Chris Drummond, AAF, is the President of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia, PA, and a third-generation florist. His experience in the floral industry began at an early age, working in the family business sweeping floors, cleaning the greenhouse, and wiring flowers. By 17, he was managing wedding and event sales and overseeing the delivery department during holidays. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College and has since guest lectured at the University of Delaware and Penn State University.

An accomplished floral designer, marketer, and salesman, Chris has a talent for integrating technology and developing systems to boost sales, productivity, and brand awareness. In the 1980s, Plaza Flowers was one of the first florists to introduce a fax order program and free cell phone ordering. In the early 1990s, Chris launched one of the first secure e-commerce florist websites with POS integration—Pflorist.com—which is now approaching its 32nd anniversary.

Chris’s floral expertise includes working on several presidential inaugurations and the 2000 Republican National Convention. He has served three terms as President of the Pennsylvania Floral Industry Association and was recognized as “Florist of the Year.” Most recently, he led the Society of American Florists as President and Chairman.