Speechless 2024 is all about elevating your position in the sought after wedding and event markets by coaching you on how to network and build lasting relationships that will set you apart from the competition with tremendous educational opportunities. We will provide you with the tools you need to open new doors, create and rejuvenate revenue streams, and turn everyday connections into cheerleaders for your floral business, leaving you truly SPEECHLESS for years to come!
Registration:
Gala Only tickets start at $150.
Saturday Only tickets start at $149.
Sunday Only tickets start at $249.
Monday Only tickets start at $349.
Full Weekend tickets start at $599.
Our Speakers:
Megan Gillikin
Wedding Business Coach, Educator, Speaker & Podcast Host
Ace Berry, AIFD, CFD, TMF
Owner of Ace in Full Bloom & Owner/Lead Floral Designer of Fulshear Floral Design in Houston, Texas
Ace Berry, AIFD, CFD, TMF, worked in the oil fields of Texas for over five years before finding his true passion…FLOWERS!!! Ace opened his own floral shop in Fulshear, Texas in July of 2016. He earned his Texas Master Florist (TMF) in 2012 and was unit president for Teleflora in 2013. Ace has passion for the industry and paying it forward – mentoring new designers and teaching educational programs and classes. He has travelled the country taking classes and working with some of the best designers in the world! Ace was inducted in the American Institute of Floral Designers in Denver, Colorado in 2015. In 2017, Ace won Houston Designer and in 2018, he was the second runner-up in Texas Designer of the Year. But in 2019, Ace became the Texas Designer of the Year. Ace was Inducted into PFCI in 2019. Then in 2020, Ace was cast on the reality TV show, “Full Bloom”, which is a floral competition streamed on HBO Max, in which Ace was the runner-up. In 2022, Ace was one of the featured Designers at Fleuramour in Bilzen, Belgium. Ace’s latest project that he is working on is “Urban Fiori”, which is a concept that pulls floral art, retail life, and events all together! In 2024, he was the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Museum of Art’s Art in Bloom and a featured designer for The New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Dinner at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Ace is very excited to play a part in the future of this amazing industry and share some of his knowledge with floral designers in August at the 2024 NCSFA Convention!
Terry Godfrey, AIFD,
EMC, CEJ
Freelance Floral Designer &
Floral Educator
Barry West, AIFD
Owner and Chief Designer of Blossoms Events in Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina
Jaclyn Pline, CFD
Owner of The Skinny Vase in
Raleigh, North Carolina
Christina Yan
Founder and CEO of Bellevue Floral Co. in Napa, California
Accommodations:
Please note: Rooms at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley must be reserved by July 22 for the 2024 NCSFA Convention.
Schedule:
Saturday
August 10
Hands-On Workshop – Michael Whaley, AIFD, CFD
The Competition Journey
Designer of the Year (DOY) Competition
Body Flowers and Headdress Competition
Cocktail Hour and Welcome Party
Sunday
August 11
Breakfast
Keynote Address – Megan Gillikin
Join us for this keynote on the power of relationship building and discover how proactive, strategic networking can be a game-changer for your floral business. Learn how to approach networking and relationship building in a NEW, fresh way and stand out from the sea of sameness in your market. This session will help you open new doors, build new revenue streams, and turn clients and vendor connections into superfans of your floral business.
Program 1 – Ace Berry
Haute Couture Wedding Creations
Our wedding floral program features stunning arrangements crafted with elegance and care, designed to enhance every moment of your special day. Central to our offerings are the exquisite floral headdresses by Ace Berry, blending artistry and nature to create breathtaking pieces that crown brides with beauty and grace. These unique headdresses, meticulously crafted with fresh blooms, add a touch of sophistication and charm, ensuring you shine on your wedding day.
Jim Treadaway Competition
Program 2 – Terry Godfrey, AIFD, EMC and Laura Finan
All About the World of Interpretive Design
This program offers viewers an immersive experience into the world of interpretative floral design. Through live demonstrations on stage, talented designers showcase their unique and unconventional floral arrangements. Accompanied by insightful commentary from Terry Godfrey AIFD, EMC and Laura Finan of the North Carolina Museum of Art, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the artistry and creativity behind interpretive floral design.
