February 27–March 1, 2026, the Great Lakes Floral & Event Expo took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This year, Corrine, Avery, and Myranda attended to connect with florists across the region and take in the weekend’s education and events.
One of the best parts of GLFEE is always the community. We were able to reconnect with many of our Michigan floral friends, talk shop, and meet new florists throughout the weekend.
We spent our time navigating the floor of one of the region’s largest floral expos. The space was a vibrant mix of longtime vendor partners and new exhibitors, all showcasing the latest in fresh product, hard goods, and innovative services.
Beyond exploring new products, the trade show gave us the opportunity to have honest conversations with shop owners about what’s working, what challenges they’re facing, and how they’re planning for 2026. Those real-world discussions are always one of the most valuable parts of attending.
The Main Stage lineup covered both design and business strategy.
Hitomi Gilliam’s presentation on Art Nouveau influence in bridal styling focused on curvilinear line and designing with intention. She demonstrated how strong placement and structure can create impact while controlling product costs.
Kelsey Thompson shared strategies for building a profitable sympathy portfolio. Her session outlined repeatable design foundations, pricing structure, and systems that help protect margins while maintaining quality.
Jacob McCall reimagined holiday design with updated color palettes and modern textures. His presentation encouraged florists to refresh traditional seasonal offerings while keeping customer expectations in mind.
Amber Kirkland presented large-scale floral installations designed for museums, runways, and immersive spaces. She walked through the mechanics and structure required to execute high-impact statement pieces.
On Sunday, Amy Balsters presented Build Better Bouquets™, breaking down essential bouquet techniques and core design principles. Her session focused on efficiency, structure, and creating consistent results in everyday bouquet work.
Corrine presented The Hidden ROI: Culture That Outlasts the Chaos, a business session centered on leadership, communication, and internal systems.
Her message focused on how team culture directly impacts profitability, workflow efficiency, and client experience. Rather than emphasizing marketing tactics, she addressed operational clarity and building structure within fast-paced creative businesses.
The discussion resonated with florists looking to strengthen their internal processes after a demanding holiday season.
Saturday evening’s Bloom Beyond Boundaries Recognition & Awards Banquet celebrated Certified Florists and industry award recipients. The program also featured a State of the Industry address from Kate Penn, highlighting current challenges and key trends shaping the industry as we look toward 2026. Vanessa Leite of That Flower Feeling also shared exciting updates on the impact of this year’s Just Add Flowers campaign and the continued efforts to promote flowers to consumers.
GLFEE 2026 provided valuable insight, practical education, and strong industry connection. We appreciate the opportunity to spend the weekend with so many dedicated floral professionals and look forward to continuing those conversations throughout the year.
Make sure to follow along on their website and social media for updates on next year's event!