2025 Speakers & Celebrities

Visit often for updates on celebrity & expert appearances.

Kristin Hayward Principal & Owner of iDESIGN inc.

Thursday @ 6PM, Friday @ 2PM

Kristin Hayward Principal & Owner of iDESIGN inc.

Kristin Hayward is owner of iDESIGN; she first discovered her passion for design when her & her husband built their first home. After her second child Kristin went back to school to obtain her diploma in interior design & started iDESIGN.

At iDESIGN, our goal is to take the stress out of an otherwise multi-faceted process for our clients while ensuring their expectations are not only met but exceeded. We work to pair our signature luxurious yet laid back aesthetic with the personal taste and functional needs of our clients.

iDESIGN is an award winning design firm & our work has been featured in Lux Life Magazine, Anthologie Home & Garden Edition, Who’s Who in Renovations' Magazine, Localfare Magazine & The National Post.

Demand for iDESIGN services quickly expanded. What started as a part-time venture in 2013 out of Kristin's home office, iDESIGN has now expanded to include a full-time team of interior designers, a complementary boutique furniture, lighting & home décor storefront, & an office for the firm located at 900 Corydon Ave in Winnipeg MB.

Presentation Topic: Designing Your Dream Home: A Step-by-Step Guide to Renovations and New Builds

Dino Stepic Dino Sells Homes

Sunday @ 2PM

Dino Stepic Dino Sells Homes

Dino Stepic's stellar reviews, marketing, and versatility earned an endorsement from Scott McGillivray as the trusted agent for Winnipeg, MB. With a deep understanding of the local market, Dino helps buyers, sellers, and investors achieve their real estate goals with confidence. Known for his strategic approach, Dino leverages innovative marketing and industry insights to maximize results. Whether you're purchasing your dream home or selling for top dollar, he provides trusted guidance every step of the way. If - or someone you care for - is looking for a Realtor® who combines professionalism with a personal touch, Dino Stepic is ready to help!

Presentation Topic: "Stay or Sell - Smart Moves For Aging Well"

Florence Van Dijk Florence Botanicals

Friday @ 3PM, Saturday @ 5:30PM

Florence Van Dijk Florence Botanicals

Florence van Dijk was transplanted from the lush green countryside of Ireland to snowy Winnipeg in 2013 with her husband and two daughters. She grew up on a farm on Ireland's East coast and developed her love of nature and botanicals from the Dutch side of her family and her many trips to the Netherlands. Leaving behind a career in retail marketing, she studied Floristry in an agriculture college near Belfast. She then worked as a florist and interior designer. In Winnipeg she worked for Oak & Lily before branching out on her own.

Her aim is to bring her customers the joy and seasonality of flowers as part of their every day and on their most special days too. Florence has regular pop-ups at Parlour Coffee, Main Street selling fresh and dried bunches and house plants.

The presentation explores selecting, drying and arranging dried flowers.

Presentation Topic: Dried Flowers - Everlasting Beauty

Calvin Eisner Manitoba Nursery & Landscape Association

Friday @ 1PM

Calvin Eisner Manitoba Nursery & Landscape Association

Calvin Eisner is Vice President of the Manitoba Nursery & Landscape Association and the Sales Manager of Limitless Landscaping. With over 15 years of experience in the landscaping and construction industry, he has dedicated his career to transforming outdoor spaces while mentoring and training others to become green professionals. As a member of the MBNLA Board of Directors, Calvin is passionately involved in initiatives that help educate, inform and inspire those both horticulture and landscape industry professionals and the public. Whether you’re unsure of how to bring your landscape vision to life or haven’t yet considered landscaping, Calvin can show you how partnering with a professional landscaper can turn your outdoor haven dreams into reality.

Presentation Topic: Vision to Reality: Partnering with a Landscaper

Jeff Southam President of Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association

Sunday @ 11AM

Jeff Southam President of Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association

Jeff has owned and operated Sunshower Sprinklers, installing and servicing irrigation and lighting systems since 1994. Jeff and the Sunshower team are proud to be the oldest and largest Irrigation company in Winnipeg with the same ownership and experienced team. With certified designers and technical staff Sunshower is a proud member of Irrigation Association.

Over the 31 years of irrigating and lighting properties in Manitoba, Jeff has built relationships and trust in the industry. Becoming the president of the MBNLA ( Manitoba Nursery and Landscape Association) in 2024.

Matt Bell Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association

Matt has worked within the landscape industry for over two decades, founding Geller's Design | Build | Landscape in 2012 and growing to be Winnipeg's largest residential focused landscape company. We employ a diverse team designing and building custom award-winning projects in the outdoor living space.

In 2025, in partnership, Matt acquired Shelmerdine Garden Centre to further expand our landscape business. Together, Shelmerdine and Geller’s are able to offer award winning experiences throughout designing, building, and furnishing both your outdoor spaces and home.

From basic design and plant knowledge, to in-ground pool construction, paving stone and pool houses, Matt has a diverse blend of knowledge touching on the many aspects of current outdoor living.

Presentation Topic: Landscaping Essentials: A Technical Breakdown of Hardscaping, Softscaping and Lighting & Irrigation