Flowers, fresh ideas, familiar faces and plenty to celebrate. FleurEx 2026 brought our industry together in Nottingham for two days of creativity, conversation and community.
On 3rd and 4th October, florists, growers, suppliers, educators, students and friends from across the industry gathered at the East Midlands Conference Centre for FleurEx 2026.
There was so much to see and enjoy, from inspiring demonstrations and hands-on workshops to new products, practical business advice and the chance to catch up with friends and colleagues. Some of the loveliest moments happened between the sessions – people exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and simply enjoying being together.
A weekend full of inspiration
Across the Main Stage, Flower Lab and Plant Lab, visitors enjoyed demonstrations, fresh techniques and creative approaches from talented florists and industry specialists. The exhibition brought together growers, wholesalers, suppliers and businesses for useful conversations about products, materials and ideas.
Our Business Drop-Ins provided space for refreshingly honest discussions about running a floristry business. From profitability, weddings and marketing to sustainability and new materials, there was plenty to take away and put into practice.
Making a difference beyond the weekend
We were delighted to work with COM:POST to give floral waste generated during FleurEx a useful next life. As Fiona and the COM:POST team have confirmed, the event’s collected floral waste will produce around half a tonne of compost, to be supplied to growers at the start of 2027.
It’s a practical example of how the industry can think differently about its materials. Thank you to everyone who helped support the collection throughout the weekend.
Celebrating our 2026 Industry Awards winners
Saturday evening brought everyone together to recognise the people and businesses making a real contribution to British floristry. Congratulations to all twelve category winners:
- Floristry Student of the Year – Jamie Kelly – CAFRE
- Floristry Tutor of the Year – Abigail McGuire – The Floristry School Sheffield
- Training Provider of the Year – Coleg Cambria
- Grower of the Year – Miss Alstroemeria
- Service Provider of the Year – Morgan Douglas Nuth
- Sundries Supplier of the Year – Westflor
- Flower Supplier of the Year – Hoek Flowers
- Local Flower Wholesaler of the Year – Flower Grower Collective
- Sustainability Award – Denise Cross – Bicton College
- Shining Star Award – Viv Bradford – Mrs Bees Flower Company
- Wedding/Event Florist of the Year – Lilys Flowers – Lightwater
- Retail Florist of the Year – Helensburgh Flowers – Helensburgh
A huge congratulations also to every runner-up and finalist. These awards recognise the many different people who make our industry what it is.
Celebrating exceptional floristry talent
FleurEx also gave us the chance to see exceptional competition floristry in action. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and especially to this year’s winners and runners-up.
UK Florist of the Year 2026
- Anja Norris
- Helen Pannitt
- Katie Haslam
People’s Choice Award: Anja Norris
UK Florist of the Year – Newcomer
- Macy McMeekin
- Natasha Wright
- Daiva Barzdeliene
Sunday floristry competitions
Schedule 1
- Grace Potter
- Amy Wilson
- Sarah Murphy
Schedule 2
- Peter Bodnar
- Megan Deakin
- Alexandra Bolton
Schedule 3
- Valerie Edgar
- Tina Pound
- Natalia Kutniakova
Entering a floristry competition takes preparation, confidence and commitment. Thank you to the competitors, judges and organisers for everything they put into the weekend.
A huge thank you
FleurEx wouldn’t happen without the generosity, enthusiasm and hard work of so many people and businesses. We’re especially grateful to our sponsors and supporters, including Flowervision Group, Tom Brown Wholesale Florists, Smithers-Oasis, Details Flowers Software, Hoek Flowers and the many other businesses that helped make the weekend possible.
Special thanks also go to Morgan-Douglas Nuth for hosting the Main Stage and Industry Awards alongside BFA Chair John Davidson. To all our speakers, demonstrators, designers, workshop leaders, exhibitors, volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes – thank you.
And to everyone who travelled to Nottingham, joined the conversations, supported the exhibitors and helped make the weekend such a pleasure, thank you. Floristry can sometimes be a surprisingly solitary business, and opportunities to come together, learn from one another and enjoy each other’s company are valuable.
Thank you for being part of FleurEx 2026. We look forward to seeing you again.
