PresidentMessage

President's Message

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Fall/Winter 2012

Your Executive Committee and the General Board for CFAA recently held its Summer Planning Meeting to firm up plans for the 2013 Seminar. Last year we had over 200 persons attend Seminar 2012, this year we expect even more. In addition, we are pleased that our membership is growing. Everyone is spreading the word that CFAA is a fabulous, fun, and creative organization.

There is an increase in the registration fee for Seminar 2013 because our costs for food at the hotel, costs for flowers, and costs for everything else have gone up. Also we have had to establish a "no refunds after Feb. 2, 2013" policy because we have to guarantee your meals at the hotel; CFAA pays even if you cancel or do not show up.

Now the great news! Jean Moran has assembled an exciting array of pure talent for this next seminar. Atelier, a group of creative designers under the leadership of Bobbi Heenan, will present the Friday night program after we have all enjoyed a plated dinner with open seating.

On Saturday, you will be busy with a buffet breakfast, the program "Rocks in my Head" with Sandra Walters, and a light lunch. Then Claudia Chopp and I will team up to demonstrate ideas that we gleaned from our fabulous trip to the 2012 WAFA Seminar in Ireland. For the "piece de resistance" we are thrilled to present Marie-Francoise DePrez from Bourge-en-Bresse, France, as our headline speaker. Because of her popularity, we are anticipating a full house. For more information about this outstanding designer, go to the CFAA website and click on "Hot News."

CFAA is offering two workshops on Friday with Marie-Francoise Deprez. Each one will be different and will incorporate techniques from her new book, Florale Fantaisie. With a limit of 40 people in each workshop, we encourage you to sign up immediately so that you will not be disappointed. Two extra workshops will be offered, one by the ever-popular Janice Hamlin, and one by the most-creative Pauline Flynn. As "hands on" workshops, their enrollment is limited.

On Sunday, we will have Deirdre Gross on the stage after our buffet breakfast. Her Kaleidoscope designs over the last few years have been outstanding. And after a lovely lunch, Marge McGoff will delight us with "Designing Out of Africa." Marge received the Best in Show Award for her design at the 2012 National Garden Clubs, Inc. Flower Show in Buffalo. As you can see, CFAA 2013 will have great programs, wonderful workshops, brilliant Kaleidoscope designs, and vendors with new materials. The only thing missing is YOU.

This is my last President's Message. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me on the Executive Committee and those on the General Board. We have accomplished a lot in two years and we did it together. You are all a very hard-working, dedicated, volunteer group. I want to thank YOU, the members of Creative Floral Arrangers of the Americas, for allowing me to serve as your President. It has been a privilege to serve you, and I am looking forward to seeing you in 2013.

With lots of love, and good wishes,

Penny