Guest Designers & Presenters

Tom is 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.

tabfloral@yahoo.com

With over 12 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.

clevenger05@gmail.com

Derek joined the floral industry at the age of 16 where he began learning floral design in vocational school and working for a local florist. Since then, he has continued to study through institutes such as Michigan State University, Great Lakes Floral Association, and the American Institute of Floral Designers. 

In 2008 he launched his own business, Floral Underground and is currently the Lead Designer and Educator for Syndicate Sales. Derek is a captivating speaker who specializes in “today’s consumer” connecting and engaging them through different types of media including demonstrations, subscription services and hands-on workshops. 

In addition to being an educator, Derek is considered a “National Floral Design Champion” spending many years polishing the practice of live floral design competition which has won him numerous awards of note, including second runner-up on the televised reality show called: "The Arrangement", the 2016 Sylvia Cup, and the 2024 Floriexpo Iron Designer.

dwoodruff@syndicatesales.com

Angelyn's life story is filled with a deep-rooted connection to the floral industry. Growing up in her mother's flower shop, she became immersed in the world of flowers from a young age. At 16, she officially joined her mom's business, taking on the roles of a designer and delivery person, providing her with valuable hands-on experience.

Her journey in the floral industry expanded as she attended various state and national conventions, Over the span of nearly four decades, Angelyn has dedicated herself to staying updated on the latest floral trends through continuous education. Her active involvement in associations such as the Georgia State and Florida State Associations, along with her role as a Certified Evaluator for GSFA, showcases her commitment to the floral community. 

Her active membership in the American Institute of Floral Design is a testament to her leadership and dedication to the floral design community. She was elected to the Southern Chapter board in 2018 and served as AIFD Southern Chapter President in 2023/24

Angelyn's involvement in prestigious events like decorating floats at the Rose Bowl Parade for Fiesta Floats, working on projects for well-known entities like Miracle Grow, City of Torrance, Kaiser Permanente, and the Chinese American Heritage Foundation, highlights her expertise and creativity.

Currently serving as the Education Manager at Floriology Institute, Angelyn plays a crucial role in guiding students through their floral education journey and helping them prepare for certifications. As an instructor at the institute, she contributes to shaping the next generation of floral designers, fueled by her passion for education.

Angelyn's freelance work has taken her across the country, earning her awards for both wedding designs and floral competitions. Her impressive portfolio extends to television and movie projects, as well as features in industry magazines. Notably, her work has been published in the AIFD's Artistic Floral Design Book and the AIFD Guide to Floral Design Vol. III.

Angelyn Tipton 

Floriology Institute

ATipton@floriologyinstitute.com

Kelsey Thompson is a retail florist, marketing nerd, Sylvia Cup award winning designer, and Education Specialist for the Oasis "Stems & Success" program. Along with her brick and mortar shop Bloom Floral + Home Studio, Kelsey provides marketing content and business education through her online business, Petals and Profits.  

Her expertise is combining creative floral design with creative business growth ideas. She has a passion for helping  florists streamline their systems and pursue their passions. 

kelsey@petalsandprofits.com

Cindy Hall has been in the floral industry for over 40 years. She has studied horticulture and floral culture and believes in continuing education in the floral industry. Cindy is a member of the Great Lakes Floral Association and is also a certified florist CF. She is also a member of the Kentucky floral Association and will take the Kentucky master florist class later this summer . 

She was inducted into AIFD in 2023 .Cindy enjoys competing in design contest and place third in AIFD design of the decades 1960s & 2000’s competition and placed second in AIFD design of the decades 1990s competition and is the current designer of the year for Kentucky.

Cindy and her husband Roy have been married almost 35 years and share three daughters and 11 grandchildren . They own Four Seasons Florist in Brookville Indiana.

cindykhall@yahoo.com

Kristina Stubblefield is a business strategist, speaker, and coach who helps small business owners simplify systems, clarify strategy, and grow with confidence. With over two decades of experience in digital marketing and technology, she’s known for making complex topics — like automation, systems, and AI — approachable and actionable.

