Join us...

Smart Flowers

Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada

https://www.smartflowers.ca/about-us

Poppy Parsons grew up in a small town, Hazlet, in rural Southwest Saskatchewan. Poppy lived right across the back alley from her Grandparents and spent much of her childhood playing in their garden.  Poppy’s floral training began while working at Smart Flo

Smart Flowers

Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada

https://www.smartflowers.ca/about-us

Poppy Parsons grew up in a small town, Hazlet, in rural Southwest Saskatchewan. Poppy lived right across the back alley from her Grandparents and spent much of her childhood playing in their garden.  Poppy’s floral training began while working at Smart Flowers in Swift Current in 1993 & 1994. After marrying the love of her life in 1994 she moved on to the financial industry, but I always knew that she wanted to own a flower shop. So, when the opportunity arose in the spring of 2007 to purchase Smarts Flowers, she jumped at the chance to fulfill that dream. Much of Poppy’s inspiration for her floral design & floral art comes from the time well spent in the garden, plus checking cows, fixing fence, and helping Kelly on the ranch. Her love of nature and flowers was introduced by her Grandparents and continues with the time spent in the pastures and hills of her 115 plus year old family farm. Poppy is proud to call Southwest Saskatchewan her home!

Poppy’s professional florist & floral art career started when she achieved her Certified Floral Design (CFD) designation after testing with the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) in Miami in June of 2012. She passed her Professional Floral Design Evaluation at the AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas July 2013 and was inducted into this prestigious association July 2014 in Chicago.  Spring 2015 she passed the written exam for the Canadian Academy of Floral Art (CAFA) & design test later that summer and was inducted into CAFA April 2016. In 2021 Poppy continued a path of floral education was inducted into European Master Certification in October in Belgium- and proud to say she is now an EMC designer!

Her passion for sharing joy with flowers has brought her numerous accomplishments and floral adventures. Poppy is the current President Elect of the Northwest Region of AIFD and will become president in July at the annual symposium. Poppy has volunteered for AIFD symposium as a stage presentation design assistant 3 times. Then taking on larger roles as Co-chair of the fresh procurement team, the Project Manager for the floral design team for final night gala, the Chair of the Processing Committee, and the Stage Manager Assistant I 2024 & 2025. Currently in training to take on the full role of Stage Manger in 2026 in Palm Springs. 

Building on her teaching and mentoring career in she had opportunity to design & teach in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Poppy is 1 of 8 Canadian florist asked to design with Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association (HFNA) as a feature Canadian Designer for the HFNA Wedding Celebration design webinars & live events; creating bridal bouquets and wedding floral décor featuring Hawaii grown flowers and teaching other florists. This fall she will travel to San Diego/Carlsbad to be on the floral design team for the California Flower Growers Fun in the Sun conference.

Poppy has been a floral float decorator for the Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Dec since 2019!  She has had the honour to help win 5 awards for the 5 floats in the 5 years she has been a key floral float decorator with Fiesta Parade Floats (the most award-winning float design company) She is proud to be part of the Floral Team, gaining many friends that she now calls family!

Poppy loves to travel and learn from many other floral artists across North America and has volunteered in many shows and conferences representing SW Saskatchewan everywhere she goes!

Travel paid by: NW AIFD

Flowers provided by: Urku Expressions

Floral Artistry

Lewistown, ID

https://www.floralartistry.com

Mike's  passion is to educate and promote the art of professional floral design. With over 40 years’ of experience. He owns and operates his floral shop, Floral Artistry, in Lewiston Idaho. Mike also presents educational programs, and

contracts large events across the country.  Mike

Floral Artistry

Lewistown, ID

https://www.floralartistry.com

Mike's  passion is to educate and promote the art of professional floral design. With over 40 years’ of experience. He owns and operates his floral shop, Floral Artistry, in Lewiston Idaho. Mike also presents educational programs, and

contracts large events across the country.  Mike has gained a unique perspective on the past, present and future of the floral industry. 

Mike was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design in 2006 and is

currently a Certified Evaluator Judge for AIFD. He  has worked at Fiesta Parade Floats creating Rose Parade Floats for over a decade and has designed floral decor at The White House for State Dinners. 

