 At the beginning of June, the
Canadian Institute of Floral Design's Don Waltho made a return trip to
Dubai to deliver a presentation at the country's Seven Star Hotel Show.
Waltho spoke with Flowers by CONTEMPO president Stephen Eisenhart at his presentation 'Flowers are Free in the Luxury Hotel Market'. The two worked together last year when Eisenhart retauned the CIFD to provide a three-week professional training course for 38 of their 80 florists.
The Hotel Show presented Waltho the opportunity to discuss with the hotel industry the benefits of florist training. "More creativity, more variety, more properly arranged flowers gives florists greater self confidence and personal gratification in their jobs. The benefit to hoteliers is a 'sustainable', professional florist department. More professionalism always delivers reduced costs and increased benefits."
"Wowing the hotel guest with beautiful flower arrangements increases the likelihood that the guest will return. That is sustainable market share for hoteliers," Mr. Eisenhart added.
 In other CIFD news, Monica Schut, a member of the institute's educational faculty, has recently been recognized as the 2008 Artist of the Year by her peers in the Headwaters Region. The award is presented by the Headwaters Region Tourism Association and is given to an artist as excellence and also recognizes volunteer service to the thriving arts community just north of Toronto.
Schut has been a florist for over 30 years and has worked as an instructor for 10 years. She is also one of the founders of Ontario’s longest running studio tour, the current vice-president of Headwaters Arts and is a past board director of the Ontario Craft Council. Schut believes her experience in the floral industry has been the gateway to explore the creative process in other mediums and encourages her students to expand their understanding and appreciation for all art forms.
|