Through her one-on-one coaching, Strategy Sessions, and the AI Simplified podcast, Kristina empowers solopreneurs to streamline their operations and show up consistently online. She’s also the co-owner of So In Media Group, a digital marketing agency offering done-for-you services.

Whether mapping out a client journey or teaching AI at a conference, Kristina’s mission is clear: simplify the chaos so business owners can lead with clarity, not burnout.

kristina@soinmediagroup.com

www.soinmediagroup.com 

Mon Amie Events, Inc was founded over 10 years ago by Monica Richard, MWP ™.   Her strength lies in making her clients’ experience less stressful and more magical.  This stems from her background at Walt Disney World. By focusing on logistics, Monica’s goal is to make each of her clients feel as though they are guests at their own events, while allowing them to step into a fantasy beyond their wildest expectations. 

Planning weddings and social events are often big experiences and life changing events.  Monica wants her clients and their guests to long remember these moments, so she ensures the planning process and the event itself are a time of great joy.  Working directly with each of her clients is important, so Mon Amie Events, Inc only takes a limited number of clients annually to give this personalized and couture service. That way, when the event comes, Monica’s clients can immerse themselves in the environment, and enjoy the memories with their guests.

While awards and accolades have come from a number of industry magazines, blogs and organizations, including being named to the Indianapolis Business Journal 2015 Class of 40 Under 40, Monica is also proud to be part of the faculty for Indiana University.  She is seen as the preeminent leader in social special event planning, so has served as an adjunct instructor at her alma mater Indiana University. (both in Bloomington, IN and at their Indianapolis campus.) 

Monica also has joined the exclusive ranks, being one of the first fifty people in the world who has earned the distinction Master Wedding Planner™

Jamie is the owner and lead planner/coordinator of Events 4 U. Jamie has been in business since 2006, planning weddings and events. Jamie has done many weddings in the U.S. and internationally. She also does many corporate and charity events as well each year. 

Jamie is married to Bill Lott and they have two daughters and 3 grandchildren. Her favorite pastime is spoiling the grandchildren.
 

Events4U

https://events4ulouisville.com/

Events4U@twc.com

Lakshmi’s passion towards planning and decor started daughter.an eye towards detailing made me learn and explore many areas of event industry.

As a wedding planner specializing in multi-cultural weddings, I understand the unique needs and desires of couples from diverse backgrounds. Whether you're looking for full-service wedding planning, partial wedding planning, or day-of coordinating, I am here to help make your special day everything you've dreamed of and more. 

With my expertise in planning weddings that honor multiple traditions and customs, I will work closely with you to ensure that every aspect of your wedding reflects your cultural heritage while still incorporating your individual style and vision. From finding the perfect venue to coordinating with vendors, managing logistics, and ensuring a seamless ceremony and reception, I will be there every step of the way to create an unforgettable celebration of your love. 

addala1.lakshmi@gmail.com

Sharon Rumsey is a professional wedding planner who brings over 30 years of healthcare experience to the wedding industry—combining empathy, precision, and a calm, client-focused approach. After five years working alongside her DJ husband, she launched her own planning business and quickly became known for her seamless execution, strong communication skills, and ability to foster collaboration among vendors. 

Sharon believes that curating the right team of professionals is key to a successful event—and she works closely with each vendor to ensure everyone is supported, aligned, and set up to deliver their best work. Guided by the philosophy, “If you do your work  at practice, game day is automatic,” Sharon makes sure every detail is covered long before the wedding day begins.

She is Timeline Genius Certified and an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association of Wedding Consultants, Louisville Wedding Network, Inclusive Kentucky Weddings, and the St. Matthews Chamber of Commerce. Sharon is committed to continued education and is passionate about sharing real-world strategies that help fellow professionals build trust, elevate teamwork, and create truly stress-free wedding experiences.

A Perfect Plan Events

https://aperfectplanevents.com/

sharon@aperfectplanevents.com