On the evening of October 11, 2022, the Great Lakes Floral Foundation inducted Jim Wilson of Jim Wilson & Associates, Brent Mains owner of Mains Importing, and Jim Schmidt of Hyacinth House into the Hall of Fame.
The event was held in the Lincoln room at Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center E. Lansing, MI. The evening started at 6:00 pm with a reception where 80+ attendees enjoyed appetizers, libations, and conversation. At 7:00 pm sharp, Foundation Chairman and emcee Jerome Raska, AAF, AIFD, CF, PFCI, welcomed everyone and invited Robbin Yelverton, AAF, AIFD, CF, PFCI, to give the invocation, after which dinner was served.
The inductions began at 8:00 pm with stories of Jim Wilson from Alan Buckley, owner of Norman Smith Enterprises, David Bailys, VP NAPCO, and James Wilson, Jim’s Son. Jerome then presented Jim with his Hall of Fame award. After receiving his award Mr. Wilson reflected on 50+ years of selling for NAPCO, Norman Smith Enterprises, Davidson Upoff, and various other lines. “In closing, I want to thank my wife, Sharon, who has stood at my side and helped and encouraged me over the years. She has been my Secretary, bookkeeper, order writer, and order re-writer at trade shows as the interpreter of my awful penmanship.”
Jim Wilson receives the award.
Next, Tony Veer of Mains Importing told a wonderful story of how he got his start 36 years ago and how blessed he’s been to have worked for a great family and have such loyal customers who he also considers friends. Jason, aka Brent Jr., then came to the podium and read a note from his father, Brent, who was unable to attend. “My Dad started working in the floral industry in 1972 when he worked for Bill Watson of Watson’s Trading in Hillsdale. Over time he began representing a few other industry lines. In fact, at one point, he was a sales rep for 14 different companies. In 1982, Dad and my Mom, Carol, formed Mains Importing. They started in a small office space in downtown Litchfield while renting storage space for product. In 1987 they broke ground at our current location in Hillsdale. Today we are proud to say we have three generations of family working at Mains Importing. Thank you to those who have supported Mains Importing over the last 40 years. We are looking forward to another 40!” Jason then graciously accepted the Hall of Fame award on behalf of his father.
Jason Mains receives the award.
The final induction of the evening was bestowed upon Jim Schmidt. Cliff McClumpha, the new owner of Hyacinth House, spoke on working for Jim and his business partner Dave over the last fourteen years and how they both have mentored him and have now entrusted him with purchasing their company. After being presented with his Hall of Fame award, Jim Schmidt spoke from the heart on how his friendships with industry icons such as Jon Anthony, Frank DeVos, and Lucile Belen, to name a few, helped him and Dave grow the business which they started together from scratch in 1975. He also spoke about the importance of education, and the role Lucile Belen and the Great Lakes Floral Association/Foundation have played in providing classes not only on floral design but how to make money in the flower business.
Jim Schmidt receives the award.
At the end of the evening, one other special person was acknowledged. The Great Lakes Floral Association President Teresa Cytlak presented Jeanette Ballien of Gaudreau the Florists with a plaque of appreciation for Seventeen years of service on the Great Lakes Floral Association/Foundation Board of Directors. President Cytlak offered a special thanks to Jeanette and her family, who are directly responsible for creating the Great Lakes Floral Foundation fifteen years ago in 2007.
The Great Lakes Floral Foundation would like to thank Norman Smith Enterprises (NSE) for their Title Sponsorship of the event. Also, thank you to Teleflora for their Platinum sponsorship, and a big Thank You to Hyacinth House and their team for setting up and providing the beautiful décor for the evening.
For more information:
Great Lakes Floral Association
www.greatlakesfloralassociation.org