Mike Soenen, Frank Stornelli,

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

the entire FTD staff, and our Canadian FTD FBC's are to be highly congratulated for their accomplishment during this year's Ontario Florists Conference 2004!!
Not "ONLY" did FTD "host" the event, FTD and it's crew hosted it FLAWLESSLY, without any noticeable hiccups and they ALL earned a high respect and thank you from everyone that attended!!
You know, one of our FTD FBC's is expecting any time now YET, STILL felt that she just had to attend to her duties as part of the FTD Team, as did at least ONE other florist couple whom are excitedly awaiting their FIRST BIRTH in a couple of months!!
Even Mr.Stornelli, and his beautiful Lisa, are about to be parents, yet, Frank spearheaded the "drive" to grow the OFC to new heights, spent a LOT OF TIME, away from home, and I TRULY HOPE that everyone can appreciate what HE, and FTD have done for this great event.
We can tell you from many years of experience, that event planning CAN BE some of the MOST painful AND MOST gratifying combined effort, and the current OFC board and team, has so many years of experience, that I've RUN OUT of fingers and toes on which to count.
The credibilty of such an event rests on the shoulders of it's ORGANIZERS...the KUDO's come AFTER the true test of time, and the location is what many attendees remember!!
It ALL fit together so well this year, that, it leaves only to the imagination, how great this event WILL BE......NEXT YEAR!!

 

[Paul]

I stopped going to these events more than 20 years ago because I found them a waste of time (maybe it was partly because the babies were arriving and I had better things to do...but just partly). When I joined A-1 Florists online about 2 years ago I was enticed out to a meeting just to meet my fellow members by the promise of a great buffet. Just by chance the FTD reps were there and we all had such a good time and I learned so much from everyone I thought maybe it was time to attend some meetings again.

So the OFC was my first official "comeback" meeting and I have to agree with Mike that FTD really did it right. First-class all the way from the food to the presentations. We met so many great new colleagues in this business including south-of-the-border florists and way-up-north ones. Even my 20-year-old daughter who only comes into the store when she absolutley HAS to, had a great time and wants to join us again next year. The Educatonal events were excellent and left me with a lot of challenges to meet. Thanks to everyone who made this opportunity possible.