2018 Speakers & Celebrities

2018 speakers & celebrities

 tyler wisler

With over 18 years in the industry, Tyler Wisler has established himself as one of New York’s most influential and dynamic designers with an international clientele. Tyler earned a certificate from the New York School of Interior Design, and graduated from Marymount University with a BA in Interior Design. Since then, he has been exciting people with his unique approach to tailoring environments through the integration of vintage industrial elements dovetailed with modern sensibilities. These fashionably aspirational spaces include a hint of the unexpected which keep the environments lively and promotes conversation. Tyler’s been featured on hit shows like HGTV’s “Design Star’’, ABC’s “Good Morning America”, and NBC’s “George To The Rescue’’. With an ear to the ground and discerning eye, he has been sought out by not only the mega-online retailer OpenSky to be one of their taste-makers, but he is also an “eBay Influencer”, and a content creator for Skype. Most notably though, Tyler is a Pinterest “Pinfluencer” in both the Home Décor and Men’s Fashion categories touted by both Mashable and the Huffington Post as “one to follow”. He has been seen in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, New York Spaces, and recently HOSS Magazine offered Tyler a position as one of their permanent celebrity contributors. Companies like Kohler, 3M, BRIZO, Cosentino and Benjamin Moore have all collaborated for that edgy aesthetic and authentic narrative that only Tyler can bring to a project. Tyler recently added to his extensive resume by launching a line of eco-luxury bedding for Butterfly Dreams linens. Whether talking trends, demonstrating a DIY project, or creating a rocking interior, Tyler believes everyone has the right to be surrounded by great design!

Tyler will be appearing on the Unilock Outdoor Living Stage
Saturday, March 10 
Sunday, March 11

Joanie Sprague

Joanie Sprague is best known as the first runner-up on American's Next Top Model cycle 6.  Her career has taken her all over the world but has always brought her back to the basics.  After American's Next Top Model, she co-hosted DIY Networks Run My Renovation where she got to build, renovate and show her skills as a carpenter.

Joanie will soon be seen in the reboot of Trading Spaces, the television home design series that launched a TV genre, returns to America's living rooms on Saturday, April 7, 2018 on TLC.  Joanie is one of two new carpenters to the show, joining legacy carpenters Ty Pennington and Carter Oosterhouse.

Joanie got her first taste of construction and handyman skills as a child, helping her dad around the church.  She loves to get her hands dirty and jump right into exciting construction projects; her goal is to help other women tackle projects at home by themselves.  She has also appeared on Mancaves, Yardcore and Built to Shred.

Joanie will be appearing on the Unilock Outdoor Living Stage
Friday, March 16 - Sunday, March 18.

Terri Stacy

Celebrating 33 years at WIBC Radio in Indianapolis and the co-host of the Morning News for 22 years, which included reporting traffic for the last three.
Taking on a new role of a new program called "Neighbor to Neighbor", which promotes non-profit events.

Teri will be the stage MC, March 10 & 11.

Mel McMahon Stone

Mel is an entrepreneur, radio and television personality, and local business activist.  She and her husband, Lance, are the co-founders of Indiana Originals, a growing statewide directory of locally owned and operated businesses headquartered in Indiana.  Mel is a board member of the Indiana Chapter of the TEARS Foundation and the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana.  She is currently heard on 93.1 WIBC, Country 97.1 HANK FM, and B105.7 and often seen on WISH-TV8's  Indy Style and Fox59's Morning News.  She also acts as a consultant to several nonprofits and local small businesses and is a proud member of the 2013 IBJ Forty under 40 class.

Mel will be the stage MC, March 17 & 18

carol michel

Carol Michel is the author of Potted & Pruned: Living a Gardening Life, which received the 2018 Garden Media Gold Award for Best Overall Book from GWA: The Association of Garden  Communicators, and Homegrown and Handpicked: A Year in a Gardening Life. She is also a lifelong gardener with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture production from Purdue University, an avid collector of old gardening books and claims to have the largest hoe collection in the world. A popular speaker, Carol has written for Indiana Gardening and Horticulture magazines and regularly writes for her award-winning garden blog, www.maydreamsgardens.com    

john orick 

John Orick earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University in Turfgrass Science. John’s work experience includes nearly 10 years in the golf course maintenance industry, including 4 years as an assistant golf course superintendent at two different Indiana golf courses. He served as a Purdue Extension Educator in Madison County for 16 years. John currently serves as Purdue Master Gardener State Coordinator in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. John has worked on teams to develop Extension programs such as Purdue Master Gardeners…Growing Through Leadership and the Purdue Rainscaping Education Program. He provides leadership for the administration of the Purdue Master Gardener Program statewide. In 2016, there were more than 3,000 Master Gardener volunteers in Indiana, contributing over 163,000 volunteer hours valued at $3.7 million.

