North Carolina State Florists Association

NCSFA Speechless 2024 Convention Competitions and Workshops

REMINDER: The deadline for all entries is August 9 by 12:00 p.m. There is NO age limit to enter competitions. If you're only able to attend one day, it is allowed for you to enter a competition held on that day if you have an ALL DAY ticket for the same day.

Competitions:

DOY Chairperson: Reggie Walser

Entries will be determined by the order in which their entry was received by the contest Chairperson. There will be three categories of design:

  1. Sympathy Design
  2. Wedding 
  3. Designer’s Choice

Contestants may not use any materials or supplies other than what is provided by the committee. Only fresh and/or natural flowers and/or foliage is allowed.

Extension cord, glue and glue pan, oasis corsage glue, stem tape, a knife, scissors, a couple of chenille stems, wire cutters or snips, bind wire (if possible), wire (two different gauges), and zip ties. No Green GLO or spray adhesives are allowed. An extra bucket for you to sort your flowers and greenery will also be available. There will be a briefing 30 minutes prior to starting.

Body Flowers Competition Chairperson: Monica Noa

Any member of the NCSFA registered for the convention or any employee of a member’s shop may enter.

Entries may consist of fresh flowers, dried and/or natural materials, and/or permanent botanicals. Models will be provided, and no back or neck braces will be allowed. You may pink into hair or onto a hat form. Two walkthroughs are allowed. Arrangements must be worn by one person without assistance. In case of a tie, the highest score in “Technical Execution/Mechanics Concealed” will produce the winner.

Headdress Competition Chairperson: Monica Noa

Any member of the NCSFA registered for the convention or any employee of a member’s shop may enter. Headdress may consist of fresh flowers and foliage, dried and natural materials, permanent botanicals or a combination of both. The design must be consistent with the convention theme or theme provided by the headdress committee.

Models will be provided. Back or neck braces will be allowed. Arrangements must be worn by one person without assistance. Height must not exceed over three feet above the models head and diameter must not exceed three feet either. Completed headdresses must not weigh more than 10 pounds.

Speechless 2024 Artwork

 


NC Jim Treadaway Cup Chairperson: Michael Whaley, AIFD

There will be a pre-briefing 30 minutes prior to the competition. This year, entrants will interpret an artwork piece (image copy seen to the side) that was commissioned by Teresa Everhart. Entries must be a fresh and/or dried material floral design within a four-foot square area for display. Each entrant will be responsible for all materials needed for the display including props, tables, etc. The entries will be on display to the public and judged on interpretation, scale, color harmony and design mechanics.  

Miniature Competition Chairperson: Kaylynne Clark Lanning

Designs may be constructed of fresh, dried and natural materials, permanent botanicals or a combination of any items. 

Only one entry per person is allowed, and the entry must adhere to the theme of the 2024 convention.

The design must fit inside of a 5″ x 5″ cube without touching any part. 

Three qualified impartial judges will be selected by the judging committee.

Sweetheart Table Competition Chairperson: Cindy Tole

Any member of the NCSFA registered for the convention or any employee of a member’s shop may enter. Centerpiece size must be functional and not interfere with place settings, condiments, etc. The centerpiece entry must adhere to the ‘Speechless’ theme of this year’s convention. 

Only fresh flowers and foliage, dried and natural materials or a combination of these may be used. Contestants must provide their own flowers, materials, props and accessories for this competition. There is NO price limit on any of these items. All items must be stable and physically secure at all times.

A three foot round table, seven linen options and seven chair options will be provided for contestants. Florists can also provide their own options of China, chargers, glassware, or flatware or use the hotel’s in-house China. 

More specific details will be sent out after contestants’ registration is confirmed.

Bridal Bouquet Competition Chairperson: Clark Goodin, NCCPF

Any member of the NCSFA registered for the convention or any employee of a member’s shop may enter. Designs may be constructed of fresh, dried or natural materials, permanent materials or a combination of any items. There are NO limitations on the style or theme of the bouquet design contestants produce. There is no price limit on any materials or accessories used in this competition. There may be only one entry per person. Contestants must provide a physically stable and secure means of displaying bouquets in a professional manner, such as a type of vessel or bouquet stand. 

Boutonniere Competition Chairperson: Caitlin Chappell

Any member of the NCSFA registered for the convention or any employee of a member’s shop may enter. Boutonniere size must be functional. All entries must adhere to the ‘Speechless’ theme of this year’s convention. Designs can be created in a pocket square, full lapel or pin-on style.

