2014 Southern Conference
Click here to download the event brochure.
HOTEL INFORMATION:
Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort
5445 Frederica Rd.
St Simons, GA 31522
912-638-3351
www.seapalms.com
Deluxe Guest Room – Double $119.00 per night. Suites and Condos are available but limited.
Call Sea Palms for rate details. Book Early!
Directions from Jacksonville Airport to Sea Palms Resort:
- Take I-95 North
- Take exit 29, go east
- Follow signs to St Simons Island
- The commute is about 50 minutes.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, April 4
8 a.m. – noon – Student Competition
1 – 5 p.m. – Registration Open
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Wine and Cheese Reception with Partners
Saturday, April 5
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Registration Open
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Steps to Membership
10 – 11:30 a.m. – “Cherry on Top” featuring Jackie Lacey AIFD, CFD, PFCI
Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch
2 -4 p.m. – “Showcase on Wedding Bouquet Trends & Beyond” featuring Rene Van Rems AIFD, CFD
4 -5 p.m. – Student Corsage Bar Opens
6:30 p.m. – Cocktails
7:30 p.m. – President’s Dinner
Sunday, April 6
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Registration Open
9 -10:30 a.m. – “Sticks & Stones” featuring Greg Lum AIFD, CFD
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – “OMG, Floral Designs for the Next Generation” featuring Brooke Raulerson AIFD, CFD
12:30 p.m. – Lunch
2 -5 p.m. – Rene Van Rems Three Hour Workshop “Beyond DIY” (separate registration required)
REGISTRATION:
| Full Registration: | AIFD Members | Non AIFD Members |
| Register by March 30 | $295.00 | $350.00 |
| Register after March 30 | $350.00 | $395.00 |
| Education Only: | AIFD Members | Non AIFD Members |
| $195.00 | $245.00 |
| Other Registration Options: | AIFD Members | Non AIFD Members |
| Saturday Only – Programs and Lunch | $150.00 | $200.00 |
| President’s Dinner Only | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Sunday Only – Programs and Lunch | $100.00 | $150.00 |
| Rene van Rems Workshop* | $145.00 | $150.00 |
*Must be registered for conference to attend workshop
Registration is now closed. Please register on-site.
VENDOR INFORMATION:
PRESENTER BIOS:
Gerry Gregg AIFD, CFD “Sticks & Stones”
Gerry’s unique style and design, California Natural, stems from his childhood. Growing up in Northern California has greatly influenced Gerry’s passion for flowers and nature. He started his career inspired by the raw, lush, wild nature of California, and brought his ideals abroad to Europe after serving in the Marines.
Inducted into AIFD in July 2006, Gerry continued designing in Southern California where he worked in one of the premier floral shops in Venice, quickly becoming one of the area’s top designers and winning many awards. He has returned to Northern California and opened his own award-winning wholesale shop. Orange Man Wholesale specializes in California Natural products.
Gerry has been bringing his unique eye for floral design to the forefront of Northern California innovations. He was the 2010 winner of the California State Floral Association Top Ten Competition. Until his presentation at AIFD National Symposium in July 2011, his style never had a name. California Natural is exactly what its name implies – nature-inspired, bright colors, natural products.
Jackie Lacey AIFD, CFD, PFCI “Cherry on Top”
Jackie Lacey has over thirty years of experience in the retail floral market and floral education field. His portfolio includes an extensive background in the retail floral market and wedding/event design experience. Jackie now utilizes his experience to provide education and instructional design programs, market showroom set up, private retail consulting, product development as well as design and event planning. His current position as Senior Design Analyst and Education Specialist for Floriology Institute, Design Team and Product Development Team for BloomNet and Napco, Fitz Design Team and ongoing contributor for Floriology Magazine keep him on top of market trends, current design trends, industry education and retail marketing.
