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MFA Monthly Newsletter
January Newsletter
Public Forum: Valentine’s Day Tips and Tricks
The Montana Florists Association will be holding a public forum via Zoom on Wednesday, January 15th, at 9 AM. Zoom link available in emailed newsletter or send request for link to mtfloristassc@gmail.com. This forum is an opportunity for florists to ask for and offer advice to fellow florists as they prepare for Valentine’s Day.
Talking Points:
- Website and product efficiency.
- What having Valentine’s Day on a Friday means for your business.
- Tips and tricks for upselling products.
Zoom links for the forum, links to apply for the scholarship, and a Google Forms link are included in the e-newsletter emails sent to all members.
Don’t miss this chance to share insights and learn from others in the industry. We look forward to seeing you there!
Valentine’s Day Floral Trends 2025
Stay ahead of the curve with these exciting floral trends for Valentine’s Day 2025:
- Bold and Vibrant Colors: Rich purples, deep reds, and vibrant pinks are in demand, creating dramatic and eye-catching arrangements.
- Unique Blooms: Incorporate exotic flowers like orchids, proteas, and anthuriums to stand out.
- Eco-Friendly Arrangements: Use locally sourced and seasonal flowers to appeal to eco-conscious customers.
- Personalized Touches: Add elements like handwritten notes or custom keepsake vases to make arrangements more meaningful.
- Luxury and Elegance: Focus on premium flowers and upscale designs for customers seeking high-end gifts.
Embrace these trends to captivate your customers and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable!
Exciting Scholarship Opportunity: Attend the 2025 AIFD Symposium!
The Montana Florists Association (MFA) is thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity for its members: the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) 2025 Symposium Attendance Scholarship. This amazing scholarship enables one deserving member to attend the prestigious 2025 AIFD Symposium, which will be held in beautiful Palm Springs, California.
Scholarship Highlights
The scholarship winner will receive:
- Complimentary General Registration ($849.00 value), which includes access to main stage programs, selected breakout education sessions, the Industry Showcase, and the Opening Reception. (Hands-On Workshops and scheduled dinners may be purchased separately by the recipient.)
- Marketing Collateral for social media posts.
- Press Release to share with local media and for personal social media use, announcing their win.
- Special Certificate suitable for framing, presented to the winner.
- VIP Seating to a main stage program of their choice.
- VIP Welcome Arrangement (if staying at the host hotel).
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this prestigious scholarship, applicants must:
- Complete the Application in Full: Incomplete applications or missing documents will result in disqualification.
- Be a Current MFA Member: Either you or the business you work for must hold an active MFA membership.
- Submit a Minimum of One Letter of Character Reference.
- Agree to Attend the NW AIFD Chapter Meeting: The winner must attend this meeting at the Symposium.
- Provide a Synopsis of the Symposium Experience: Share highlights of your experience at the 2025 MFA Convention.
There are links provided in the emailed newsletter with the online application form and guidelines for the scholarship. These links are also available at montanafloristsassociation.com. For any questions, please reach out to Lindsey Peterson at peterson.la.22@gmail.com.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted or postmarked by Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Submit your application:
- By Email: mtfloristassc@gmail.com
- By Mail: Lindsey Peterson, AIFD, CFD
525 4th Ave North, Glasgow, MT 59230
The scholarship winner will be announced by Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Important Scholarship Details
- Registration Deadline: The scholarship recipient must complete their Symposium registration by May 15, 2025.
- Restrictions:
- Scholarships must be awarded prior to May 1, 2025.
- Scholarships cannot be applied as a discount to Premium registrations or used for PFDE or other special Symposium registrations.
- Scholarships cannot be credited or refunded for registrations already purchased.
- AIFD® National/Regional Board members and National Committee members are not eligible.
- Scholarships are valid only for the Symposium/year awarded, are non-transferable, and cannot be deferred. By accepting the scholarship, the recipient is committing to attending the 2025 AIFD Symposium.
Make This Your Year to Shine!
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to elevate your floral design career. The AIFD Symposium is a transformative experience filled with inspiration, education, and networking with the best in the industry. Apply today and take a step closer to an unforgettable journey at the 2025 AIFD Symposium!
For questions or more information, contact Lindsey Peterson, AIFD, CFD at peterson.la.22@gmail.com or the MFA Secretary at mtfloristassc@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events
2025 Montana Florist Convention
Fairmont Hot Springs
1500 Fairmont Road
Fairmont, MT 59711
Come for a full weekend of learning, designing and creating.
2025 AIFD Symposium
The final lineup of Symposium Designers is subject to change.
Join Us July 12-15th
Palm Springs, CA
- World-Class Designers
- Cutting Edge Marketing
- Business Focused Programs
- Interactive Immersive Workshop Experiences
Reflet with us in Palm Springs…New Symposium Experience
- PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE!
Our Sponsors- Click to View
2024 MFA Convention Speakers and Agenda
Guest Designer Poppy Parsons AIFD, CFD, EMC, CAFA Hands On Workshop #1 & Workshop #2
Guest Designer Mike Hollenbeck AIFD Main Stage Designer
Guest Designer Mike Hollenbeck AIFD Main Stage Designer
Smart Flowers
Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada
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
Smart Flowers
Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada
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
Guest Designer Mike Hollenbeck AIFD Main Stage Designer
Guest Designer Mike Hollenbeck AIFD Main Stage Designer
Guest Designer Mike Hollenbeck AIFD Main Stage Designer
Floral Artistry
Lewistown, ID
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 perspecti
Floral Artistry
Lewistown, ID
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 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
2024 MFA Convention Agenda*
Guest Designer Mike Hollenbeck AIFD Main Stage Designer
2024 MFA Convention Agenda*
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
9:30
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
2024 MFA Convention...Fairmont, MT
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2023 MFA Convention...Missoula, MT
2022 MFA Convention...Great Falls, MT
