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Expo Designer Bios 

We are excited to introduce you to this years presenters! 

Tom Bowling AIFD | PFCI

Tom Bowling AIFD, PFCI,  is now in his 40th year in the floral industry. He owned his retail flower shop for 20 years, worked in the floral wholesale business, is a consultant for some of the major growers and now works as a freelance designer. Tom holds his Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a Masters of Education from Miami University of Ohio.
Tom is a past president and member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). He is also a member of Professional Floral Communicators International(PFCI), the Society of American Florists(SAF) and numerous State and allied associations. Tom is the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Tommy Bright award for outstanding commentating.
Tom has been a featured main stage presenter twice for AIFD's National Symposium. His floral career also includes working as an assistant for director for the Academy Awards for 15 years and 20 years for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade. Tom was one of the three judges for The Tournament of Roses Parade in 2016.
He has designed and commentated at numerous local, regional, and national floral events, having designed for presidential inaugurations as well as many Society events around the country. He is a member of Teleflora's acclaimed Education Specialist Team and serves as a coordinator for the Teleflora Design Academy.

 

Gary Guerin, AzMF

Gary is a one-of-a-kind creator that has carved out a niche in the world of making the impossible possible. For two decades, his edgy, resourceful approach has resulted in creative collaborations with some of the most recognizable brands in the world.
Gary is the Creative Director and Owner of STEM SWAG Gifting Co. During the company's 5 years, STEM SWAG has designed for powerhouse brands such as Playboy, the NFL, Zillow, and even Taylor Swift. The team has grown a loyal fan base that has voted them as Phoenix Magazine's Best of the Valley florist for three years in a row. Prior to launching a career in flowers, Gary served as the Creative Director for multiple agencies leading teams around the country and to some of the industry's most prestigious tentpole events. He spearheaded a multitude of projects with Pinterest including CES, SXSW, Cannes Lions, and two National tours. In the summer of 2016, he dedicated his design management to Facebook's presence at the historic Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Gary has added his creative flair to hospitality programs, pop-up activations, and conferences for Sundance Film Festival, Montage Resorts, SSP America, WooCommerce, Swift Transportation, Greystar, NBA, Slack, Instagram, and even The White House. During the decade prior, Gary was the creator behind the illustrious SWAY Events, known throughout the industry as a go-to planner for clients like American Music Awards, Village Voice Media, Johnny Rockets, Budweiser, and Skyy Vodka with a resume boasting countless grand openings, product launches, corporate conventions, environmental design, VIP functions, celebrity gifting lounges, media receptions, and more.

Blanca Mondragon CFD, AzMF

Blanca Mondragon is the owner, Creative Director, and designer for Amazing Flowers in Central Phoenix. She has been in the floral industry for 17 years and has a passion for flowers. Amazing Flowers specializes in upscale custom client work, weddings and events, as well as flowers for everyday needs and local deliveries. Blanca is bi-lingual and involved in many local organizations for small business owners, as well as business education and mentorship.

Serving her second term as the president of the Arizona State Florists Organization, she has won competitions with ASFA as well as the Arts and Flowers Phoenix Art Museum program. A well respected designer and businesswoman, she strives to better the floral community, inspire newcomers to our industry and be a leader in local business awareness. Continually striving to better herself, Blanca is going to apply to AIFD this summer, as well as working towards her PFCI certification. She also excels at visual merchandising, and brand-building.

 

 

 

 Renee' Potter, AIFD, AzMF

Renee’ Potter is a fourth-generation florist. Growing up in the industry gives her a special niche, being
taught tried and true classic mechanics and design, at the same time young enough to connect with the new generation of up-and-coming designers. This is an industry that morphs with time and technology, Renee’ is flexible and open to current changes and trends. Renee’ has owned and operated Fred’s Flowers in Tempe, Arizona since 2005.
She eventually became interested in design competitions and has placed in Arizona, Arkansas, and California.
Next Renee’ found the love of presenting and instructing to industry members and consumers. Renee’ is also an active Board Member of the Arizona State Florists Association, holding positions of Expo Chair, Vice President, President and Treasurer. Her next position on the Board with be Education Chair. This fall, Renee’ will begin instructing AzMF (Arizona Master Florist) certification classes, following the big footprints of Brian Vetter and Joyce Mason-Monheim.

 

 

Ikuko Hashimoto AIFD, EMC

Ikuko is a freelance designer based in Arizona. Ikuko has been in a floral industry for over 30 years and has a passion for Japanese floral design and is adept at incorporating its principles into the traditional American style of
floral design. A native of Japan, she grew up learning Ikebana. After moving to New York in 1990, she worked as a freelance designer for 10 years specializing in Japanese destination weddings and corporate events as well as being featured in Japanese TV shows.

After moving to Arizona, she has been a lead designer at Brady’s Floral
located in the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona for over 20 years and she has become a freelance designer in 2021. She has been traveling and designing in USA, Holland and Japan since then.
Ikuko was inducted into American Institute of Floral Designers in 2005 and became an AIFD Certified Evaluator / Judge in 2013. She completed the European Master Certification (EMC) in 2018. She is a representative of JFPEA(JAPAN FLOWERS AND PLANTS EXPORT ASSOCIATION) and she has been promoting Japanese flowers in USA and Europe.