Al Meyers, Senior Vice President, Retail Forward, Inc.

For 30 years, nationally-known retail and brand strategist Al Meyers has helped retailers  including Hallmark Cards, Kirkland Stores, Radio shack, Wal-Mart and Zales — develop and improve market position, customer focus, competitive appeals and merchandising. Companies such as General Mills, Kodak, Nokia, Pepsi-Cola and Sara Lee have used his expertise in marketing, branding, retail distribution, shopper insights, categbory management and new product introduction.  Part of Kantar Retail, the world's leading retail insights and consulting business, Retail Forward focuses exclusively on retailers, their customers and suppliers.

Robbin Yelverton, AIFD, MCF, PFCI, Vice President, Blumz...by JR Designs

A Michigan Floral Association Retailer of the Year, Robbin Yelverton is co-owner of Blumz...by JR Designs in metropolitan Detroit. He leads the company’s design and its wedding and event sales and makes Blumz top of mind among Detroiters via  a vibrant Facebook and Twitter presence. A former AIFD board member, Yelverton has a Masters of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from Mississippi State University.

Art Conforti, President, Beneva Flowers & Gifts

Raised in the flower business, Art Conforti has spent most of his life retailing flowers andknows quality and marketing go hand in hand.  “A great design lacking marketing is as ineffective as a great marketing plan for inferior product,” says the Sarasota, Fla., florist. "We have the most unique industry in the world, and we need to recognize our strengths and build on them.”

Kris Wittenauer, Vice President, Diehl Florist, Inc.
A third-generation florist, Kris Wittenauer and husband Jerry have owned her family’s business in Waterloo, Ill, since1983. She has a passion for establishing and growing relationships with customers and believes that surviving tough times requires “getting out on to the sales floor  or the phones or the internet and sharing the wonderful reasons to buy flowers — from us.” The approach must be working: Diehl recently built a new floral shop and greenhouses to accommodate its growth.

Kate Penn, Vice President of Publishing and Communications; Floral Management Editor-in-Chief, Society of American Florists

Finding and providing the vital information florists need to be successful has been Kate Penn's mission for more than 20 years. She has reported on every aspect of floral shop management and shared the best ideas of leading-edge thinkers on topics ranging from marketing, promotions and customer relations to design, staffing and ROI. Kate has brought fresh insight to audiences at major events  audiences around the country including the AIFD Symposium, Dallas Market Center, SAF's annual convention and regional industry gatherings.

Renato Sogueco, Chief Information Officer, Society of American Florists

Helping florists reach customers in exciting new ways is Renato Sogueco’s passion. A communication technology expert  with a talent for translating “geek speak” into plain English, he is a popular trainer at SAF conventions and other conferences. He also authors the acclaimed Plugged-In technology column for Floral Management and guides florists with practical advice about how to create and sustain an effective online presence. Renato continuously explores new technologies relevant to the floral industry.

Jennifer Sparks, Vice President Marketing, Society of American Florists

Corporate communications and public relations expert Jenni Sparks has directed the planning and development of SAF's national consumer marketing programs since 1991. She manages SAF's Nationwide Fund for Public Relations, oversees the association's consumer and industry research programs — including the recent Generations of Flowers Study — and represents the industry to the consumer media. Jenni also conducts SAF's lauded Media Boot Camp workshops for floral business owners and oversees the industry's response to negative publicity.