Periodically the Great Lakes Floral Foundation will honor outstanding members of the floral industry who have made significant contributions to our industry and who have mentored and inspired their fellow industry members. The Great Lakes Floral Foundation Hall of Fame has been established to record the contributions of those so honored. Read more on each inductee by clicking on their name.

Cindy Ching

The Great Lakes Floral Foundation cordially invites you to attend the October 27, 2026, Hall of Fame induction celebration at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, Michigan, honoring Cindy Ching, AIFD, CF, CFD, as she is inducted into the Great Lakes Floral Foundation Hall of Fame.

The program will recognize Cindy’s distinguished career and the experiences that shaped her early commitment to the floral profession. Raised on a farm in Elsie, Michigan, she learned the importance of hard work and follow-through—values that supported a lifelong love of flowers that began at age 15 at Watt’s Floral in Elsie.

Cindy attended Michigan State University, earning a degree in commercial floriculture with minors in greenhouse science and interior design. Upon graduation, she joined Norm Kessel Florist in East Lansing, where she advanced from designer to head designer and subsequently to store manager.

In 1985, Cindy relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she designed large-scale weddings at The Flower Touch for Japanese couples. During this period, she expanded her expertise in lei making and Ikebana, and in 1988 earned her AIFD certification.

Her work in Hawaii continued to grow in scope and recognition—from Floral Silks Hawaii to her own business, Aloha Silk Designs. Her client portfolio included the Hilton Hawaiian Village and leading interior designers staging multimillion-dollar properties.

After Cindy and her family returned to Michigan in 1999, she continued to strengthen her service to the industry. In 2001, she began what would become more than 25 years of dedicated work with the Michigan Floral Association, and that same year earned her Certified Florist designation. GLFA members and guests are encouraged to attend in recognition of her lasting support of florists across GLFA, GLFF, and WUMFA.

The evening will also highlight Cindy’s enduring legacy as an educator. She has consistently found great purpose in teaching floral design and in supporting new Certified Florists as they take their pledge each year at the GLFA conference, along with her continued involvement in FFA.

While floral design has been her lifelong vocation, Cindy most enjoys time with her family—especially the opportunity to spend time with her two grandsons.

You are respectfully encouraged to attend and join in recognizing a lifetime of achievement, service, and leadership. Please join us in honoring Cindy Ching as the 2026 inductee into the Great Lakes Floral Foundation Hall of Fame.