Allied Associations
2019 GTFA Designer of the Year Results



The Greater Triangle Florist Association met at The Laurelbrook in Raleigh on June 25th. Attendees enjoyed a lovely meal, design program by 2018 GTFA DOY Joseph Barnes and our 2019 DOY competition. The competition was fierce and everyone did an amazing job. Our winner was Alicia Springfield NCCPF, 1st runner up Jacyln Gough CFD, and 2nd runner up Bill McPhail NCCPF. Attendees also benefited from a dicussion about judging from Jody McLeod AIFD, NCCPF, CFD.
The Laurelbrook and Catering Works were gracious hosts and the environment and food were excellent.
Here’s a few pics below that were grabbed at the workshop by cellphone.
The GTFA at this Years NC State Fair
Huge GTFA Participation at this Year's NC State Fair
Each year, the NC State Fair is our biggest fundraiser for the Greater Triangle Florist Association! There was a great turnout this year. There was only one slot that didn’t get filled. A lot of that was because of the help from our President, Danny Hinton and Theresa, the new manager at Cleveland Plant and Flower who offered to transport entries to and from the fairgrounds for those who had no transport. We owe them a great thanks. We also owe a great thanks to Pat Murray (Lifetime NCSFA member) for lining up all of our judges and making the entire process run smoothly. We also picked up some new members who participated at the fair. There were three shows with five categories and ribbons for places 1st thru 4th. Also, each competition had a “Best in Show” winner as well.
Author: Sarah Callahan, GTFA Secretary
Door Piece: The Seasons of NC
Create a door piece representing one of the four seasons. Pick any season you would like and make sure that season is showcased. Your entry will hang on a display door with your provided hanger.

Sympathy: Summer in NC
Create a memorial piece for an avid gardener who’s favorite time of year was summer using some of the things that would have been in their garden blooming at that time. No easels and the piece dimensions may not exceed 3×3 ft.

Surprise: Spring in North Carolina
Spring has Sprung! Create an arrangement fit for a spring Carolina afternoon tea party.

NC Products: Winter in North Carolina
Create a Winter centerpiece composed primarily of greenery and other natural items. Examples may include (but do not have to include) evergreens, magnolia, berries, pine cones, and you may also include dried materials. Must contain products that are native or grow in North Carolina.

Bridal: Fall in North Carolina
It’s fall wedding season in the South. Create something for a fall Carolina bride to carry down the aisle. Can be a bouquet, cascade, or other structure as long as it can be carried. Must be no longer or wider than 2 feet. Please provide a holder or sturdy vase with your name on the bottom for all entries.
First Show (Oct. 12th)
- 1st Place – Brandi’s Botanicals (BEST IN SHOW)
- 2nd Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 3rd Place – Southern Belle Florist
- 4th Place – John’s Flower Shop
- 1st Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
- 2nd Place – Bloomies on 42
- 3rd Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 4th Place – John’s Flower Shop
- 1st Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 2nd Place – Southern Belle Florist
- 3rd Place – Flower Gurl
- 4th Place – Bloomies on 42
- 1st Place – Venetian Gardens
- 2nd Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
- 3rd Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 4th Place – Watered Garden Florist
- 1st Place – Flower Gurl
- 2nd Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
- 3rd Place – Venetian Gardens
- 4th Place – No Show
Second Show (Oct. 16th)
- 1st Place – Cleveland Plant & Flower
- 2nd Place – Flower Gurl
- 3rd Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 4th Place – Knightdale Florist
- 1st Place – Jodi McLeod
- 2nd Place – Flower Gurl
- 3rd Place – North Raleigh Florist
- 4th Place – Falls Lake Florist
- 1st Place – Jodi McLeod (BEST IN SHOW)
- 2nd Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 3rd Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction
- 4th Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
- 1st Place – Purple Poppy Florist
- 2nd Place – Flower Gurl
- 3rd Place – John’s Flower Shop
- 4th Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
- 1st Place – Cleveland Plant & Flower
- 2nd Place – Falls Lake Florist
- 3rd Place – Great Blooms Florist
- 4th Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
Third Show (Oct. 19th)
- 1st Place – Floral Dimensions
- 2nd Place – North Raleigh Florist
- 3rd Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction
- 4th Place – Bloom Works
- 1st Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction (BEST IN SHOW)
- 2nd Place – Floral Dimensions
- 3rd Place – Great Blooms
- 4th Place – Flower Gurl
- 1st Place – Wake Forest Florist
- 2nd Place – Watkins Flowers of Distinction
- 3rd Place – Purple Poppy Florist
- 4th Place – Great Blooms
- 1st Place – Floral Dimensions
- 2nd Place – Purple Poppy Florist
- 3rd Place – Brandi’s Botanicals
- 4th Place – Flower Gurl
- 1st Place – Great Blooms
- 2nd Place – Purple Poppy Florist
- 3rd Place – Floral Dimensions
- 4th Place – Great Blooms
Fun Pics from the GTFA Wine Down
Wine Down with GTFA was a great success. Designers had the opportunity to play and choose to create paper flowers, textile inspired jewelry or a candle holder. The projects turned out amazing. Fun mixed with education makes for a great design outing. The little things that are picked up and learned always filter to the daily design routines and benefit us as well as our customers.
We had a new member this evening as well from Great Blooms in Raleigh. Mr. Ben Erwin, excited to meet you and welcome to the GTFA family.
What a great meeting of the GTFA. Thank you to Petal and Oak along with Triangle Catering for their gracious hospitality. Their space and containers are amazing. The people attending were gorgeous too.
Yes, we had a great time ! !






















