:

• Arlon Slaugh, Holland, MI, Certified Florist Person of the Year.

• James Lutke, Spring Lake, MI, Special Recognition.

• Angela Christi, Flowers from Nature’s Garden, Petoskey, MI, Young Person of the Year.

• Kennicott Bros., Chicago, Wholesaler of the Year.

• Ric Gaunt, Mayesh Wholesale, Romulus, MI, Wholesale Employee of the Year.

• Smith Floral & Greenhouse, Lansing, MI, Retailer of the Year.

• Pamela Prough, Westland, MI, Retail Employee of the Year.

Trade fair vendors presented an array of products and services from flowers to tech support, to business solutions, to supplies. James Rizzo from Bright Green, a vertical planter system, commented, “This was my first floral show and I am very pleased with the results. Florists showed great interest in our product and I feel we had a very successful show. We’ll be back next year.”

In addition to hands-on design workshops where florists honed their skills at everything from wedding bouquets to sympathy work, expo business presenters conducted sessions that gave participants the tools to improve their business practices and improve their bottom line.

Rod Crittenden, executive vice president of the MFA, expressed great pleasure at results of this year’s conference. “The Great Lakes Floral Expo continues to be an outstanding professional development value for the attendees thanks to the many generous sponsors, product donors and members who volunteer their time and money. I would like to personally invite everyone to mark your calendars now to attend the 2016 Great Lakes Floral Expo, ‘Together We Bloom,’ March 4-6, 2016 in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit www.michiganfloral.org.”

Barbara Gilbert is the editor of The Professional Florist magazine. She can be contacted at [email protected].