Submitted by: Lindsey Peterson, AIFD, Montana Florist Association President
Happy October flower friends near and far, I am happy to announce the Montana Florist Association Convention 2021 is in the books! The weekend of October 1st-3rd in Great Falls Montana, florists and industry professionals gathered to celebrate our industry, to network, to learn from the best, and to kick their floral repertoire up a notch. With Great Falls being centrally located, the board was hoping to draw attendees from all over. Montana is a big, BIG state if you aren’t aware. I live about 470 miles from my 1st year board member who lives on the Western side of the state, just to give some perspective. The award of “Traveling the Furthest” went to Felipe, representing La Hacienda Flowers, who came all the way from Ecuador.
The weekend saw many familiar faces, along with a slew of new ones, and everyone was eager to learn. After we “locked” our attendees in a floral themed escape room, they mixed and mingled and got ready to start the Saturday sessions with two hands on classes.
Julio Freitas, owner of The Flower Hat in Bozeman Montana, presented two classes. One class focused on centerpieces, and one focused on flowers to wear. Both classes filled up fast! Everyone loves those chances to learn hands on, right? Washington Floral Services sponsored Julio and his program.
After that we jumped into shopping with vendors and some decided to compete in the design contest. A few years back, I changed the narrative of the design contest that had designers bringing arrangements they made from home to the convention. This changed the structure to mimic the PFDE®. In hopes that with the same floral, foliage and materials, etc. it would really push the contestants. We have novice and advanced entries, and had 14 people participate which was awesome! Erik Witcraft AIFD graciously said yes to evaluate our designers. I’m really hoping this will jump start some interest in the steps to becoming accredited. Teleflora jumped in and sponsored the entire event from product to design winnings. Thank you, Teleflora!!
So, all that was just a teaser for the Sunday design show. I was so honored to have some of my NW AIFD family presenting to the crowd at the Montana Florist Association Convention. Erik Witcraft AFID along with Frank Blanchard AIFD and newly joined MFA member Dawn Newkirk AIFD, along with her daughter Jillian created some amazing designs. From every day, to holiday styles, to flowers to wear. We learned tips and techniques to elevate daily designs. So much great content for the shops in attendance. Melrose and Skyline Wholesale made the design show possible as major sponsors, along with the NW AIFD® board who helped make their travel to Montana possible. I will be forever grateful that these talented designers joined forces and came to my home state to present an amazing show.
We had an AIFD® awareness table set up and tried, at every moment, to promote AIFD®, what it stands for, and where it can take a designer. AIFD® graciously donated a General Registration Symposium ticket to our association to auction off, and Kari Lane Johnson won! She is already making plans to attend the “Roots” AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas, as am I. I hope the next 9 months fly by. With the close location to Montana, I’m really hoping to get a crew to attend and show them, in person, what AIFD® is all about!
Summing up a weekend of floral education, networking and learning in just a few paragraphs is a tough job. I was so happy to stand in front of a group of my peers and see those dedicated to becoming better at their craft. Being in a room full of creative people really does do a body good! I’m back home and ready to create, create, CREATE and inspire others too. Let the countdown to “Roots” in Las Vegas commence!
