HIGHLIGHTS FROM CONVENTION 2019
A Blossoming Event A good time was had by all at the FSFA’s annual convention, The Art of the Event.
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he Florida State Florists’ Association (FSFA) held its annual convention June 7-9 at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills. The attendees were treated royally at this incredible hideaway resort. The views were spectacular, the service was top notch, and the food was delicious! Day one of the weddingthemed convention focused on hands-on classes. Jackie Johns, of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), taught students how to make armature bridal bouquets; Christi Lopez, European master certification (EMC), taught students how to
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make hand-wired bouquets; and Varito Vasquez, Florida state master designer (FSMD), taught students how to make wire wedding jewelry. The handson classes were underwritten through a grant awarded by the AIFD Foundation with funding made possible by the Florida Florist Fund.
fall 2019 // floridastatefloristsassociation.com
In addition to the classes, attendees were able to watch the Sunshine Cup Competition unfold before their eyes. Contestants were asked to create an entry piece for a wedding to be placed on top of a hightop table and a bridal bouquet using only greenery to adorn a premade armature. The tabletop competition was sponsored by Teleflora, offering a $1,000 prize. The bridal bouquet competition was sponsored by Fern Trust and offered a $500 prize. The winners in both categories were: Alejandro Figueira, AIFD, first place; Varito Vasquez, AIFD, FSMD, second place; and Susana Ortega, AIFD,