Laura Daluga, AIFD is a fourth-generation floral designer and Chicago transplant living and working in Detroit. She is an accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and a Certified Floral Designer. She is the creator of Detroit’s annual floral sculpture show, Art in the Elements. She is an Event Installation Specialist at fleurdetroit and Design Director for OASIS®. Laura is an avid competitor, ranking top of many competitions including the Bobbi Cup in 2014 and 2016, the FTD America’s Cup in 2018 and 2022 and the People’s Choice winner of the Designers America for the International Floral Expo in 2016. She has been published in AIFD’s recent American Floral Art as well as International Floral Art on multiple occasions

 Corrine Heck founded Details Flowers Software to help event florists manage and scale their businesses effortlessly. Over the past 20+ years, Corrine has had experience in just about every part of the industry — transitioning from event designer to software developer to CEO along the way. Corrine’s Details Flowers Software has grown from an idea hatched almost a decade ago into a robust solution with thousands of users spanning the globe, it is recognized as the official software and key procurement tool for the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium. 

After winning the Rollins College Sponsored Venture Pitch Grand Prize in 2016, Corrine used that momentum to continue her mission: helping event florists grow their bottom line with custom-designed automation software. From there, she hasn’t stopped improving Details. Every update and every feature rollout is thoughtfully designed and implemented by her in-house, completely U.S. based, female-led team. Details Flowers Software is headquartered in Ormond Beach, Florida, where Corrine lives with her husband of 22 years, and their three children. 

Derrick Myers is vice president of Crockett, Myers & Associates located in Glen Burnie, MD.  Crockett Myers & Associates provides business consulting, financial and tax advising, and business coaching to help florist owners understand and use their financial statements and information to make their businesses more profitable and thereby live a better and less stressful life.  Derrick joined the firm in 1983 and became partner in 1989.  Derrick is a Certified Public Accountant as well as Certified Financial Planner and is an FTD Advanced Master Florist Manager.

Steve Daum, Director of Superflor Technologies at FloraLife®, has worked in floral production and cut flower postharvest care & handling for over 37 years. Steve worked as a grower in Latin America and managed the Quality Control Department for Condor Farms. He received his B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Florida and M.B.A. in International Business Trade and Finance from St. Thomas University.  Steve has conducted many seminars on care & handling in both the United States and internationally.  Steve won the PMA Marketer of the Year for 2002.  Currently on the Floral PMA Board.

Steven Dyme is the Co-Founder & CEO of Flowers for Dreams, the first B Corporation florist in North America with locations across the Midwest region.  Every locally crafted bouquet they sell benefits a local charity in need. To date, that model has resulted in over $1,500,000 donated to 220 neighborhood nonprofits — all from the sale of flowers. Steven is considered a leading voice on social enterprise. In addition to being named a two-time Best for the World B Corp and Business Insider’s 20 Most Inspiring Companies in America, he has personally served on the Illinois Governor’s Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise, as an instructor on human-centered entrepreneurship at Northwestern University, as well as penning op-eds on ethical business in the Chicago Sun-Times, Crains, and others.

Paul Guerrie is the Chief Technology Officer at FlowerBuddy, a leading software platform helping florists streamline their operations and boost profitability. With over a decade of experience in artificial intelligence—most recently as AI Lead at Roboflow, a Google-backed computer vision startup—Paul specializes in turning complex AI concepts into tangible, results-driven solutions for businesses. 

Based near Boulder, Colorado, Paul brings a down-to-earth approach to technology, drawing on real-world challenges and opportunities in the floral industry. When he’s not building cutting-edge software, he spends time with his wife, young child, and two dogs, often exploring the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region. 

At the Society of American Florists NextGen Conference, Paul will share his insights on how to leverage AI in business operations, offering practical strategies and tips to help florists thrive in a rapidly evolving market.

Tony Guerrie is the CEO of FlowerBuddy, a software platform that helps florists work smarter, price with confidence, and grow their businesses without all the headaches. With over 10 years in tech and product development, Tony loves turning cutting-edge ideas into tools that actually make life easier. 

The inspiration for FlowerBuddy came from his wife, Megan, and her floral design studio, Flint and Pearl. Watching her juggle the chaos of running a floral business gave Tony plenty of ideas (and maybe a little less hair). Based in Lafayette, Colorado, Tony spends his downtime with his wife and two daughters, diving into creative projects in ceramics and music.

Mike Hines, co-founder and creative director of epoch, IS epoch.  With a reach far and wide from Chicago to across the globe, Mike has made his impact in the floral industry by defying the rules, creating styled and unique spaces and ensuring  complete client satisfaction by developing and installing possibilities beyond imagination.  During his 20 years of experience in the world of floristry and design, his passion for floral goes beyond the stem and often enters into a world of interior design as he is constantly changing the atmosphere of floristry to include that of the interior for which he works.  However, having fun and challenging his own imagination is what makes Mike a leading floral designer.  His rebel editing has fed his success to the highest of standards. “To just place a centerpiece on a table is just too easy….to create a space with the interpretation of what a finished interior of an event, lobby, home or party should be is what makes for a memorable, magical and timeless space for both you and your guests”.  Proudly knowing that no job is too big, Hines continues to challenge himself as well as his staff to be more than creative…to be memorable and timeless is the task at hand.  His approach starts with an attitude and vision and ends with a fleeting, yet unforgettable experience for both himself and his clients. 

Kimberlee Mitchell is the owner and operator of Botanica Floral in Atlanta, GA. A florist for more than twenty-five years, she has built her career primarily as a weekly florist specializing in high-end floral installations.

Botanica Floral creates weekly arrangements for prestigious hotels, including the St. Regis, The Four Seasons, The Thompson, The Ritz-Carlton, and The Mandarin Oriental. Botanica Floral also provides designs for corporate spaces and the Atlanta film industry.

Kimberlee’s floral work has been featured in numerous productions, including The Hunger Games, Father of the Bride, Ride Along 2, Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, First Kill, Reptile, Sweet Magnolias, and many more.

Deeply passionate about all things floral, Kimberlee enjoys competing in floral design competitions and teaching floristry. She is especially interested in flower mechanics and sustainable practices. Outside of floristry, she makes beaded gemstone jewelry and paints.

Kimberlee believes flowers are truly universal, connecting people across cultures and geographies — wherever you go in the world, you will always find a florist.

Kelsey Thompson, AIFD, CFD is a multi-passionate business owner, designer, coffee addict and customer experience strategist. Her retail shop, Bloom Floral + Home Studio is located in Algona Iowa and is a community staple. Kelsey is the President of her local Chamber of Commerce, and was recently awarded the Algona “Retailer of the Year” as well as the 2022 SAF Sylvia Cup   In addition to teaching hands-on courses and mentoring other florists, Kelsey runs  “Petals & Profits,” which is an online resource and content membership with a focus on helping floral shops with business and marketing. Her podcast “The Retail Florist” can be found on your favorite listening platform. Her true love is education, both as an educator and as a student who is constantly learning and growing.

Lenny Walker is vice president of operations for Kennicott Brothers Company in Chicago, Illinois. Walker has spent 42 years in the floral industry and has served on the Floral Management Committee for SAF. His expertise focuses on operations, of course, as well as improving employee culture, educational programs and communication. He has served with the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supply Association as a board member and as a member of the education and logistics committees. He was written articles discussing how wholesalers deliver value as well as their benefit to providing services to local businesses.