The 67th Annual Kentucky Florists’ Association Convention brought together floral designers, planners, students, shop owners, and industry professionals from across the region for a weekend of learning, networking, and celebration.
Held August 1–3, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Louisville East, the convention embraced the theme “Seasons in Harmony – A Floral Symphony.” Over three days, attendees experienced inspiring design programs, hands-on workshops, insightful business sessions, and unforgettable evening events.
From breathtaking floral displays and friendly competitions to the President’s Gala at The Grand, the convention highlighted the creativity and community that make KFA so special. With record participation, new ideas, and plenty of memories made, it was a true celebration of the floral industry’s artistry and passion.
Convention Photo Gallery
Relive the magic of the 67th Annual KFA Convention!
We’ve put together a full gallery of photos from the weekend, from design competitions and speaker sessions to the Gala and celebrations. Visit the gallery to download and save any photos to keep or share.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 – OPENING NIGHT
The evening began with opening remarks from Conference Co-Director Michael Gaddie AIFD, CFD, KMF and KFA President Dave Campbell, KMF, who set the tone for the weekend. They warmly welcomed attendees and spoke about the importance of coming together as a floral community to learn, celebrate, and be inspired.
Designing with Your Planner
The first program of the evening highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between florists and planners.
Part One featured Michael Gaddie AIFD, CFD, KMF and Sharon Rumsey, who shared their experiences working together to create seamless, stress-free events. They gave attendees practical examples of how collaboration enhances both logistics and design.
Part Two showcased Monica Richard, MWP, who brought her perspective as a seasoned planner. She shared strategies from her career, emphasizing how careful planning combined with creative vision allows clients to fully enjoy their events while stepping into a magical experience.
Together, these sessions gave attendees new insights into building stronger professional relationships and elevating client experiences through collaboration.
Local Wedding Planner Q&A
The conversation continued with a Wedding Planner Q&A featuring Monica Richard, Sharon Rumsey, and Jamie Lott. Attendees had the chance to ask candid questions and hear directly from planners about communication, problem-solving, and ways to work more effectively with event professionals.
Kentucky Cup Competition
The evening featured the always-anticipated Kentucky Cup Competition.
It began with five past Designers of the Year, each submitting a floral showcase piece created in advance and displayed for attendees to admire. From these, judges selected four finalists to move forward to the live, on-stage round.
In this round, each finalist was given identical flowers and supplies and tasked with creating a brand-new design under timed conditions. The atmosphere was electric as attendees cheered and watched artistry, speed, and creativity unfold right before their eyes.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 – EDUCATION & NETWORKING
Saturday was a full day of learning, networking, and celebration. With hands-on workshops, educational programs, and the evening’s Gala.
Starting the day with President Dave Campbell, KMF officially welcomed attendees to the 67th Annual KFA Convention, setting the tone for a day of growth and celebration.
Morning Sessions
FFA Hands-On Class Instructor: Tom Bowling AIFD, CFD, PFCITom kicked off the morning with a special FFA workshop, inspiring students with design techniques and hands-on practice to grow their skills.
Fantasy Flowers 101: Creating Your Favorite Blooms from Latex Balloons Instructor: Zachary ClevengerAttendees followed along with Zachary to create their own balloon floral designs. A fun, interactive session blending creativity and technique.
Terrarium Creations: Build & Host with Style Instructor: Derek Woodruff AIFDDerek guided participants through the process of building terrariums. Each attendee created their own and learned how this trend can be incorporated into retail shops and events.
Afternoon Sessions
Small Town Shop Struggles
Presenter: Cindy Hall AIFD, CFD, CF – 2024 KFA Designer of the Year
Cindy shared her perspective as a small-town florist, showcasing her work and demonstrating how painting flowers can achieve new and unique colors.
Show Up on Google: Local Visibility + AI Tips for Florists
Presenter: Kristina Stubblefield – So In Media Group
Kristina gave florists actionable tips on improving online visibility and using AI tools to streamline their business and better reach customers.
