" FLOWER UP "
Round Up at the Ozark Corral
64th Annual Convention and Marketplace
Dear friends,
Or should I say " Howdy Partners "? It seems like just a few months ago we were having our last Convention at the Holiday Inn in Joplin. But it has been almost that long and it is time for our 64th Convention. This year, we have so many new things to look forward to. First of all, a new "Home", The Downstream Resort & Casino in Quapaw, Oklahoma, which is actually 4 miles west of Joplin on I-44. And the new dates, September 24th and 25th, are a little later than our usual time.
It will be great to see everyone again! And we are serving up more education and fun than ever! We have five programs on Saturday afternoon. We are covering Basic Flower care from Baisch and Skinner, and specialty flower care from River Valley Floral Distributors, Basic Plant Care from Aurora Greenhouse, an incredible Sympathy program from Kay Schlaefli AMF, as well as a Video Tour of Bear Creek Farms.
All this for the low price of $ 25.00 !
Also on Saturday, and at a new time, the Ozark Cup Design Competition. We are starting earlier this year so everyone can also catch all the programs. Be cartain to check the website for the information and fees. And you will need to register ahead of time so we can have the best product available for you to work with. Consult the website:
www.aboutozark.com
or call Mike Koch, our Design Contest Director at: 479-754-0208 or e-mail:
mkoch81954@yahoo.com
Our incredible sharp shootin' President Colleen Horrigan OMF, has planned the most wonderful Awards Dinner Saturday night, and Western Fun is the theme. Wear your best western wear and remember there will be a Cowboy Hat and Belt Buckle Contest ! And there will be a lot of surprises ! We have all kinds of news and really great challenges and changes ahead for the Association ! And after dinner the incredible Mark Erickson AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, Oklahoma Flower Market, will keep the party going with " Let's Have an Affair ", the most wonderful party and event program ever !
And don't forget the Scholarship program. We will announce the Winners at the Convention ! Please fill out an application from the website or call me ! We have another addition this year...a Bloomnet Scholarship to their new Floriology Institute in Florida ! As well as many other Scholarships, most notably from our friends at Teleflora ! Don't forget...why not fill out the application and mail it now....
Sunday we have several announcements and new friends for you to meet. You MUST be there at 9 AM ! And a fabulous program by Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD PFCI, from Teleflora. She is presenting two wedding programs. " To Have and to Hold " on Sunday morning, with tips for creating wedding bouquets that wow our brides and Sunday afternoon
" Taming the Bridezilla ", with tips for dealing with the demands of the Wedding market and how to manage our production costs and time so we can make a profit on our weddings !
And finally Jo Buttram AMF and Shelby Shy will present " Corral your Marketing Wagon, Lasso Social Media and Ride Off into the Sunset with Profits and Increased Customers ", sponsored by Bloomnet. These designs will give new meaning to the tired old attitudes of yesterday's designs and sales. And we all, me included, need to learn to make the most of social media. I think we can all agree to meet the demands of today's market we must sharpen our skills and look to the future and our financial success. These ladies are the greatest and have a lot to teach us ! Don't miss it ! We did save the best for last !!!
And, most importantly, don't forget our Ozark Marketplace Trade Fair. We will have the largest trade fair in years and all of us can " Shop TIll We Drop " and show our thanks and appreciation because these guys and gals make the weekend possible for us. We are so lucky to have their support !!! Without them, we wouldn't be here. Anyone interested in Trade Fair booth space should call Chris Gray at Baisch and Skinner. His contact: 417-832-8977.
And to close the Convention we will announce the Winners of the Ozark Cup Design Competition ! Who will be the " Designer of the Year "?
And then we will announce the Winners of the Silent Auction and lastly the announcement of the Winner of the $500 Cash Prize. So don't forget to get your name in the hat !!!!!
And finally, pack up our Conestogas and make the trip home.
We remember all the things we learned from the Ozark Educators, and all the new friends we have made at our brand new " Home ", and to be proud of what we do, because at the end of the day......florists do make the world beautiful, and convey the most important sentiments to one another !!!
Happy Trails to you........until we meet again !!
www.aboutozark.com
Ozark Florist Association
1111 Garrison Ave.
Fort Smith, AR. 72901
800-441-6486
