Skip to content

Texas Floral Expo in San Marcos Sessions

Back to Event
Register
Susan Piland AIFD, CFD, TMF

Transitioning Styles for Today's Bride

Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Susan Piland - AIFD, CFD, TMF
    Susan Piland AIFD, CFD, TMF is a studio florist and freelance designer who began her floral career as a horticulture student at Skyline Career Development Center in Dallas. She earned her Texas Master Florist designation in 1986 and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2023. Susan has been an active member of the Texas State Florists' Association for 40 years, serving as President from 2023-2024. She is currently a co-chair on TSFA's Education Committee and an instructor at the TSFA School of Floral Design.
Summary
TAKE ROOT with Susan Piland AIFD, CFD, TMF! Learn essential steps to transition a classic round hand-tied bouquet into an elegant cascading teardrop. The class is created for aspiring wedding designers and those hoping to discover a new method to create an ever-so-popular style. Join us and be guided through the mechanics and floral placements to create the graceful, well-balanced bouquet today’s bride is requesting. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $95. • Nonmembers: $125. Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.

Nonmember Rate — Transitioning Styles for Today's Bride

Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Brandy Ferrer AIFD, CFD, TMF

Mechanical Makeover: Reimagining Time-Tested Products

Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Brandy Ferrer - AIFD, CFD, TMF
    Brandy Ferrer AIFD, CFD, TMF is the owner of Simply Beautiful Floral Company in Gilmer, Texas. She was named the 2024 Texas Designer of the Year, 2023 Frankie Shelton Cup Winner and 2nd Place Winner of the 2024 Mid-America Cup. Brandy is a valued member of the Texas State Florists' Association, serving as Retail Director and frequently contributing to TEXAS in Bloom, sharing industry insights and creative inspiration. She is also on the AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees and is an AIFD South Central Chapter Board Member.
Summary
GROW with Brandy Ferrer AIFD, CFD, TMF! Smithers-Oasis® products are staples in nearly every flower shop — but what if a product could do more than its intended purpose? In this interactive, hands-on workshop, discover innovative ways to reimagine five familiar Smithers-Oasis mechanics for entirely new design applications. Participants will explore creative, modern techniques that expand the versatility of everyday products, helping maximize both design potential and inventory value. You will choose a product to experiment with and create a finished design that showcases one of its unexpected new uses — leaving with practical ideas to diversify offerings and get more from the products already on your shelves. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $95. • Nonmembers: $125. Underwritten by Smithers-Oasis.

Nonmember Rate — Mechanical Makeover: Reimagining Time-Tested Products

Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Judy Janzen AIFD, CFD

Let's Change the Tropic

Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Judy Janzen - AIFD, CFD
    Judy Janzen AIFD, CFD grew up in her parents’ flower shop in Fresno, California and has continued in the floral industry, enjoying exploring stories with innovative structures and intentional use of space. She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2024, was a California Top 10 Winner in 2024 and won the Sylvia Cup in 2025. Recently, Judy discovered no fear of heights while working on floats for the Rose Parade and was a daring and inventive AIFD main stage presenter during the 2025 AIFD Symposium in Palm Springs. She is also looking forward to working on a team this year at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Summary
BLOSSOM with Judy Janzen AIFD, CFD! Learn how to evoke a tropical aesthetic with innovative techniques. You will design a striking arrangement employing a reusable structure with concealed mechanics and discover how to sell space effectively with exquisite minimalism. Elevate your floral artistry and develop skills to create show-stopping creations for premium clients. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $125. • Nonmembers: $175. Underwritten by Accent Decor.

Nonmember Rate — Let's Change the Tropic

Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Cheryl Vaughan CFD, PFCI, TMFA

Wedding Florals in Motion

Saturday, June 20 — 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Cheryl Vaughan - CFD, PFCI, TMFA
    Cheryl Vaughan CFD, PFCI, TMFA has been the owner of Creative Petal Designs since 1997 and is lead designer at Blumen Meisters in New Braunfels. She has recently been featured on The Knot Best of Wedding Design and on WETV, highlighting a Georgetown wedding. Cheryl is a dedicated member of the Texas State Florists' Association, having served as President and Texas Floral Expo Chair on multiple occasions. She is currently a TSFA Education Committee Co-Chair, TSFA School of Floral Design instructor and an editor for the upcoming Texas Master Florist curriculum.
Summary
TAKE ROOT with Cheryl Vaughan CFD, PFCI, TMFA! Today’s bride is increasingly interested in repurposing. Beyond budgetary constraints, there is a desire for sustainability and resource conservation. In this workshop, you will reimagine ceremony florals, purposefully designed to transition seamlessly into the reception space. Discover ways to bring designs forward for a deeper appreciation of each bloom. By strategically repositioning placements, you can maximize floral budgets while elevating the guest experience. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $95. • Nonmembers: $125. Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.

Nonmember Rate — Wedding Florals in Motion

Saturday, June 20 — 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Fabian Salcedo

The Art of the String Garden

Saturday, June 20 — 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Fabian Salcedo
    Fabian Salcedo's love of all things floral began in 2005 at a well-known Austin floral shop, washing buckets. Now, he is Creative Director of Monarch Florals, translating his vision into innovative designs one event at a time. He received his industry education from the Floral Design Institute and is a University of Texas graduate. An artist first, Fabian draws on flowers as his medium and thrives on the creative process. Learning, sharing and teaching bring him joy.
Summary
GROW with Fabian Salcedo! String gardening, or Kokedama, is a sustainable Japanese art that involves wrapping a plant’s root ball in moss and binding it with string or twine. In this workshop, you will discover how to create living sculptures that can be hung or displayed outside a traditional container. Learn the basic mechanics of construction and how to grow the concept into more unique and artful creations. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $95. • Nonmembers: $125. Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.

