July 2016 | Volume 37, Issue 7
FNGLA’S MONTHLY PUBLICATION: DIGITAL MONTHLY ISSUE LOCATED AT HTTP://GREENLINE.FNGLA.ORG
FNGLA’s Annual Convention: Where People Power & Flower Power Met! FNGLA power was in full bloom at the 2016 FNGLA Annual Convention, combining people power, business power and, of course, flower power! Held June 16-18 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, the FNGLA Convention was attended by nearly 200 FNGLA members, family and friends from across the state. A diverse selection of FNGLA exclusive activities kept everyone smiling and busy, including one-of-a-kind horticulture tours; a behind-the-scenes look at SeaWorld’s horticulture facilities; recognition and celebration of FNGLA’s industry award winners; and the Association’s achievements captured in the Year-In-Review. A bonus feature of the convention was involvement by members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida throughout the event. New this year was a landscape service project at a local Central Florida Boys and Girls Club. As a pre-convention optional activity, 20 volunteers representing most of FNGLA’s chapters worked together planting trees and shrubs to enhance the landscape and add shade to the new playground. All of the plants and trees were donated by FNGLA members from our Frontrunners and Action Chapters, while lunch was provided by Sun-Fire Nurseries (Sarasota). FNGLA members shined with their generosity, hard work and eagerness to serve. FNGLA Convention registrants who attended the tour at Harry P. Leu Gardens received VIP treatment as garden director Robert Bowden and his horticulture staff gave an exclusive tour of one of Florida’s most impressive botanical gardens. As an extra-special treat, several FNGLA members enjoyed a delicious breakfast cooked and served by Robert in the garden’s beautiful Outdoor Kitchen Pavilion. FNGLA convention goers went backstage at SeaWorld as its horticulture team provided a private tour of the theme park’s horticulture facilities complete with production and supply areas. The SeaWorld horticulture facility serves as the Central Florida FNGLA Certified Landscape Exams site, so the tour included a walk through the exam stations with certification judges on hand to explain each station. Continued page 3