Members of the Shirley’s Flower Studio family are making strides in floral leadership, commanding attention from the industry and raising the bar on its standards. Notably, General Manager Tricia Upshaw, AIFD, CMF, AMF, is the 2025 President of the Arkansas Florist Association. She will be in attendance at the organization’s annual convention, and has a message for all of the florists who will attend the gathering later this month.

“As you know, our theme this year is ‘inspire.’ This convention is all about igniting that creative spark within each of us,” she explains in her Presidential Welcome. “Over the course of the weekend, we want you to leave feeling more inspired, more creative, and truly embracing the artist that you are in our vibrant industry.”

Upshaw hopes that the many floristry professionals who will be traveling to Little Rock will actively engage in the offerings at the conference, which promise to bolster professional development and facilitate collaboration.

“I encourage each of you to take full advantage of the workshops, demonstrations, and networking opportunities throughout,” she continues. “Engage with fellow florists, share your ideas, and absorb the wealth of knowledge that surrounds you. Let’s inspire one another!”

Learn more about the convention and all of the exciting details here.