american flowers week ~ June 28 to July 4 ~ Celebrating American Grown Flowers in all 50 States

Here’s the gorgeous arrangement Andrea used to promote her workshop on Instagram.

When she sees an opportunity, Andrea K. Grist grabs it. This Kansas City, Missouri area owner of Andrea K. Grist Floral Design specializes in weddings and events, and she’s a passionate member of Slowflowers.com.

Andrea is seen here in her element, when we lectured together at St. Louis Art Museum (c) Tiffany Buckley

Knowing that American Flowers Week is set for June 28th to July 4th, Andrea got super creative to plan a media appearance and a workshop to promote Kansas- and Missouri-grown flowers. We’re so impressed with this idea, we wanted to share it with you!

First, the workshop. Andrea partnered with The Bloom Academy, a floral design school owned by Emily Walters of Emmy-Rae Design Studio. “She asked me to be a guest designer for some of her workshops and I pitched an idea about doing one for American Flowers Week,” says Andrea. Emily was intrigued and checked out our website here, as well as other online resources about American Flowers Week — and soon, the idea took hold.

According to Andrea, her design students will learn all the basics of floral preparation and care; vase arranging and other tips, tricks and tools from a professional florist. “But we’re adding the twist of using all-American grown product, which will be sourced locally from three flower farms in my area,” she says.

Education and outreach are part of the agenda, as Andrea plans on giving the students a primer on the Slow Flowers Movement before they start designing. Signage will highlight flowers from each local farm and Andrea envisions cross-promotion opportunities with area farmers’ markets to attract students.

The Bloom Academy is already promoting the workshop on its web site.

The two-hour evening workshop takes place on June 28th, which is our kickoff day for American Flowers Week. Students of the “American Flowers Week Workshop” will enjoy yummy appetizers and Missouri wine! Click here to see more details.

If that’s not enough good news, Andrea contacted a producer for “KC Live,” a local morning show and NBC Affiliate in the Kansas City media market, and pitched a segment about designing with local flowers. She’s scheduled to appear on set the day before her workshop on June 27th. “This gives us the possibility of selling out if we have extra seats available,” she explains. That’s brilliant!

“I love it when things come together to give me an ability to cross promote with others in our community,” Andrea says. “It’s a happy coincidence.”

Certainly her advance planning adds up to a win-win for everyone, especially for #americanflowersweek! Thank you for sharing your example, Andrea!