South Dakota Florists Association
2025 Convention
February 28th - March 2nd
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Follow Us on Facebook
South Dakota Florists Association Public Site
#sdfa2025
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Follow Us on Instagram
sdfloristsassociation
#sdfa2025
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Convention & Membership Registration
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Convention Itinerary
Friday February 28th
5:30 p.m.-8:30 Vendor Fair, Cash Bar, Hors D’oeuvres​
Saturday March 1st
9:00 a.m. Design Show “Wild Western Bliss”
with Shamay Andrich AIFD
12:30-1:15 Lunch sponsored by SDFA
2:30-3:30 Hands-On Workshop “The Chicken and the Egg”
with Denise Gehrke, AIFD, PFCI
4:30-5:30 Hands-On Class with Shamay Andrich, AIFD
5:30-6:30 Centerpiece Competition Wild Wild West Theme
6:30 Supper and SDFA Yearly Meeting
7:30-? DJ, Dancing, and Costume Contest
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Sunday March 2nd
​9:00 a.m. Stage Presentation 2025 “Cycle of Change”
with Denise Gehrke, AIFD, PFCI
10:30-12:30 Design Competition
Registration/ Check-in at registration desk
12:30-2:30 Lunch, Shopping, & Auction
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Vendor Registration & Vendor Letter
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Convention Hotel
Ramkota Hotel | 605-224-6877
Mention SDFA for room rates
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Convention Sponsors
Thank you to our convention sponsors for your contributions to SDFA!
We appreciate you!
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North American Wholesale Florist, Inc.
Koehler & Dramm Wholesale Florist
Len Busch Roses
Reliant Ribbon​​
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Design Competitions
Must be current SDFA member/employee to enter design competitions.
Judging will be during Pasque design competition Sunday morning.
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Please include a printed sign/notecard with your design including the following information: Design Level, Your Design's Name, Designer's Name, Business Name & Cell Phone Number.
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Level 1: Under 2 years floral experience.
Create a design with theme: "The Wild West"
Wholesale cost under $50 | Must include detailed cost sheet including props
Size no more than 2.5’ x 2.5’ x 2.5’
Register design at 9am Saturday, March 1st at registration desk
Cash prize of $100 for first place
Level 2: 2-5 years floral experience
Create a design with theme: "The Wild West"
Wholesale cost under $100 | Must include detailed cost sheet including props
Size no more than 3’ x 3’ x 3’
Register design at 9am Saturday, March 1st at registration desk
Cash prize of $100 for first place
Pasque Design Competition: 5+ years floral experience
Test your design knowledge and skills by entering
our exciting Pasque Design Competition!
Create a design with theme: "The Wild West"
Wholesale cost under $150 | Must include detailed cost sheet including props
Size no more than 4' x 4' x 4'
Register design at 9am Saturday, March 1st at registration desk
Design-off between the top 3 individuals will be Sunday, March 2nd at 9:30am
Winner will be 2025 Designer of the Year!
Cash prize of $100 for first place.
Doug Hesnard Design Competition | Excellence in Design
Designer must have been a past Pasque design-off contestant or have higher education certification (AIFD, PFCI, etc) to enter Doug Hesnard Design competition.
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Showcasing experienced designers using advanced design and techniques and principles and elements.
Create a design/collection featuring theme: "The Wild West"
No restriction on size, materials or cost! Be creative!
Must present design to judges, between 3-5 minutes | Including principles and elements of design, color and design style
Register design at 9am Saturday, March 1st at registration desk
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Additional Contests
Centerpiece Contest
Create a design with the theme: "The Wild West"
Wholesale cost under $60 | Must include name & detailed cost sheet including props
Size no more than 11" in diameter and 9" tall*
*Can be taller IF you can see your table mates under the flowers
Must be placed NO later than 6p
1st place $100, 2nd place $50, 3rd place $25
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Costume Contest
Saturday March 1st during meeting/dinner
1st place $100, 2nd place $50, 3rd place $25
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Stage & Hands On Designers
Denise Gehrke, AIFD, PFCI
For many years, Denise has been the director of floral at Waukesha floral & Greenhouse, in her home state of Wisconsin. She is a hands-on, well-rounded, down to earth designer. She is designing every day, and has a true passion for the floral industry. In 2007 she was inducted into AIFD, and in 2015 inducted into PFCI. Her floral career has taken her to live and work in Austin, TX and Las Vegas, NV. In 2007, Denise went to Pasadena, and worked on floats for the Tournament of Roses parade. Having worked as a lead floral designer for one of the largest event companies in Las Vegas she has gained a ton of event production/ design knowledge. Over the years, she has taught numerous hands on workshops and design programs. She is a past winner of the Houston Cup, and first runner up in the prestigious Texas cup. In 2019, Denise presented “Forever Remembered” on the main stage at AIFD National Symposium. Denise strives to be a source of inspiration for fellow designers, and truly enjoys sharing her extensive floral knowledge.
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Shamay Andrich, AIFD
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A Blossoming Journey into Floral Design
Meet Shamay Andrich, a globe-trotting freelance travel floral designer who crafts stunning arrangements for luxury events, working with high-profile clients and Fortune 500 companies worldwide. From meticulous planning to hands-on execution, she ensures each event is a unique masterpiece, adding elegance and flair to million-dollar weddings and high-stakes corporate launches. Shamay's artistic genius shines in her intricate designs, featuring show-stopping elements like flower walls and chandeliers. Her engineering skills ensure these designs are sturdy and practical, while her networking prowess opens doors to top-tier collaborations. Career highlights include teaming up with trendsetter Preston Bailey, being a certified member of the American Institute of Floral Design, designing the Donate Life float for the Rose Parade, and being featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Seattle Bridal Magazine. Shamay also was brought down to help launch the new Sandals Resort, St Vincent, party and has created floral magic for Verizon, Microsoft, and the Seattle Seahawks. When not designing, she loves travel, family adventures, and sharing her floral passion through workshops and mentoring. Shamay is dedicated to teaching the next generation of floral designers, blending creativity with technical expertise, and continually pushing the boundaries of floral artistry. Her journey from arranging bouquets at dinner parties to becoming a sought-after designer for luxury events is a testament to her creativity, dedication, and profound love for flowers
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Questions?
Contact: Kathy Jones
307-660-6573 | info@sdflorists.org
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