MINNEAPOLIS — Koehler & Dramm Wholesale Florist held its 2015 Fall & Winter Classic Design Showcase & Trade Fair Oct. 10-11, here.

Highlights were guest designers John Hosek, owner at Surroundings Events & Floral in Verona, WI, and Loann Burke, event specialist at Furst the Florist in Dayton, OH, presenting over six hours of design demonstrations; a guest appearance and presentation by the owners at BloomNation; a trade fair with 30 vendors; hands-on learning opportunities; a wedding design competition; and plenty of time to network and socialize.

John Hosek and Loann Burke teamed up to motivate the audience during their design demonstrations at the Koehler & Dramm show.“We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout,” Emily Gorg, marketing director at Koehler & Dramm told The Produce News. “John and Loann were fantastic as co-presenters, and we were honored to have so many national and international vendors here for the trade fair. Having BloomNation here as a guest was incredible, and we were very excited to welcome David Garcia of Pete Garcia Co. here for the first time.”

Company president Lee Spence said he received a lot of positive comments from both customers and vendors.

“It’s been great and a very good turnout — one of our largest in many years. We had about 300 customers here and we had 30 vendor booths. The vendors seemed happy and have remarked about how it was a great turnout.”

Rex Thompson, director of sales and marketing for Royal Flowers in Miami said he really enjoyed the show.

“I thought it was amazing, well-organized and well-attended,” said Thompson. “It was my first time attending a show at Koehler & Dramm and I was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the staff and the enthusiasm of the retailers attending. I thought it was one of the better shows that I have attended this year as far as open houses and shows at wholesalers. It was awesome and we felt very fortunate to be included in the event.”

Carolina Suarez, account manager at Golden Flowers in Miami, was another vendor who found the trade fair a beneficial company experience.

“This show was very good for us,” Suarez said. “We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from the people that visited our booth — they especially loved our dyed flowers, which was a surprise.”

Customers also commented on the quality of the show.

“The designers, John and Loann, were really good. They gave real practical ideas and were very creative,” Sally Miller, owner at The Rose Garden in Frederick, WI, told The Produce News. “This is always one of the best shows. The food is always good and the vendors are always wonderful. We’ve been to other shows at other suppliers, but this is probably the best you can go to.”

Gina Whipple from Petersen & Tietz Florists and Greenhouses in Waterloo, Iowa, agreed with Miller’s assessment. “The presentation was great,” said Whipple. “Both of the designers brought lots of new and exciting ideas to us, and they both had different aesthetics and perspectives so it was nice to see that as well. We gained knowledge, inspiration and ideas, and we are currently implementing them in the shop for the holiday season.”