Texas State Florists Association Convention

TSFA Convention and Texas Cup Competition

July 29, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

The Texas State Florists’ Association held its 99th annual Convention and Trade Show July 12-14 in Mesquite, TX located just east of Dallas. That’s right, the 99th annual convention, and you know what that means, folks. If you missed this year, there’s no way you can let next year slip by as it will be the annual Convention and Trade Show’s centennial celebration! If you were looking for the right year to go, next year is definitely the one! As usual, Flower Shop Network will be there and is always excited to bring you the highlights! Here are some pics from this year’s show.

First off, a photo of our booth. Isn’t that awesome? We’re so organized with our little gift bags in a line around the tables. Good job, Joe Hays! It looks like he’s done this before, doesn’t it?

As with any convention, booths were a big part of the main floor, but it was the amazing classes on offer that really got people excited. With instruction in everything from how to increase business, to Texas-style designs and even how to grow your revenue stream, there was a lot of great information to be had! Still, the free loot you could rack up on booth row was pretty impressive too.

Texas Cup Competition

The event no florist worth her pruning shears would dare miss was the Texas Cup competition. This is an annual part of the show where florists from across the state are given a certain period of time to design and create an arrangement worthy to be crowned the Texas Cup winner! Flower Shop Network slipped in and snapped some candid shots of the top three designs!

Third place was claimed by Flower Shop Network member Martha Wiggs-Aaron of Clear Lake Flowers in Houston, TX. As you can see, she made a beautiful arrangement using sunflowers and yellow roses to give a nod to the rustic roots of Texas. The basket is an excellent touch, and the bird’s nest as well as the wire formed into the state of Texas add all the accent needed. Gorgeous Martha!

Second place was also snagged by a Flower Shop Network member! Man, are our members talented or what? Alan Masters of Compton’s Florist in La Porte, TX submitted this elegant arrangement that almost looks good enough to eat! Are those mushrooms? Wow!

So, who won first place? Drum roll please …

First place was claimed by none other than Flower Shop Network member Rebecca Sherman AIFD of The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, TX. Rebecca also chose to go with sunflowers, and her creative arrangement turned out wonderfully! Amazing job Rebecca, and congrats on winning the Texas Cup!

Is it just me, or was that a Flower Shop Network trifecta?! Wowza! If you went to the TSFA convention, let us know all about it in the comments below. If not, there’s always next year!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Florists Only Tagged With: Florists Association Conventions, Flower Shop Network, Texas Florists, Texas State Florists Association Convention

2012 Texas State Florist Convention: Recap & Photos

July 24, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Over the weekend, part of the FSN Team traveled down to the Lone Star State for the Texas State Florist Association‘s Annual Convention. This year’s theme was, “Floral Paradise” which is exactly what they created. In their unusual location, The Hanger Hotel (an actual airplane hanger!) they brought paradise to life with only the flair florists can bring.

Metro retro. The old hanger definitely had a retro vibe. Love the way these creative Texas florists work it into their show. Looks like something you’d see in a old war-time postcard or something. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News, Florists Only Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Flower Pictures, Texas State Florists Association, Texas State Florists Association Convention, Tropical Flowers

2011 Texas State Florist Association Convention Photos & Recap

July 22, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Texas State Florist Convention Celebrates 20 Years

Just last weekend, a few from our team had the opportunity to attend the 20th annual Texas State Floral Association Convention in The Woodlands, TX!
The theme of the show this year was “FLOWERS… The Opportunities are Alive” and really emphasized taking the opportunities and chances with your work to make it over-the-top extraordinary.

Here is Rebecca from the FSN team in front of our booth. She really enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by!

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Texas Cup Winner Shellie Jacobs of Fresh by Brookshire in Tyler, TX.

