Society of American Florists accepting entries for 2025 Marketer of the Year Contest

The Society of American Florists is now accepting submissions for its 31st Annual Marketer of the Year Contest, recognizing innovative and effective marketing campaigns that have helped floral businesses grow.

SAF members across the industry — including retailers, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers and growers — are invited to apply. The deadline to enter is May 31, 2025.

“The Marketer of the Year contest isn’t just about flashy visuals — it’s about strategy, execution and measurable success,” said Melanie Spilbeler, marketing director of Choice Farms and a 2024 contest judge. “Strong campaigns start with a deep understanding of the target audience, clearly defined strategic goals and data-driven results that demonstrate real impact — whether it’s increased revenue, higher engagement or customer growth.

Previous winners have included:

Tiger Lily Florist (Charleston, South Carolina): Harnessed the charm of historic Charleston to create a digital marketing strategy rooted in community.

California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers (CalFlowers): Created the “Flowers. Self-care made easy.” campaign to support industry-wide marketing.

Jet Fresh Flower Distributors (Miami, Florida): Used an employee-first marketing approach to elevate brand visibility and engagement.

J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom: Encouraged consumers to buy flowers more often through a widely viewed public television show.

The winner receives a $5,000 cash prize, sponsored by Design Master, a division of Smithers-Oasis; free registration to SAF’s Annual Convention; a cover story in the September/October 2025 issue of Floral Management magazine highlighting their marketing achievement; and recognition during the SAF Annual Convention, where they will be honored in front of industry leaders.

The contest is open to all businesses who have been in operation for at least two years and are in good standing with vendors. SAF member businesses, including retailers, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers and growers, can enter.

Any successful marketing campaign from the last five years is eligible. Entries are evaluated by a panel of floral industry professionals and at least one non-industry marketing expert, who judge campaigns based on originality and success.

For full contest details and submission instructions, click here. For questions, contact Amanda Jedlinsky at ajedlinsky@safnow.org.