Join us for Origin 2025: Passion, Purpose, and Partnership—a convention dedicated to exploring leadership, business, and design education. You’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose, confident in the pursuit of your passion and having developed new partnerships with fellow florists and industry leaders. NCSFA is committed to advancing your professional development in all these arenas.
Our programs and breakout sessions will cover essential topics such as leadership strategies, business practices, AI advancement and inspiring design education, ensuring you gain invaluable insights and a fresh perspective on your passion for floral design.
Registration:
Gala and Awards Only tickets start at $149.
Saturday Only tickets start at $179.
Sunday Only tickets start at $249.
Full Convention Weekend tickets start at $399.
Our Speakers:

Dr. Brianna Clark
Chair for the Department of Event and Hospitality Management at High Point University in High Point, NC

Jody McLeod, AIFD, NCCPF, CFD
Teleflora Educational Specialist, Mayor of Clayton, NC and Owner of Annie V’s Florist in Clayton, NC

Heather Miller, NCCPF
Owner & Creative Director at Eclectic Sage in Raleigh, NC

Abby Chick
Floral Designer, Educator and Owner of Blakemore’s Flowers in Harrisonburg, VA

EW Fulcher
Lead Designer and Manager of BloomWorks in Raleigh, NC

Amy Balsters
The Floral Coach ®
Floral Design Education and Training

John Hosek
Teleflora Educational Specialist
Surroundings Events and Floral
Accommodations:
Please mention NCSFA Membership status at reservation to receive room rate of $129/night.
Schedule:
Friday August 8, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 Origin to Installation Workshop Part 1: Creative Decor and Impactful Installations
Partner with Joseph Barnes AIFD and Jennifer Brewer NCCPF as they create impactful installations with cutting edge mechanics. Leave with a new sense of creativity and inspiration Lobby
Saturday August 9, 2025
9:30 – 11:00 NCCPF Hands on Testing Bull Durham AB
11:00 – 1:00 Designer of the Year Competition Crown
2:00 Sweetheart Table assembly to begin complete by 3:30 Sweetheart Table Chairperson: Caitlin Chappelle – Check in at Registration Desk for Location
3:00 Headdress Entries in place for judging Bull Durham B – Chairperson: Janet Blackard
3:00 Body Flower Entries in place for judging Bull Durham B – Chairperson: Caitlin Chappelle
3:00 Bouquets in place for Judging Bull Durham B – Chairperson: Clark Goodin
3:00 Boutonniere in place for Judging Bull Durham B – Chairperson: Caitlin Chappelle
Program 1:
3:30- 4:30: The Art of Leadership: Jody McLeod AIFD, NCCPF
Which One Are You? An inspiring, motivational and informative leadership program. Discover the four leadership styles, as presented through interpretive floral designs. Learn which leadership style is your very own. Recognizing different leadership styles is crucial for effectively building your floral teams. Each member plays a vital role and brings value to the group. So….. Which One are You?
Join us to discover more about yourself and those around you!
Empire ABC
Program 2:
4:30 – 5:30: Color Theory That Works! Elevate Your Work Through Building Better Color Palettes with Amy Balsters, The Floral Coach®
In this information-packed session, Amy will share the essential principles of color theory in an approachable, practical and meaningful way.
Discover her approach to building compelling color stories through her three “palette building pathways”. Elevate your floral designs by understanding the vital roles of saturation, contrast, proportion, and other key elements of color theory.
Whether you’re new to floral design or a seasoned pro looking to stretch your existing skills, this session will empower you to build intentional, high-impact color palettes that distinguish you from your competition.
Auditorium
6:30 Cocktail time Pre Function to Empire
7:00 Welcome Party/Dinner : Passion. Purpose and Partnership: Join us for an evening of inspiration, food and fun. Empire ABC
7:30 – 8:45 Floral Elegance on Display: A runway showcase of Headdress, Body Flower competition entries Empire ABC
Sunday August 10, 2025
8:00 – 8:45 Breakfast: Buffet Crystal Coast Sandhills
Program 3:
9:00 – 10:00 Moments in Bloom – EW Fulcher
Moments in Bloom: An unexpected journey through flowers, Decor and entertainment. Creating unexpected memories and moments. Learn how to elevate special occasions to the next level.
Empire ABC
10:15 Miniatures in place for judging Registration desk – Chairperson: Donnie Springfield
10:15 Jim Treadaway Briefing Pre Function Empire – Chairperson: Michael Whaley AIFD
10:30 – 12:30 Jim Treadaway Competition Pre Function Empire
Program 4:
10:40 – 11:40 Styled Environments: Artful Backdrops for Retail, Studio and Public Installation – Heather Miller NCCPF
Discover innovative techniques for creating impactful merchandising displays and dynamic backdrops using readily available flower shop materials like cardboard and packing supplies. Learn to see the potential in the ordinary.
Heather Miller, NCCPF is an award-winning designer and owner of Eclectic Sage, brings a unique perspective to displays and merchandising. Beyond her expertise in floristry, Heather holds a degree in interior architecture and has explored a vast array of crafts, including glass blowing, blacksmithing, woodworking, and weaving. Her designs are constantly inspired by a diverse range of artistic disciplines, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to the world of flowers.
Empire ABC
12:00 – 1:15 Business Meeting with Lunch
Business Meeting, Candidates Speak for Slate of Officers, Memorial – Empire ABC
Program 5:
1:45 – 2:45 Design Program : Rethinking Tradition: Infusing Fresh Technique into Classic Floral Design – John Hosek AIFD, CAFA, CF
Empire A,B,C
Program 6:
3:00 – 3:45 Breakout Session: Transforming Profitability: Selling value over cost, Branding, and Anchor Statements – Abby Chick
Transforming Profitability: Selling Value Over Cost, Branding, and “Anchor Statements” This session will innovate your sales approach, transforming your pitch from cost-centric to an emphasis on the unique value of the products and services you provide. Attendees will learn how to build “Anchor Statements” that effectively articulate your brand’s identity, create compelling narratives that resonate with customers, and express the value of your products, driving sales, increasing profit, and enhancing brand loyalty.
Auditorium
Program 7:
3:50 – 4:50 Breakout Session: Blooming with AI: Transforming the Modern Florist’s Workflow – Briana Clark, Vosco LLC
Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Claud and Copilot can revolutionize your floral business operations. This session explores practical applications of AI assistants in daily florist work. Learn how these accessible AI tools can handle routine tasks, allowing you to focus more time on your artistic creativity and customer relationships. Whether you’re a solo florist or managing a shop, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to integrate AI assistance into your workflow while maintaining the personal touch that makes your floral business special.
Auditorium
6:00 – 6:30 Past Presidents Reception – Bull Durham B
6:30 – 7:30 Cocktail Hour Pre Function: Vendor Showcase – Empire A-E
7:30 – 10:00 Gala Origin 2025: Passion, Purpose, Partnership
Awards, Installation of officers, NCCPF Pinning, Dinner
Empire A-E
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