The Endowment host its annual event during the SAF Annual Convention in Orlando , Florida , on Tuesday , September 6 , 2022 .
The afternoon was full of excitation as industry members and supporters joined together after a long three - twelvemonth gap in AFE ’s yearly in - soul upshot due to the pandemic . AFE Chairman Laura Shinall , Managing Partner of FreshPath Marketing , kicked off the event by receive everyone back and setting the tonus for celebrating AFE ’s supporters and accomplishments . “We’re frantic and grateful to see everyone again and observe the many successes of the past few days , ” take note Shinall , “ It ’s authoritative to portion out the impact being made throughout the manufacture thanks to the many generous industry donors . Through contributions to AFE , diligence members corroborate groundbreaking enquiry , educational opportunity , and programs empowering young professional joining the industry . ”
Updates were shared on AFE ’s core programs – research , educational Ulysses S. Grant , encyclopaedism , and internship . This included a special announcement of the newly launchedSustainability Project .
“ I started my term during COVID , but I could n’t be prouder of the employment that AFE Trustees and Staff have done to arise a solid strategic plan for the time to come and successfully continue fund for all of the Endowment ’s programs despite the pandemic ’s challenges , ” stated Shinall . AFE also announced new Officers and Trustees to the Board , abide by by the passing of the gavel from Chairman Laura Shinall to Ken Young , owner of Phoenix Flower Shops .
New AFE Trustees include Jackie Lacey of Floriology / BloomNet ; Tim Noble of Hortica , a brand of the Sentry Insurance Group ; Jeronimo Herrera of Jardines De Los Andes ; and Janet Kister of Sunlet Nursery .
Four outgoing Trustees were honored as they complete their term on the Board : Dwight Larimer of DESIGN MASTER colour tool – a Division of Smithers - Oasis ; Mike Mellano of Mellano & Company , Juan Carlos Uribe of G.R. Chia , and Randy Tagawa of Tagawa Greenhouses who completed his term in 2020 .
The session ended with a reception full of energy and a fun networking game with a luck to advance a free readjustment for SAF ’s 2023 Convention in Arizona . The secret plan encouraged attendees to meet each other and connect with AFE ’s supporters – welcoming entrant to begin conversations with longtime industry members . Announced on Thursday afternoon , Robbyn Repp of Petal to the Metal Flowers in North Bend , Oregon , won that free registration to attend the SAF convention next twelvemonth .
For more information : American Floral Endowment+1 ( 703 ) 838-5211www.endowment.org
