Designer Of The Year
Honoring Kentucky’s Most Talented Floral Designers
Each year, the Kentucky Florists’ Association hosts its annual Designer of the Year Competition during the KFA Convention.
This is the premier floral design competition in the state, an exciting opportunity for florists to showcase their artistry, technique, and creativity in front of peers and industry leaders.
Participants compete in three major floristry categories: wedding, sympathy, and arrangement.
The four designers with the highest combined scores after the preliminary round advance to a live, on-stage surprise box challenge, where they create a design in 20 minutes time to determine the next Kentucky Florists’ Association Designer of the Year.
All competitions take place during the Annual Convention, a three-day celebration of learning, creativity, and connection for Kentucky’s floral community.
2025 Kentucky Designer of the Year
Congratulations to Our 2025 Winner
Bryan McCoy
Lexington, KY – Poppy’s Flower Bar
Bryan was recognized for his artistry, technical skill, and ability to bring this year’s theme, “Seasons in Harmony: A Floral Symphony”, beautifully to life.
The Kentucky Florists’ Association congratulates Bryan and all competitors who shared their creativity and passion at the 2025 KFA Convention.
About The Competition
Designers create and submit their themed pieces for each category at the Annual Convention, where entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals.
The four designers with the highest overall scores advance to a live, on-stage final Sunday morning, where they complete a timed design challenge. One finalist is then named Kentucky Florists’ Association Designer of the Year.
Category winners are also selected in each division, recognizing outstanding work among designers who do not advance to the final round.
Who Can Compete
The Designer of the Year Competition is open to current KFA members in good standing.
Florists of all experience levels are encouraged to enter, whether you own a shop, design for events, or work in a wholesale or retail floral setting.
Not yet a member?
Join today to become eligible for this and all other KFA competitions and awards.
Recognition & Opportunities
The winner earns the title of Kentucky Florists’ Association Designer of the Year, a mark of excellence recognized across the industry.
Designer of the Year receives:
On-stage recognition during the Awards Ceremony
Featured spotlight on KFA’s website and social media
Opportunities to represent KFA at state and regional floral events
A stipend to represent Kentucky at the Mid-America Design Competition
Guest designer to present a stage show at the following year’s KFA Convention
A full scholarship to the FEPK Kentucky Master Florist (KMF) Program
A trophy and medal
How To Enter
Registration for the 2026 Designer of the Year Competition will open alongside Annual Convention registration.
Competition themes to be announced soon! Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.
Past Designers Of The Year
Year | Winner | Location
1961
Tom Danhauer
Morganfield, KY
1962
Virginia Korb
Louisville, KY
1966
Ken Jackson
Glasgow, KY
1967
R. Norwood Leet
Louisville, KY
1968
Carol Mitchell AIFD
Lexington, KY
1973
Donald Colvin
Prestonburg, KY
1976
Harriette Miller AAF KMF
Louisville, KY
1983
David Park
Evarts, KY
1984
Wayne Esterle AIFD KMF
Louisville, KY
1985
Carla Perciful
Radcliff, KY
1986
Julie Klaene AIFD KMF
Alexandria, KY
1987
Donnie Harris
Louisville, KY
1988
Barbara Scott AIFD
Edgewood, KY
1989
Terri Nicewonder Munnich
Cincinnati, OH
1990
Tina Richardson AIFD KMF
Lexington, KY
1991
Terry Brink AIFD KMF
Erlinger, KY
1992
Emie Nelson AIFD AAF
Mayfield, KY
1993
Tim Lieber KMF
Cincinnati, OH
1995
Anne Fudge
Louisville, KY
1996
Michael Gaddie AIFD CFD KMF
Louisville, KY
1997
Helen Elliott AIFD KMF
Mayfield, KY
1998
Freda Houck KMF
Louisville, KY
1999
Donna Fields AIFD KMF
London, KY
2000
Lyquita Sheakley KMF
Louisville, KY
2001
Benjamin Lee AIFD CFD KMF
Frankfort, K
2002
Keith Vislay KMF
Cincinnati, OH
2003
Jason Smith KMF
Grayson, KY
2004
Lynn Pennington KMF
Versailles, KY
2005
Tammy Gibson AIFD CFD
KMFLouisville, KY
2006
Gayle Willoughby KMF
Lexington, KY
2007
Laura Thompson KMF
Louisville, KY
2008
Chad Ellis KMF
Lexington, KY
2009
Mark Bradford KMF
Grayson, KY
2010
Edward Rogers KMF
Versailles, KY
2012
Paul Latham AIFD CFD KMF
Louisville, KY
2013
Diane Carter
Louisville, KY
2014
Jane Willoughby KMF
Lexington, KY
2015
Kim Lockman KMF
Lexington, KY
2016
Sara Tipton KMF
Versailles, KY
2017
Lisa Thompson KMF
Nicholasville, KY
2018
Dave Campbell KMF
Lexington, KY
2019
Chase Mosko KMF
London, KY
2021
Benjamin Lee AIFD CFD KMF
Frankfort, KY
2022
Randall Powell AIFD CFD KMF
Conway, KY
2023
Daron Frazier
Bowling Green, KY
2024
Cindy Hall CF CFD AIFD
Brookville, IN
2025
Bryan McCoy
Lexington, KY
Be The Next To Take The Stage
Think you’ve got what it takes to be the next KFA Designer of the Year?
Join us at the 2026 Annual Convention and show the floral world what you can create.
Designer of the Year FAQs
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The competition is open to current KFA members in good standing, including florists of all experience levels.
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Participants compete in multiple design categories, with top scorers advancing to a live, timed final challenge.
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The winner earns the title of KFA Designer of the Year, along with recognition, promotional features, and opportunities to represent KFA.