Convention Speakers 2026
Leading Kentucky’s Floral Community with Creativity, Experience, and Heart
The Kentucky Florists’ Association is guided by a dedicated group of floral professionals from across the region. Together, they bring decades of experience and a shared passion for helping Kentucky’s floral industry learn, grow, and bloom.
Now in his 46th year in the floral industry. He owned his retail flower shop for 20 years, worked in the floral wholesale business, is a consultant for some of the major growers and now works as a freelance designer. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Education from Miami University of Ohio.
Tom is a Past President and member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). He is also a member of Professional Floral Communicators International (PFCI), the Society of American Florists (SAF) and numerous state and allied associations. Tom is the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Tommy Bright Award for outstanding commentating.
Tom has been a featured main stage presenter four times for AIFD’s national symposium. His floral career also includes working as assistant floral director for the Academy Awards for 15 years and 20 years for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade. Tom was one of three judges for the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2016. He has designed and commentated at numerous local, regional, and national floral events, having designed for presidential inaugurations as well as many society events around the country. He is a member of Teleflora’s acclaimed Education Specialist Team and serves as coordinator for the Teleflora Design Academy.
Tom Bowling AIFD, PFCI
With over 13 years of design experience in the floral industry, Zachary Clevenger has established himself as a leading expert in high-end floral arrangements and custom balloon designs. Based in Southwest Lower Michigan, Zachary specializes in creating unique, bespoke balloon pieces and stunning backdrops, including hand-painted scenes that elevate any event.
Recognized as the 2025 Wisconsin Upper Michigan Floral Association Designer of the Year, Zachary's creativity shines brightest in wedding and couture bouquet designs, where he combines artistry with a keen understanding of his clients' visions. His freelance work has taken him across the country, working on diverse wedding and design projects that showcase his versatile skills and innovative approach. He also has created for the Tournament of Roses Parade
Currently, Zachary serves as a designer at an award-winning retail floral shop, where he continues to push the boundaries of floral artistry. His passion for creating breathtaking arrangements makes him a sought-after designer in the industry, and he looks forward to connecting with other floral professionals to share his expertise and collaborate on upcoming projects.
Zachary Clevenger, CFD
Bryan is a Kentucky floral designer based in Lexington Kentucky; He has been designing flowers professionally for over 10 years and has a passion for floral education, teaching workshops, mentoring, and unique elevated floral designs as well as sympathy design . He is the 2025 designer of the year, and a proud dedicated member of the Kentucky floral association.
Bryan McCoy KMF
Owner of Surroundings Events and Floral is known for his innovative and original style of work and ability to think on his feet. From the young age of 4, his love for flowers began at home, helping his parents plant their gardens, fine tuning his love of “playing” with flowers. With a degree in Supervision and Engineering Graphics from Purdue, he first began selling his floral artistry while employed at General Motors.
John’s forward thinking and design talents have placed him on top in numerous competitions. He is the national Sylvia Cup winner for 2011. He received the prestigious Designer of the Year award at the 1999 Michigan Floral Association annual convention and was a member of the design team for the Oscars in Los Angeles for 10 years. In addition, his work was commissioned by the U.S. Ambassador to Bermuda.
In 2001 he was asked to present a symposium-styled program in Sydney, Australia. In 2008, he helped produce a downtown London event for 600 guests (designing in a chicken cooler!), including royalty and celebrities. That year, he accepted the invitation to join Teleflora's prestigious team of Education Specialists and in 2010 became a member of Professional Floral Communicators International.
A continuing opportunity for John takes him to Scotland, where he collaborates with colleagues and many friends to contribute innovative and provocative new floral artistry and techniques to the international magazine Fusion as well as share his ideas with a broader audience. Since 2010, John has introduced new products and techniques to new markets for Fitz Design and Accent Décor, leading hands-on classes and designing for photo shoots for Flowers& Magazine and print catalogs. He is a member of Teleflora’s prestigious team of Education Specialists.
John Hosek AIFD, PFCI, CF, CAFA
Owner of Surroundings Events and Floral is known for his innovative and original style of work and ability to think on his feet. From the young age of 4, his love for flowers began at home, helping his parents plant their gardens, fine tuning his love of “playing” with flowers. With a degree in Supervision and Engineering Graphics from Purdue, he first began selling his floral artistry while employed at General Motors.
John’s forward thinking and design talents have placed him on top in numerous competitions. He is the national Sylvia Cup winner for 2011. He received the prestigious Designer of the Year award at the 1999 Michigan Floral Association annual convention and was a member of the design team for the Oscars in Los Angeles for 10 years. In addition, his work was commissioned by the U.S. Ambassador to Bermuda.
In 2001 he was asked to present a symposium-styled program in Sydney, Australia. In 2008, he helped produce a downtown London event for 600 guests (designing in a chicken cooler!), including royalty and celebrities. That year, he accepted the invitation to join Teleflora's prestigious team of Education Specialists and in 2010 became a member of Professional Floral Communicators International.
A continuing opportunity for John takes him to Scotland, where he collaborates with colleagues and many friends to contribute innovative and provocative new floral artistry and techniques to the international magazine Fusion as well as share his ideas with a broader audience. Since 2010, John has introduced new products and techniques to new markets for Fitz Design and Accent Décor, leading hands-on classes and designing for photo shoots for Flowers& Magazine and print catalogs. He is a member of Teleflora’s prestigious team of Education Specialists.
Doug Bates AIFD,CFD, PFCI, CEJ, CF
Kristina Stubblefield is a business strategist, speaker, and tech educator with more than 20 years of experience in digital marketing, websites, and business operations. She co-owns So In Media Group, a done-for-you digital marketing agency, alongside her husband Josh, where the team builds websites, optimizes online presence, and helps service-based businesses get found, get clarity, and grow with confidence.
Kristina has been working with websites since before most business owners even had one. From hand-coding sites in the early 2000s to today's AI-driven search landscape, she has watched the rules of online visibility shift again and again. That long view is exactly what allows her to cut through the noise and tell business owners what actually matters right now, not what mattered five years ago.
She is known for taking complicated topics like SEO, AI, and website strategy and making them feel clear, doable, and worth your time. Her approach is practical, never preachy. Whether she is on stage at a national conference, leading a workshop, or working one-on-one with a client, her goal is the same: help you walk away knowing what to do next.
Kristina has spoken for industry groups across the country, including the Kentucky Florists' Association, the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, The Clean Show, the Central Florida Wedding Association, and the Independent Electrical Contractors. She also hosts the Behind the Strategy podcast, where she shares real-world insights for business owners who want to grow without getting buried in tech.
When she is not speaking or building strategy for clients, you will find her testing new tools, asking better questions, and reminding business owners that progress beats perfection every single time.
Kristina Stubblefield
Bridget is a floral designer, educator, and industry leader with nearly 30 years of experience. Based in Magnolia, Arkansas, she is the owner of Bridget's on the Square,
a 7500 sq ft flower shop known for its creative artistry and technical excellence. Bridget currently serves as President-Elect of the South Central Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and President of the Downtown Magnolia District, reflecting her commitment to leadership and advancing the floral profession.
Bridget is an award winning designer who has contributed to the iconic Rose Parade for eight years, including five years designing with the state of Louisiana, and has served on the Arkansas governor’s inaugural floral team. Her work has also been featured in the renowned holiday installations at Cheekwood in Nashville, TN.
Bridget teaches and designs across the country, with her work appearing in industry publications and on television, inspiring the next generation of floral designers.
Bridget B. Joslin, AAF, AIFD, AMF, CFD