Engage and Attract Customers with DIY Terrariums
Presenter: Derek Woodruff AIFD
Derek returned to share strategies for hosting DIY terrarium events, helping florists grow engagement, attract customers, and build community connections.
FEPK Reception
The afternoon concluded with a FEPK Reception honoring the 2025 graduates, before attendees boarded buses for the highlight of the weekend, the President’s Gala Dinner.
President’s Gala Dinner & Awards
The evening’s Gala, themed Seasons in Harmony – A Floral Symphony, was held at The Grand and beautifully celebrated the artistry, dedication, and spirit of our floral community. Bonnie Dowler served as Mistress of Ceremony, guiding the evening with warmth and energy.
Welcome & Invocation
The program began with a heartfelt welcome and invocation delivered by Dave Campbell, KMF, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and recognition.
Recognition of Guest Designers and Presenters
The evening continued with recognition of all guest designers and presenters by Michael Gaddie AIFD, CFD, KMF and Bobby Eldridge AIFD, CFD, KMF. This year’s lineup included: Monica Richard, MWP – Mon Amie Events, Inc., Sharon Rumsey – A Perfect Plan Events, Jamie Lott – Events4U, Tom Bowling AIFD, CFD, PFCI, Angelyn Tipton AIFD, CFD, GMF, PFCI, Zachary Clevenger, Derek Woodruff AIFD, Kelsey Thompson AIFD, Kristina Stubblefield – So In Media Group, Cindy Hall AIFD, CFD, CF.
Recognition of FEPK Graduates
The 2025 FEPK graduates were honored and celebrated for their hard work and commitment to advancing their floral education, a milestone that reflects both personal dedication and the strength of the KFA community. Presented by Sherry Bridges, KMF (FEPC Director) and Instructor Tom Bowling, AIFD, CFD, PFCI.
President’s Award
The evening also featured the presentation of the President’s Award, given by Dave Campbell, KMF.
This year, the honor was presented to Michael Gaddie AIFD, CFD, KMF and Bobby Eldridge AIFD, CFD, KMF in recognition of their tireless dedication, leadership, and the countless hours they have invested in ensuring the success of the KFA Convention.
The award was also presented to Gayle Willoughby, KMF, celebrating her many years of service, commitment, and contributions to the growth and strength of the Kentucky Florists’ Association.
Design Contest Winners
One of the most anticipated moments of the Gala was the announcement of the Design Contest winners. Throughout the weekend, talented florists and students competed across multiple categories, showcasing creativity, technical skill, and artistry aligned with this year’s theme, A Floral Symphony.
Designer of the Year – Category Winners
Funeral Design (Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue): Bryan McCoy
Wedding Design (Diamonds and Pearls): Ashley Whitis
Designer’s Choice (Floral interpretation of your favorite song): Carolyn Minutille
Novice Designer of the Year: Candi Calvert FFA Winner: Makayla Taggart
Kentucky Cup Winner: Cindy Hall
Designer of the Year Competition: Live On Stage
The highlight of the Gala was the Designer of the Year Competition, the premier floral design contest in Kentucky.
Earlier in the weekend, designers entered three preliminary categories:
- Funeral Design – “Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue” (Peter Boyer)
- Wedding Design – “Diamonds and Pearls” (Prince – Bridal Bouquet, Mother’s Corsage, Boutonniere)
- Designer’s Choice – Floral interpretation of a favorite song
From these entries, judges selected four finalists: Bryan McCoy, Carolyn Minutillo, Brittany Harper, and Keith Bauer.
These finalists took the stage for a thrilling live design challenge. Each was given identical flowers and supplies and tasked with creating an original arrangement under timed conditions. The room buzzed with excitement as attendees cheered them on, watching creativity, mechanics, and artistry unfold in real time.
