On Sunday, September 16, 2007, Dillon Floral presented its 33rd annual Open House/Design Show.
The theme was “Blooms from Bloomsburg”, highlighting Dillon-grown fresh cut flowers.
In attendance were over 200 professional retail florists from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.
Our feature designer for the all-day Design Show was Brad Harnisch, AIFD. Assisting Brad were Susan Miller, AIFD and Bill Murphy, AIFD.
Brad captivated the audience in three segments, highlighting Fall and Holiday design work. Retailers learned new techniques as Brad shared designs to inspire and motivate them for the upcoming months. His vignettes featured contemporary looks as well as traditional favorites, looks to satisfy every holiday taste.
Blooms from Bloomsburg produced in the Dillon greenhouses were on display; Alstroemeria, Gerbera Daisy and Oriental and Asiatic Lilies as well as Dillon Designed Dish Gardens. Customers voted on their favorite Lily trial varieties, helping Dillon Floral evaluate what to grow next year.
“Slaves-for-a-day” were chosen as customers stuffed ballot boxes of Dillon Team Members to work in their shops for a day to learn more about retailing.
Guests also voted on decorated dish gardens that customers embellished prior to the show, resulting in a “People’s Choice” prize given to Janet’s Floral Creations, Williamsport, PA.
Seven Dillon Floral vendor partners participated in a Trade Fair. The Fair included representatives from domestic and South American flower farms, international flower importers as well as domestic manufacturers. Florists took advantage of the opportunity to book their choices of varieties and packs on weekly standing order for the coming year.
A Dell computer system was given away in a drawing at the end of the day to Enterline’s Flowers and Greenhouse, Milton, PA who was among those shops who placed standing orders.
Guests toured the Dillon greenhouses and learned more about their new woodchip heating system. A silent auction of Brad’s designs was held during and after the design show.
Click here to view a gallery of photos from this event!
Next year’s Dillon Floral Open House Design Show/Trade Fair will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2008.