Only fresh flowers and foliage, dried and natural materials or a combination of these may be used. Contestants must provide their own flowers, materials, props and accessories for this competition. There is NO price limit on any of these items.

Workshops:

Open to all registered attendees.

Description coming soon!

Instructed by Michael Whaley, AIFD, CFD

Classic and traditional floral designs are often based on geometric forms: the triangle, rectangle, circle and variations derived from those forms (e.g., oval, fan, etc.).  This workshop explores updated versions of designs using geometric forms in a fresh way to enhance contemporary designs. We will focus on the circle and create tatami structures as the basis for our arrangements.

Please bring your knife, wire cutters and pruning shears.

Instructed by Terry Godfrey, AIFD, EMC, CEJ

Registration:

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BOTANICAL BODY FLOWER WORKSHOP
.....artistic design in real time with a unique perspective
3:00 - 4:30 pm Inquire at Registration table

This hands-on workshop will give you mechanical concepts and skills to easily construct intricate and impressive floral accessories to offer beyond corsages. These techniques will set you up to create designs that are updated, fashion-forward and artful while remaining mechanically strong and wearable.
* Please bring your own tools, i.e. clippers, scissors, wire cutters, and knives.

Heather Ann Miller, NCCPF is the creative director of Eclectic Sage, a Raleigh based event design and floral studio. While spending many years working in the interior architectural design field, Heather also explored product and textile design. During these explorations, she realized she loved the studio experience and started contributing her artistic eye for colors, trends, and design to a wide variety of projects. Her venture with Eclectic Sage bridges her various art forms and allows her to lend a unique perspective to every design. To see some of her work check out her website www.eclecticsage.com and follow her on Instagram where she often shares behind the scene stories. @eclecticsage

Sponsored by the NCSFA Education Committee

FREE to observe for Weekend Ticket Holders - $25 to Participate
Please pre-register so we'll know how many flowers to provide.

CONVENTION 2019 FRIDAY BOTANICAL BODY FLOWER WORKSHOP

FFA WORKSHOP - Impress your AG Department
presented by former NCSFA President
Friday   4:30 - 6:30 pm in the Mendenhall Room
Sherri Suttle, Bostic, NC

Whether you are making arrangements for an FFA banquet , prom, etc. , learn how to make designs with an unexpected twist that will leave students and teachers alike in awe of what just came from the Ag Department! We will be using a variety of flowers, floral products and non traditional design products to create beautiful centerpieces that are sure to be a hit. Sherri will be showing you design tips, tricks and ideas, but this is a hands on class as well. So……. let your creative juices start flowing now!

$15 Discount Coupon for Members in the Members Zone

CONVENTION 2019 FRIDAY FFA WORKSHOP CHECKOUT

DESIGN II PROGRAM - "Will You Marry Me"
secrets will be revealed from a pro .....
Saturday - 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm in the Chimney Rock Room

Flowers are much more than flowers in the 21st century, and to separate yourselves from the competition, you need to do much more than just flowers.  This program will open your eyes to possibilities that have worked well for Fresh Affairs and Michael will share some of their secrets that will help you take a different approach to your consults and services that you should be offering!

Michael Whaley Aifd Cfd has over three decades of experience in the floral industry and has been involved with every aspect during his career. He has a passion for continuing self-education and, more importantly, sharing that acquired knowledge with other designers in the industry. Over the years he has studied with some of the greatest designers in the world including Gregor Lersch, Hitomi Gilliam, Tomas De Bruyne and Per Benjamin among others.  Michael has been awarded NCSFA Designer of the Year and Southern Retail Florist Association Designer of the Year.  His love of interpretive design led him to The Jim Treadway Cup for interpretive design and after winning this coveted competition three times he was inducted into the Jim Treadway Hall of Fame.  He was also a regional representative for Americas Cup, Great American Design Competition.  Michael was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers and has been heavily involved with programs presented at AIFD National Symposium. He is currently the chairman of the National Education Committee, serves as vice president of the Southern Chapter of AIFD, and is an AIFD certified evaluator/judge.  Michael currently works as Creative Director for Fresh Affairs, an upscale wedding and special events studio based in Raleigh, NC. 

Get Your Brand New 2019 NCSFA Member Lapel Pin

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