Nonmember Rate — The Art of the String Garden

Saturday, June 20 — 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Alan Masters AIFD, CFD, PFCI

Wired and Inspired: Expanding Sympathy Designs Into a Third Dimension

Saturday, June 20 — 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Alan Masters - AIFD, CFD, PFCI
    Alan Masters AIFD, CFD, PFCI began his floral design career 41 years ago in Lufkin, Texas, at Villa Green Florist. He has managed numerous shops, owned a shop and is currently the owner of Magnolia and Pine Floral and Events. He has a long list of accolades, including 2014 Houston Designer of the Year, 2016 Texas Designer of the Year, 2016 Jim Johnson Cup Winner, 2016 Louisiana Designer of the Year and 2025 Texas All-Star Competition Champion. Alan was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2015. He is an Allied Florists of Houston Past President, AIFD South Central Regional Chapter Past President and currently serves as TSFA Membership Committee Chair.
Summary
BLOSSOM with Alan Masters AIFD, CFD, PFCI! Distinguish your end-of-life tributes from those of competitors by incorporating an innovative use of space. In this workshop, you will learn a new approach to creating sympathy sprays with the addition of decorative wire. Gain a fresh perspective that will inspire new design possibilities. Employ depth to create a more appealing three-dimensional look that will gain the attention of viewers, as well as the praise of your customers. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $125. • Nonmembers: $175. Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.

Nonmember Rate — Wired and Inspired: Expanding Sympathy Designs Into a Third Dimension

Saturday, June 20 — 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Ellie Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC

The Sculpted Stem: A Master Class Where Floral Design Meets Wearable Art

Sunday, June 21, 8-10 a.m.

Speakers
  • Ellie Grande - AIFD, CFD, EMC
    Ellie Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC has been the owner of GranDesign Studio in Tomball for more than a decade and is a floral educator and instructor, specializing in European-styled workshops. She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2020 and earned her European Master Certification in 2022. She was a Philadelphia Flower Show Master Designer from 2014-2023, First Place winner of the Latin American Cup at the AIFD Latin American Society in 2025, First Place winner of Bridal Bouquet at the Florida State Florists’ Association in 2023, First Place winner of Found and Forge at the Northern AIFD Chapter in 2025 and an International Floral Demonstrator at the Singapore Garden Festival in 2024. She has been published in TEXAS in Bloom, AIFD Focal Points and the AIFD Foundation Just Make It Pretty flip book. Ellie has been a member of the AIFD South Central Chapter Board of Directors since 2023 and served on the AIFD South Central Chapter Social Media Committee from 2020-2024.
Summary
BLOOM with Ellie Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC! This immersive workshop is designed to bridge the gap between traditional floral design and the sophisticated realm of wearable art. Developed for creative designers who love both nature and adornments, this innovative workshop explores ways to manipulate structural wire, utilize botanical materials and incorporate unique findings as you craft high-fashion, nature-inspired jewelry. Gain hands-on experience with a variety of new techniques while designing a one-of-a-kind floral wearable. Whether you are a florist looking to expand your portfolio or a jewelry maker wanting to explore organic textures, this session will transform how you see, shape and wear flowers. By the end of the workshop, you will walk away with a custom-crafted adornment — be it a floral necklace, floral cuff or botanical statement — that captures the ephemeral beauty of the garden in a permanent, artistic form. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $195. • Nonmembers: $245. Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.

Nonmember Rate — The Sculpted Stem: A Master Class Where Floral Design Meets Wearable Art

Sunday, June 21, 8-10 a.m.

Tricia Won AIFD, CFD, EMC, IMF, TMF

Rooted Elegance: A Master Class in Woven European Floristry

Sunday, June 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Speakers
  • Tricia Won - AIFD, CFD, EMC, IMF, TMF
    Tricia Won AIFD, CFD, EMC, IMF, TMF is a floral studio owner in Round Rock and is a floral educator and instructor, specializing in European-Styled workshops. She has her Bachelor of Science in Advertising. She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2020, received her European Master Certification in 2021, her International Master Florist Certification in 2023 and her Texas Master Florist in 2026. Tricia won the 2024 Best of Blooms Florist Review Competition and has designed internationally, including being an International Floral Demonstrator at Singapore Garden Festival in 2024, designing large-scale installations for Hoogstraten in Belgium in 2025 and 2026 and being team leader and head designer for large-scale street installations for Leverano in Fiore, Leverano, Italy in 2025 and 2026. She has been published in Florist Review, TEXAS in Bloom and AIFD Focal Points. In 2025, Tricia chaired the AIFD Blooms Over Palm Springs and currently serves as the Secretary of the AIFD South Central Chapter and as the Retail Director on the TSFA Board of Directors.
Summary
BLOOM with Tricia Won AIFD, CFD, EMC, IMF, TMF! Discover the art of structural floral design by blending Old World European techniques with the rugged beauty of the Texas landscape. In this hands-on master class, you will learn to hand-weave a custom armature using native Texas grasses, creating a sustainable, sculptural foundation for a breathtaking seasonal bouquet. Whether you are a seasoned designer or a curious creative, you’ll walk away with a newfound appreciation for local materials and the skills to craft elegant, “rooted” arrangements that tell a story of time and place. Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee. • TSFA Members: $195. • Nonmembers: $245. Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.

Nonmember Rate — Rooted Elegance: A Master Class in Woven European Floristry

Sunday, June 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Powered By GrowthZone
Scroll To Top