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The Feature Designer for 2005 was Kevin Ylvisaker AIFD of KLY Floral International, Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Kevin presented a full day of fast paced on-stage design paired with practical floral and marketing wisdom. From Fall and Falloween to Christmas and "I Can't Sell That in My Shop", Kevin's designs showed fresh ways to use new products and save time and labor. He focused on making design choices to help professional florists find profits, and gave valuable tips for marketing to generation-y.

Design show assistants included Barney Barr of Michaleen's Florist & Garden Center, Ithaca, NY and Brenda Mitcheltree of Dillon Floral in Bloomsburg, PA.

During breaks from the design show, the highlight of the day was the trade show. Representatives from domestic manufacturers displayed new hardgood products in the Supply department. In the Fresh from the Farm area, growers from Colombia, Ecuador, California, Florida and Holland displayed fresh cut flowers. Teleflora, Mr. Ylvisaker's sponsor for the day was represented by Jeff Worth who spent time with florists demonstrating Teleflora's technology resources. The Pennsylvania Floral Industry Association was also in attendance with a booth of informational materials about the state organization and its benefits to florists. Dillon Grown fresh flowers and Dillon Designed Dish Gardens were also on display. Florists took advantage of the opportunity to book their choice of varieties and packaging on standing order for the 2005-2006 business year.

Drawings for door prizes were held throughout the day. One lucky florist won the grand prize: their entire day's purchases for free!

An auction of designs was held after the design show, with half of the proceeds being donated to the Red Cross, via the local Lehigh Valley Florists Association who is raising funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. A portion of the days designs were donated by Dillon Floral to the Columbia-Montour United Way for their fund-raising auction.

Next year's Dillon Floral Open House Design Show/Trade Fair will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2006.
Dillon Floral sends special thanks to our Vendor Partners who help to support our 2005 Design Show/Open House.

Bernecker's Nursery, Inc. Goulds, FL
Francis Biddle International, Inc. Encinitas, CA
Bio-Flora Farms Bogota, Colombia
Bradford Botanicals Zellwood, FL
Candle Artisans, Inc Washington, NJ
Carson & Gebel Ribbon Company Rockaway, NJ
Choice Farms Miami, Fl
Continental Farms Miami, Fl
Design Master Color Tool, Inc. Boulder, CO
Dole Fresh Flowers Miami, FL
Ecoroses Machachi, Ecuador
Esmeralda Miami, Fl
Everflora Cresskill, NJ
Fable Farms British Colombia, Canada
The Farm Direct Company Bogota, Colombia
Fern Hill Holly Farms Astoria, OR
Flora Craft Corporation Ludington,MI
Flores Aurora LTDA Bogota, Colombia
Flowertree Grand Island, FL
Fresca Farms Miami, Fl
Flores de la Campina Medellin, Colombia
Flores LaGioconda Bogota, Colombia
Gallup & Stribling Orchids Carpinteria, CA
Gardens America, Inc. Miami, FL
Greight Marketing Concepts Moylan, PA
The John Henry Company Lansing, MI
Hill's Imports, Inc. Quakertown, PA
JV Plant Works, Inc. Plymouth, FL
Kendall Farms Fallbrook, CA
Miramonte/Miraflor Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Misty Flowers Miami, FL
Knud Nielsen Company, Inc. Evergreen, AL
John Nuckton Enterprises Palo Alto, CA
Ocean View Flowers Lompoc, CA
Ontario Flower Growers Canada
Pennsylvania Floral Industry Association Harrisburg, PA
Petal Fresh Miami, FL
Premium Flowers Miami, FL
Priority One Flowers Scotts Valley, CA
Quitoflores Quito, Eucador
Smithers Oasis USA Kent, OH
Sole Farms Miami, FL
Stewart's Greenhouse, Inc. Mount Dora, FL
Syndicate Sales, Inc. Kokomo, IN
Teleflora Los Angeles, CA
Teucali Flowers LTDA Bogota, Colombia
Tran Trex Foliage Plymouth, FL
Uniflor Medellin, Colombia
W.H.Turner & Son Pierson, FL
Valleflor Quito, Eucador
V & T Orchids Miami, FL