Meet the 2025–2027 KFA Board
The Gala also marked a moment of transition and celebration of leadership. The incoming 2025–2027 KFA Board of Directors was officially installed, ready to guide the association into the future with fresh ideas, dedication, and vision for the years ahead.
The Kentucky Florists’ Association is proud to introduce the dedicated leaders guiding us into the future. This talented group represents shops, schools, and professionals across the state, each bringing expertise, passion, and a shared commitment to strengthening Kentucky’s floral industry.
A Night to Remember
The Gala wrapped up with a dance party, where attendees celebrated late into the night, closing out Saturday on a joyful and high-energy note.
Special thanks to EC Flowers, Stems, KD & Company, and Randall Powell for the flowers that made the evening extraordinary.
Sunday, August 3 – Final Day of Inspiration
The final day of the 67th Annual KFA Convention began with breakfast and the last chance to browse the Trade Fair, giving attendees time to connect with vendors and explore new products before heading into a day of education and celebration.
Morning Sessions
Hands-On #3 – Body Flower Artistry
Instructor: Kelsey Tompson AIFD
Kelsey demonstrated the art of wearable flowers, showing creative techniques for corsages, floral jewelry, and accessories that continue to grow in popularity.
Design Program – Petal and Profit
Presenter: Angelyn Tipton AIFD, CFD, GMF, PFCI
Angelyn shared how florists can align artistry with business strategy, offering practical tips on profitability, pricing, and making creative design sustainable.
Hands-On #4 – Repeat, Reinvent, Reimagine
Instructor: Angelyn Tipton AIFD, CFD, GMF, PFCI
In this session, Angelyn showed how to take classic techniques and reimagine them in fresh, modern ways. Attendees gained skills for pushing creativity further while staying grounded in floral fundamentals.
Afternoon Sessions
Design Program #4 – Love’s Eternal Symphony
Presenter: Tom Bowling AIFD, CFD, PFCI
Tom blended artistry with emotion, presenting sympathy and memorial designs that provided comfort while showcasing innovation in floral design.
Design Program #5 – Funeral Crescendo of Creativity: Sympathy in Bloom
Presenter: Kelsey Tompson AIFD
Kelsey offered new approaches to sympathy work, combining tradition with fresh creativity to honor loved ones in meaningful ways.
Designer of the Year – Bryan McCoy
One of the most anticipated moments of the weekend was the announcement of the 2025 Kentucky Designer of the Year.
Your 2025 Designer of the Year is Bryan McCoy, Poppy’s Flower Bar
Bryan impressed the judges with his unique vision, technical skill, and ability to reflect the convention theme “Seasons in Harmony – A Floral Symphony.”
Bryan has become known for bringing fresh, creative energy to floral design, blending artistry with a personal touch that resonates with his clients and community. With this win, he will now represent Kentucky at upcoming floral events, carrying forward the state’s tradition of excellence in design.
Special recognition also goes to Carolyn Minutille, who earned the runner-up position for her exceptional talent and inspiring designs.
Closing the Convention
The 67th Annual KFA Convention concluded with gratitude, applause, and a look toward the future. After the Silent and Live Auctions wrapped up, attendees gathered for the big reveal of what’s next for KFA.
SAVE THE DATE!
The 68th Annual Kentucky Florists’ Association Convention will take place:
July 31 – August 2, 2026
Theme: Stayin’ Alive
Belterra Casino and Resort
More information will be available in October 2025, but for now, mark your calendars and get ready for another unforgettable weekend of floral design, education, and celebration.
With the announcement of next year’s theme and location, the 67th Convention came to an official close, leaving attendees inspired, connected, and already looking forward to gathering again in 2026.
Thank you to our 2025 Convention Sponsors
Thank you to Everyone
To everyone who attended, competed, sponsored, presented, or volunteered, thank you for making the 67th Annual KFA Convention a weekend to remember. Your energy, creativity, and support are what keep our community thriving. We look forward to growing together and can’t wait to welcome you back in 2026!