Sweetheart Table Competition
Breakout Sessions
Photography – James Walters
Petal Perfect: Smartphone Techniques for Stunning Flower Photos
James Walters wants to demystify photography and show you how to capture the stunning beauty of flowers using just your smartphone. This session will cover essential photography principles, practical tips for achieving professional-quality shots, and simple editing techniques to enhance your images. Whether you’re looking to boost your social media presence or create a captivating portfolio, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to make your floral photography truly blossom. Join James to unlock the full potential of your smartphone camera and elevate your flower photography to new heights!
Stationery – Theresa Jatko Designs
Cohesive Elegance: The Art of Harmonizing Stationery with Florals and Decor
I’ll delve into the art of using stationery to harmonize with florals and decor, by weaving these elements seamlessly together, we curate an atmosphere that speaks to luxury and attention to detail, enhancing the overall ambiance of any event. Through thoughtful design choices and cohesive aesthetics, we can elevate the guest experience, creating memorable moments that linger long after the event concludes.
Bridal Bouquet Competition
Boutonniere Competition
Miniature Competition
Lunch
Program 3 – Panel Discussion with Wedding Planners
Program 4 – Jeffrey Surles
Timeless Ceremonies
This program from Jeffrey Surles offers a collection of elegant and romantic designs for wedding ceremonies. Each design is carefully curated to create a beautiful and memorable atmosphere for our clientele’s special day. From intricate details to a timeless color palette this program provides a range of options to suit your unique style. Whether you envision a classic and timeless theme or an on trend style this design showcase will help you create truly enchanting and memorable wedding ceremonies!
Breakout Sessions
Website Design – Wilkinson Creative Co.
Production – Capital Productions
Entertainment – Bunn DJ Company
Program 5 – Morgan Howell Moylan
Walking Down the Aisle with Bespoke Bouquets
Cocktail Hour
Dinner
Program 6 – David Powers (Teleflora)
Speechless Tablescapes
Monday
August 12
Breakfast
Program 7 – Barry West
Elevate: Reception Transformation
A program showcasing the transformation of a ballroom into a phenomenal gala. Prelude to this design program involved meticulous planning, creative vision, and attention to detail. Barry will share how he encompasses conceptualizing the overall design scheme, sourcing and coordinating various design elements, and ensuring a smooth flow of the installation of the event. Collaborating with a team of professionals, the program aims to create a captivating and immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on attendees. See the process in action and leave will a new understanding of event design!
Program 8 – Jaclyn Pline
Fascination: My Journey to a Flowerful Life
An enchanting program that takes you on a captivating journey of discovering the transformative power of flowers. Through vibrant visuals, inspiring stories, and practical tips, this program explores how cultivating a deep connection with nature can bring joy, beauty, and a renewed sense of purpose to our lives. Join us in exploring the wonders of flowers and unlock the secrets to living a more colorful and fulfilling life.
Lunch and Business Meeting
Breakout Session
Venue – Chelsea Hand, The Maxwell
Join Chelsea Hand, owner of The Maxwell, as she shares her journey of building an event venue from the ground up. Learn what venues look for in preferred partnerships and discover the steps to getting you on ‘the list.’ Identify and avoid common pitfalls in building a referral network, enhancing your connections and growing your business.
Program 9 – Christina Yan
Marketing and Social Media
Advanced Hands-On Workshop – Terry Godfrey, AIFD, EMC, CEJ
The Shape of Things to Come: A Fresh Take on Geometric Forms
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.
Cocktail Hour
Speechless 2024 Gala and Awards Ceremony
Please note that ALL convention competitions are for NCSFA members only.
Interested in Sponsoring the 2025 Convention?
For all sponsorship inquiries, please email the NCSFA President, Stephanie Garrett AIFD, presidentncsfa@gmail.com