The FSN Team, Rebecca and Amy, with one of our great members, Martha Krause of Autumn Leaves Florist in Cypress, TX.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Flower Pictures, Texas Cup, Texas State Florists Association Convention

FSN’s Bloomin’ Newsletter For August

August 5, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

bloomin-blog2

HEARTFELT RECYCLING FOR BUDDING COMMUNITY SERVICE

Recently, Flower Shop Network attended the Texas State Florists Association Convention in San Marco, Texas. While there, we had a local San Marco florist, It’s The Tropics, come in and give our trade show booth some life with their fabulous tropical arrangement.

Once the show was over, there was really nothing we could do with it. We had a 14 hour drive ahead of us in an SUV packed completely full! I hated to just throw it away… Lucky for us, the TSFA came up with a brilliant idea to recycle the flowers from the show!

They sat out a ton of bubble bowl vases with curly willow and some greenery — arrangements just begging for fresh flowers! The attending florists were invited to build arrangements out of the flowers left over from the show. These recycled arrangements were then taken to a local hospital to brighten someone’s day. What a great surprise!

This is just one of the great ways the floral associations are helping local communities. This is a pretty common act for conventions like these, but it was fascinating to see our design recycled.

After being recycled, here are the 3 floral designs built from our tropical arrangement.

FSN’s Favorite Flower Arrangement For August

This summer is way too hot to be traveling; show your long-distanced, someone special you care by sending summer flowers! Your friend, mom or grandmother’s face will glow for weeks after receiving this stunning bouquet.

Use Flower Shop Network’s handy local florist directory to find your city florist and ask about summer flowers today!

FSN At The Texas State Florists Association Convention

This past weekend, July 23-25, Flower Shop Network had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Texas State Florist Association Convention in San Marcos, Texas. The theme was “The Green Life” and we learned a lot about what it means to be ‘green’ in the floral industry.

View ALL photos from the Texas State Florists Association Convention…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Newsletters Tagged With: Newsletters, Texas State Florists Association Convention

Interview With Mary McCarthy From The Blooming Idea, TX

August 2, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Recently, Flower Shop Network attended the Texas State Florists Association‘s annual convention in San Marco Texas. While there, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with some fabulous local florists — including one of our favorite FSN members, Mary McCarthy from The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, TX.

Mary and her team are great examples of local florists working hard to promote themselves online. Check out The Blooming Idea blog where they post incredible photos of their recent floral design work. Not only do they keep their customers informed on their blog, but their Facebook is blooming as well! Keep up the GREAT work guys! Thanks for being great members!

This post was brought to you by local San Antonio, Texas florists.

Filed Under: Floral Convention Videos, Florist Spotlights Tagged With: Local Florists, Local Flower Shops, Texas Florists, Texas State Florists Association Convention

FSN Congratulates Megan Rudloff — Winner of Texas Cup

July 29, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Flower Shop Network would like to congratulate Texas floral designer, Megan Rudloff for taking home the prestigious, Texas Cup for floral design. The Texas State Florists Association’s Texas Cup is an annual floral design competition. The winner of the Texas Cup is awarded entry to the Society of American Florist’s Sylvia Cup Competition and the National Alliance of Floral Association’s Designer of the Year competition.

Congratulations again, Megan! We know you’ll go far!

This post is brought to you by Texas’ local florists.

Filed Under: Floral Industry News Tagged With: Megan Rudloff, Texas Cup, Texas Florists, Texas State Florists Association Convention

Interview With Patrick Berry At The Texas State Florists Association Convention — “The Green Life”

July 27, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Over the weekend, Flower Shop Network attended the 2010 Texas State Florist Association‘s conference “The Green Life.” We had the wonderful opportunity to catch a quick interview with the upcoming TSFA Vice President, Patrick Berry. Here he talks about this years theme and what it takes to put on such an incredible show. He also stresses the importance of coming to shows like this for local florists. We hope to see you at next years event!

Or, watch on Flower Shop Network’s YouTube Channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Filed Under: Floral Convention Videos, Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Floral & Flower Shows, Local Florists, Texas State Florists Association Convention

Do Flower Shows Peak Your Interest?

June 12, 2009 by Flower Shop Network 2 Comments

Flower shows just seem like the perfect time to chit chat with florists from your area and even some from far away. Being a little bit of a social butterfly, this prospect definitely appeals to me.