John will appear on stage Friday, March 16th for two appearances, with topics about, Spring Lawn Care Tips, and Common Lawn Problems.  

rosie lemer

Home Gardening Guidance from Rosie
Rosie Lerner is a Purdue Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist and flourishes when developing programs, publications and audio-visual materials targeting home gardeners. On Wednesday, March 14, she will discuss gardening with arthritis and gardening for pollinators. Join her for some gardening guidance!

Carolyn Kurek, AIFD, CFD

Carolyn is the administrator for the C2K Floral Design School in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Carolyn is an award winning designer, works as a freelance designer and consultant in design shop management.

Carolyn has been an accredited member of AIFD since 1999.  She is an AIFD Certified Judge and Evaluator.  Carolyn has served on the Executive Board for the AIFD North Central Chapter since 2009 and is currently serving as Vice-President for the NC Chapter.  She also serves as the Chairperson for the National AIFD Career Development Committee.

Alice Waterous  AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI

Staff designer at Nordlie/Kennicott Grandville branch, Owner of Alice Waterous Floral Consultant LLC and "Alice's Christmas Elves"

Having been a retail shop owner, wholesale design specialist, event designer and show presenter; I feel blessed to have experienced the many faces of the floral industry.  Even after following my dream career for over 45 year, I still feel the warm glow of pride when I am complimented on my work.

Jim Rauch AIFD, CFD

Jim Rauch is the owner of Unique Designs Florist Studio in Dayton OH.  He was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2002 in Chicago and received his Certified Floral Evaluator/Judge designation in 2015.

He has held positions on the North Central AIFD Executive Board as Secretary, Vice President, President Elect and President.  Additionally he served as North Central Representative on the AIFD National Board from 2009-2015, as well as a Representative to AIFD Foudation during the same time.

Lisa Belisle, AIFD, ICPF

During the last twenty year, Lisa has participated in every floral part of the floral industry including management, wholesale flower sales, exporting New Zealand-grown flowers, coordinating shipping, and owning her own business.

Today, Lisa's passions are continuing her own education, teaching beginner floral design, and creating arrangements for corporate showrooms.  Her style is adaptive and she loves to create pieces infused with Mother Nature with compelling earth elements and lines.
Actively involved with WUMFA and AIFD and the industry as a whole.  Lisa is the owner of and instructor at Flora Elements Education and Design in Chicago where she runs a full spectrum floral design school.

Trisha Haislar AIFD, CFD

Trisha's love of art and botanicals launched her career into the floral arts in 1986.  She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) in 1997 and is a Certified Floral Designer (CFD).  After many years of working in flower shops in both Illinois and Missouri, Trisha started her own business in 2005.  Elegant Celebrations specializes in weddings, parties and events in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Trisha teaches advanced floral design and wedding design classes at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois.  Always wanting to learn more about floral design she is currently enrolled in the European Master Certification course.   

Sheryl Timmermann, AIFD, CFD

Sheryl enthusiastically entered the floral industry at A Special Touch Florist, her family owned florist in the late 90's and has over 19 years of retail floral experience.  At age 15 she enrolled in night classes at South Western Illinois College, and later attended Southern California School of Floral Design.  She has since then been developing and honing her skills with direction from Catherine Timmermann her mother, and Phil Rulloda, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CFD as her mentors.
Sheryl has won numerous design awards in the industry for her innovative artistic ideas and design talents.  She held a position on the Board of Directors for Illinois Floral Association.  She received her CFD in 2014 and got inducted into the AIFD in 2015.

Michelle Soupley, AIFD

Banner Flower House, Kokomo, IN

Jim Johnson, AIFD

Jim began is career in Floral Design at age 15.  He earned his degree in Floriculture from Michigan State University and went on to own and operate Johnson's Flower Shop in Huntington, Indiana for 13 years.  Jim then became the Director of the Floral Design program at Texas A&M where he earned his Master's Degree in Agriculture.  Jim has earned numerous Award and Achievements throughout his career including the American Institute of Floral Designer's Distinguished Service Award.  Jim is a lifetime Honorary Member of Garden Club of America and National Garden Clubs, Inc.  Having dedicated his life and career to teaching Floral Design across the United States and the world. 

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP

 Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, a 25-year veteran of newspaper journalism, owns Write for You! LLC, a freelance writing and editing business. She is a regular contributor to Indiana Gardening, and until recently, was editor of Iowa Gardener, Michigan Gardening, Minnesota Gardener and Wisconsin Gardening magazines. She has been writing a weekly gardening column for The Indianapolis Star since 1989 and is a frequent guest on television, radio and web broadcasts. An Advanced Master Gardener, she is a garden coach and has an all-season container planting business. For nearly 20 years, she has worked at a large, independent garden center in Indianapolis. A popular, five-star rated speaker, she’s co-author of the Indiana Gardener’s Guide, author of The Visitor’s Guide to American Gardens and contributor to Oxford Companion to the Garden and Phaidon’s The Gardener’s Garden. Jo Ellen is vice president of GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators; a director of the Horticultural Society at Newfields (formerly Indianapolis Museum of Art); member of Indiana Landmarks Cultural Landscapes Committee; and member of GreatGardenSpeakers.com.