The following article appeared in the SAF e-brief on Wednesday, July 12, 2006.

Arkansas Kicks Off New Regional Design Competition

For years now, longtime florist Bill Plummer, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, executive secretary of the Arkansas State Florists Association, thought it made sense for his home state to host a design competition for surrounding states, because of the state's central location. "We have seven states that touch us," he says. "We also thought it would be easy and less expensive for them to get to." Next month, Plummer's dream will come true at the association's annual convention in Hot Springs, Ark., where the Mid-America Invitational Design Cup will make its debut. 

State floral design winners from the region (Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas) will compete for the cup on Friday, Aug. 18 in an open forum in three categories: Bridal, sympathy and a surprise category. Contestants will vie for a trophy, $1,000 in cash, a Teleflora scholarship, and many other prizes. The winner will be announced the next evening, Aug. 19, at the convention's presidential banquet. For more information, contact association past president Jo Buttram at (800) 624-7225; jbuttram@hotmail.com.

Mary Ann Barton
mbarton@safnow.org

***********************************************************************************

July 16—Teleflora Unit Event—United Wholesale Florist—1501 Garfield                       

               Little Rock, AR 72204—Featured Designer Kevin Ylvisaker, AIFD                                                           

               - Contact Margaret Abbott—870-763-7001

July21-23– Oklahoma State Florists’ Association Convention & Market—

                Tulsa, Oklahoma—Featured Designers - Gaylon Pile, Bloomnet;

                Jeff Corbin, FTD; Bob Hampton, Teleflora 

                - Contact Nellie Davis—918-352-3906

August 18-20 - Arkansas Florists Association Convention & Market

                

                 Hot Springs, Arkansas -  See Schedule of Events under "Forms Section"

                 Contact Bill Plummer - 501-354-2309

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Koch of Plummer's Florist in Morrilton took First Place as "Designer of the Year" competing in a field of twenty-one designers from five states.

The Ozark Florists Association held their annual convention on September 16 & 17 at the Holiday Inn in Joplin, Missouri.  This association has been around for more than 30 years and is an excellent venue for floral designers to test their skills. 

Mike Koch of Plummer's Florist in Morrilton won the title of "Designer
of the Year" competing in a field of twenty-one design contestants from
Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma in four divisions including a funeral piece, a party centerpiece, a bridal bouquet and body flowers.  This win makes him eligible to compete for the Mid America Cup on the third week-end in August 2007 at the Arkansas Florists Association Convention & Trade Market in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  The Arkansas convention is held at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
"Las Vegas" was the theme for the Ozark Florists Association Convention  focusing on wedding and party designs.    The theme in 2007 will be "The Nightmare Before Christmas" featuring Halloween through Christmas designs.