Mike's designs are known to be cutting edge with flair in the use of line, color and texture. He hopes to inspire floral designers to reach beyond their perceived limitations, to help strengthen themselves and the Floral Industry.

Travel paid by: NW IAFD

Flowers provided by: Washington Floral Service

Alexis “Skip” Orozco

FTD Technology Sales Specialist

Alexis "Skip" Orozco is a seasoned Technology Specialist at FTD, LLC, leading innovative e-commerce and technology-driven initiatives. With a robust background in delivering impactful technology solutions at industry giants like Verizon and AT&T, Alexis has a proven track record of drivi

Alexis “Skip” Orozco

FTD Technology Sales Specialist

Alexis "Skip" Orozco is a seasoned Technology Specialist at FTD, LLC, leading innovative e-commerce and technology-driven initiatives. With a robust background in delivering impactful technology solutions at industry giants like Verizon and AT&T, Alexis has a proven track record of driving growth and optimizing business operations. He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Chabot Community College, which has equipped him with a solid foundation in business principles. Recognized for his dedication and excellence, Alexis received the prestigious Culture Award from FTD in 2023 and the Winners Circle award from Verizon in 2021. Through his expertise and leadership, Alexis continues to propel FTD forward, improving processes and delivering results that make a significant impact for member florists.

Blossoming Online: A Florist’s Guide to E-commerce Success

In today's digital age, having an online presence is essential for florists to thrive and grow their business. This presentation will guide florists through the fundamentals of e-commerce, from setting up an attractive online store to mastering digital marketing strategies. Participants will learn how to enhance customer experiences, optimize online sales, and navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you're new to e-commerce or looking to refine your online strategy, this guide will equip you with the tools and knowledge to bloom in the digital marketplace.

Sponsored by: FTD

*subject to changes

Fri. September 27th

11a MFA Board Members meet at Fairmont

11a Pre-convention MFA Board Member meeting

11a-4p Vendor setup complete

4p-5p MFA registration table open

6p-9p Friday night murder mystery with Food and Drinks

Sat. September 28th

7:30a-8:30a Breakfast

8-9a Live! Design Contest

8a-5p MFA Registration Table open

9a-5p Ve

*subject to changes

Fri. September 27th

11a MFA Board Members meet at Fairmont

11a Pre-convention MFA Board Member meeting

11a-4p Vendor setup complete

4p-5p MFA registration table open

6p-9p Friday night murder mystery with Food and Drinks

Sat. September 28th

7:30a-8:30a Breakfast

8-9a Live! Design Contest

8a-5p MFA Registration Table open

9a-5p Vendor Shops open

9:30a-10:30a 1st Hands On Workshop with Poppy Parsons AIFD, EMC - “ THE POWER OF ONE” sponsored by Smithers Oasis.

11a-12p Business Speaker- Sponsored by FTD

12p-4p Flowers to Wear Table sponsored by Reliant ribbon- 

make something Enchanted to wear to the dinner festivities.

12p-1p Lunch with Vendor Presentations

1:15p-2:45p 2nd Hands on Workshop with Poppy Parsons AIFD, EMC

3p-5:30p Shopping with Vendors

3:30p-5:30p Round Table educational session with Poppy, Mike, and other fellow florists- small instructional sessions teaching a multitude of topics...(hand tied bouquets, social media posts,

Elements and Principles of design,...and much more).

This is the perfect opportunity to have

one on one conversations with the presenters and ask any specific questions.

6p-7p Enchanted Garden No Host Cocktail and Mingle time.

7:15p-8:30p President's Dinner –Wheel of Fortune, 50/50 tickets, Gift Giveaways....

Sun. September 29th

7:30a-8:45a Breakfast

8a-3:30p MFA Registration Table open

8a-3:30p Vendor Shops open

8a-9a MFA annual Public meeting with announcements. 

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

9:30a-11:30a Design Show with Mike Hollenbeck, AIFD- "How to keep your Enchanted Garden growing and your Flower Shop flourishing."

11:45a-12:45p Lunch and announcements by incoming MFA President.

Design Contestwinners Announced, 2025 Convention Announced.

1p-2:30p Resume Design Show with Mike Hollenbeck AIFD sponsored by Washington Floral Service.and Northwest AIFD “ This or That”

2:30p-3p Auction off Design Show creations

3p Convention closes