Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, who won the Tommy Bright Award last year, is joined on stage by Dwight Larimer, AAF, PFCI, of SAF’s awards committee and Traci Dooley, AAF, of Hortica.
The floral industry is comprised of hard working, dedicated, innovative and passionate professionals — and they deserve to be recognized and celebrated.
The Society of American Florists is calling for nominations for several awards, which will be bestowed upon honorees during the Stars of the Industry awards dinner at SAF Phoenix 2023, SAF’s 138th annual convention in Scottsdale Sept. 6-9.
Nominations and applications are being accepted until May 1 for:
- The Gold Medal Award, which honors a professional who has originated or introduced a widely-distributed plant or flower.
- The Century Award, which honors companies with at least 100 years in the floral industry.
- Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education,which honors an individual who has made broad-scope, long-lasting contributions to research or education in the floriculture industry.
- Floriculture Hall of Fame, the industry’s highest honor, recognizes the highest standards of service and professional responsibility of members of the floral industry.
- John H. Walker Award, which honors floral association executives for the role they play as leaders in the industry.
- Paul Ecke, Jr. Award, which honors an individual with exemplary devotion to profession, industry, and community.
- The new Next Gen Rising Star Award, which honors forward-thinking young professionals who demonstrate creativity, innovation, tenacity and leadership in their work and the potential to make a positive impact on the floral industry (deadline is June 30).
- American Academy of Floriculture (AAF), which honors members who have committed time and energy to bettering both the floral industry and their local communities.
Inspiration in Bloom
Carol Caggiano, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, who serves as the chairperson of SAF’s Awards Committee, says the accolades are not just a celebration of the winners’ achievements, but also an inspiration for everyone in the industry attending the event.
“As the awards are being presented, you can’t help but become awestruck by all have accomplished,” she says. “It certainly gives you a boost, along with the encouragement to do your best and follow their example.”
Renato Cruz Sogueco, AAF, PFCI, was certainly awestruck when he won the Paul Ecke Jr. Award last year. In fact, he was in disbelief when he heard his name called during the ceremony.
“I didn’t really believe it until one of my tablemates said, ‘I believe they said your name, Renato,’” he recalls. “Still in disbelief, I looked up at the screen and said, ‘Yep, that’s me.’ It was on the walk up I felt this cascade of emotion and then thinking to myself, ‘What in the world did I do to deserve this?’”
As the former chief information officer at SAF and the current vice president of digital strategy and education at BloomNet, Sogueco’s contributions to the industry — which includes helping many floral professionals leverage technology to grow their businesses — clearly demonstrate what he did to deserve the award.
“The Paul Ecke Jr. Award represents to me a true balance of recognition from both a professional and personal perspective, as all I felt I’ve been doing these years was helping my friends succeed in their businesses,” Sogueco says.
Similarly, when public speaker and author Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, won the Tommy Bright Award last year, which honors professionals for their lifelong commitment to the floral business, she felt that it was not just for her, but for all the people in the industry she’s built connections with over many years. (The deadline for nominations for the award was March 1).
“Receiving the Tommy Bright Award was one of the highlights of my career. It represents my innate belief that a personal investment in others really does make a difference,” says McGukin. “I cherish the Tommy Bright as I do the memories of all the people I have been privileged to interact with through my years in floral education.”
Celebrate Your Peers
Do you know someone who deserves to be honored for what they do for the industry? Caggiano suggests submitting a nomination, so accomplished professionals can join the ranks of past floral movers and shakers who’ve been recognized.
“I encourage anyone in our industry that has been inspired by another to recommend them for the appropriate award,” she says. “There are so many hardworking and creative people that really do deserve recognition. By recognizing the achievements of others we reward a job well done, as well as inspiring and encouraging excellence in others.”
Click here for more information about SAF’s awards and nomination information.
Kenya McCullum is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