Jackie has won numerous awards in floral design competitions in both multi state, national and local floral associations. Published articles have appeared on both his expertise and floral experience. His work has been published in Floriology Magazine, SAF, “Flowers &”, “Modern Bride”, “Inside Weddings” and many others. National Television exposure includes designing and participation for WE TV programs “Platinum Weddings” and “I Do Over” as a Celebrations.Com Floral Expert. Previous work for celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Diane Lane, Cheryl Ladd, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio have come easily through participation with floral design on several major motion pictures.
Continuing education through numerous stage presentations for multi State Associations and national industry leaders such as Virgin Farms Direct, Smithers-Oasis, BloomNet, FTD, Fitz Design Team, Floral Strategies and John Henry Company allow Jackie to help the continued growth of the floral industry. Experience in floral design for the Tournament of Roses Parade floats, product development team for the largest Import/Export show in the world and set up and design for Gift Market showrooms only adds to the vast floral experience he can call on for every event.
He has served as a leader in numerous industry associations to include current position as AIFD National Membership Committee Chairman, CFD Committee, International Committee and past Southern AIFD Board of Directors. His extensive travels across the country, Hong Kong, China and Europe afford many opportunities for him to interact with designers of all levels and share this extensive background and experience to florists everywhere.
Brooke Raulerson AIFD, CFD “OMG, Floral Designs For The Next Generations”
Brooke began her floral design career in 1996 as she assisted her mother with the family business at the age of 15. She soon realized she had a passion for design and an abundance of energy to offer the floral industry. Brooke purchased the family business, Artistic Florist, located in beautiful Amelia Island, Florida in 2005. She is an accredited Florida State Master Designer and was inducted in the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2009. Brooke’s floral design and bouquets have been sown on David Tutera’s show. “My Fair Wedding”, Jacksonville Luxury Living Magazine and featured in Water’s Edge publications. Brooke also belongs to a highly coveted design team led and selected by Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD. In 2010, Brooke won “Designer of the Year” for the Florida State Florist Association. In addition to she floral art expertise in visual merchandising with Corporate retailers such as Dillaids and Stienmart. Brooke enjoys freelancing for floral and supply companies such as Accent Décor of Atlanta, Georgia and Greenpoint Nursery of Hilo, Hawaii. Brooke’s industry mission is to keep the passion alive in the floral industry and to promote retail florists.
Rene Van Rems AIFD, CFD, PFCI “Showcase on Wedding Bouquets Trends & Beyond”
Rene Van Rems is a world-renowned ambassador of the floral industry. Originallt from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Rene has called San Diego, California, home for over 20 years. He is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), The National Speakers Association, and the Professional Floral Commentators International (PFCI).
Rene was formally educated in the entire spectrum of Floriculture/ Horticulture through his studies at the Rijksmiddelbare Tuinbouwschool at Aalsmeer (floral institute). He has led design shows, workshops, and seminars throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia on the styling of fresh cut flowers.
In 1995, the American Horticultural Society awarded him the Francis Jones Poetker Award, and in 2001, Van Rems was the recipient of the Los Angeles Flower Market’s first annual Rene van Rems Award for excellence in design education. In 2009, Rene was recognized with the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry.
Program: “Showcase on Wedding Bouquets Trends & Beyond”…a catalog of floral wedding styles.
This Program is designed to boost the professional designers to stock up on skills to not only create but also sell wedding at the right margin! The presentation would follow some of the chapters of “Rene’s Bouquets for Brides’, the latest book by Rene van Rems, AIFD. The program will focus on “looks and themes” of wedding decor styles including centerpiece concepts.
Rene van Rems AIFD, PFCI “Beyond DIY”…FAST Skill based wedding bouquets! Hands-On Workshop
Learn the latest tips and tricks for fast and stylish bridal bouquets that will last three days (or more!), in this high energy workshop for industry members with basic wedding skill or more. We will follow the ideas showcased in the wedding show, presented by Rene van Rems on Saturday, April 5, 2014
Learn how to design effortlessly in bouquet holders, quickly upgrade bouquet handles into accessories, upgrade bouquets with bling in an organic way and how to cut labor in wedding design projects.
This hands-on class has been offered through-out the country and is considered a “must attend” class since all projects are “real-time” solutions to industry challenges.
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