SAF Winners From Their Convention

Chris Beytes

The Society of American Florists’ (SAF) 139th annual convention in Miami August 6-9 brought together more than 500 floral professionals to learn and to celebrate. At their annual Stars of the Industry Awards Experience, SAF honored some folks “who have made an indelible mark on the industry.” Perhaps you recognize some names:

■ SAF President’s Award Winner: Ian Prosser

■ Alex Laurie Award Winner: Dr. Paul R. Fisher

■ Tommy Bright Award Winner: Leanne Kesler

■ Paul Ecke, Jr. Award Winner: Tim Farrell

■ Next Gen Rising Star Award Winner: Jenny Thomasson

■ Floriculture Hall of Fame Inductee (posthumously): Paul Leonard Daum

■ Sylvia Cup Competition Winner: Jackie Lacey

■ Marketer of the Year Award Winner: Tiger Lily Florist

Dr. Fisher of the University of Florida was awarded the Alex Laurie Award, which celebrates individuals who have made broad-scope, long-lasting contributions to floriculture research and education, and he’s certainly done that over his 30-year career. He’s helped establish various projects for floriculture research, including the Floriculture Research Alliance and CleanWater3 (reduce, remediate, recycle). And he’s authored zillions of papers and articles that help growers around the world do a better job.

The late Paul Daum, long-time Gloeckner sales rep who passed away in 2020 at the age of 95, was known as “the father of the South American Flower Industry” for his work with the U.S. Agency for International Development, which identified that carnations would flourish in the Colombian Andes. GT