The Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association’s annual convention was its centennial celebration.

Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association (WUMFA) members lit up the Radisson Hotel in Green Bay, Wis., at “Celebrating the Past. Fired Up for the Future.” their 2019 annual convention.

The centennial celebration, marking the 100th anniversary of WUMFA’s founding, featured business and design programs, a design contest and parties a plenty. Also on the agenda was a ceremony at the “Roaring ’20s Centennial Celebration” banquet honoring the winners of this year’s “Hall of Fame Awards” and the awarding of honorary lifetime memberships to six former WUMFA presidents.

  • The “Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Rita and Walter Rojahn, Rojahn & Malaney Company; Milwaukee, Wis.
  • “Wholesale/Tradesman of the Year” went to Kennicott Brothers Company; Milwaukee, Wis.
  • Alfa Flower Shop, in Wauwatosa, Wis., was named “Retailer of the Year.”
  • Judith Mohr, Fox Brothers Floral, Hartland, Wis., and Mark Cole, Karthauser & Sons, Germantown, Wis., received “Special Service Awards.”
  • The “National Service Award” went to Dan Natalizio, Teleflora, Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Fawn Mueller, Inspired by Nature, Wausau, Wis., was chosen “Young Person of the Year.”

The design contest is one of the most exciting events at any convention, especially when designers compete head to head on stage. This year’s “Professional Division” winner was Jennifer Breitbach from Snapdragon Flowers in Elm Grove, Wis. Instead of being judged, the contest entries were voted on by the convention attendees.

The education sessions covered myriad topics including event management, wedding work, successful business practices, employee training and innovative design tips. Attendees also had an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with the members of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. Discussion centered around how both industries could improve their services through cooperation and conversation about the new trends in sympathy work.

Convention attendees praised the work of the convention committee and volunteers, noting that it was a great celebration and a fitting beginning to the next 100 years of WUMFA.