Just think about it. You get to discuss what you love with people who share your passion. You learn, grow and develop your passion and your talents while making new friends. You get to take a break from the rush-rush-rush of the office but you’re not far from the action. With all this in store, who wouldn’t love a flower show?

Network coordinators from Flower Shop Network recently made their trip to the Florida State Florists Association Convention. They returned with great stories. I must admit, I was a bit jealous after hearing what some of the florists at the show had to say! Everyone came back with a smile that was twice as large as when they had left. In light of everything going on today, I find this chance to be inspired by other florists very appealing. I’m ready for the next flower show!

What’s on the agenda for this summer? Flower shows taking place in June/July 2009:

June 5-7, 2009: The Florida State Florists Association Convention will be hosted at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bay Front in St. Petersburg Florida. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.
June 10-12, 2009: The Super Floral Show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Georgia. Florists, gift shop managers, gardeners and floral industry professionals will enjoy attending.
June 18-24, 2009: The World Rose Convention will be held at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. Florists, gardeners, and anyone who likes roses will enjoy attending this show.
June 19-21, 2009: The World Rose Festival will be held at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center in Vancouver, British Columbia. Florists, gardeners, and anyone who likes roses will enjoy attending this show.

July 11-14, 2009: The annual Ohio Florists Association Short Course will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus Ohio. Florists who are members as well as non-members will enjoy the OFA Short Course.
July 11-16, 2009: The 2009 AIFD Symposium will be held this year in Kansas City Missouri. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.
July 24-26, 2009: The Texas State Florists Association will host the 96^th TSFA Annual Convention & Trade Show at the Doubletree Hotel in Dallas Texas. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are invited to attend.

What do you think of flower shows and florist association conventions? Ever been to one? Tell us your favorite stories from the trip!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: AIFD National Symposium, Floral & Flower Shows, Florida State Florists Association Convention, OFA Short Course, Peaks My Interest, Super Floral Show, Texas State Florists Association Convention, World Rose Convention, World Rose Festival

Flower Shop Network Attends Texas Florists Convention

July 17, 2008 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Representatives from Flower Shop Network attended the Texas State Florists Association Convention in League City Texas on July 11-13th.

Above: Network coordinators Amy Hall, Joe Hays and Rebecca Speer take a moment to pose for a picture in front of the Flower Shop Network booth. Over the course of the three day florists convention, they met with several interesting Texas florists including, Mary McCarthy at the Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, Texas.

Florists conventions are a fantastic place to meet associates face-to-face. In fact, Amy Hall was excited to finally meet Mary in person after years of communicating via the phone. According to Amy, Mary has a wonderful approach to designing flower bouquets. She creates many beautiful arrangements, but her specialty is a unique, European-style, hand-tied flowers-in-foil bouquet. In fact, creating a European flower market feel is the basic philosophy of the Blooming Idea and is the essence of their wedding flowers. Mary and Amy are pictured below.

Blooming Idea is one of many great florists serving The Woodlands, Texas. But, other areas of Texas also have wonderful florists like Connie from Plant It Earth in Webster, Texas. Connie is pictured below with Joe Hays and Rebecca Speer.

Laughter and good times radiated from the booth as Joe, Amy and Rebecca visited with several of our members and introduced new friends to the benefits of being a Flower Shop Network member. Joe (who loves to participate in florist conventions) is seen below explaining to a couple of new friends what Flower Shop Network does to help florists achieve success.

The convention wasn’t just about fun. Floral design, business and technology seminars got down to serious business for many of the Texas florists. Wedding flowers and sympathy flowers innovations were the focus of the floral design series. From the talk on the trade show floor these programs were very well received.

So, as my grandmother would say, “A good time was had by all.” If you missed this year’s convention mark your calendar to attend next year’s convention.

Of course a florists convention wouldn’t be complete without flowers. Amy snapped a few shots of the unique flower arrangements found at the convention.

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News Tagged With: Floral & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News, Flower Shop Network, Texas Florists, Texas State Florists Association Convention