Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi, a Honolulu-based floral designer and founder of SU‑V Expressions, made an international debut last month representing Hawaiʻi at the world’s largest trade fair for horticulture. The invitation stemmed from connection.
She and co-designer Brenna Quan of Canada met master florist and teacher Bjorn Kroner of Germany at a conference in Palm Springs last summer. He had seen their presentation of “Spirit of Aloha” – a display of creative flower arrangements that includes cultural storytelling – and wanted to bring it to the International Plant Fair (IPM) 2026 in Essen, Germany.
“We were the first North American designers to present on IPM’s stage,” Tabbal-Yamaguchi told Aloha State Daily. “A lot of people come to the event. I didn’t get to see everything. But imagine the [Hawaiʻi] Convention Center times five or six.”
The annual horticulture trade show attracts more than 1,500 exhibitors and 40,000 guests from 45 countries.
Tabbal-Yamaguchi and her small team had less than six months to prepare, tasked with building a larger-than-life lei stand, wedding arch and more, while showcasing hula dancing.
What would she do differently? “Bring more flowers.”
“Between the two of us (Quan), we had seven pieces of luggage, and we used everything that we brought,” she continued. That didn’t include the full group, just shy of 10, and their luggage.
Flowers were sourced from Hawai’i and Ecuador, Tabbal-Yamaguchi noted, adding that orchids were especially popular among audiences.
She described the message of the program as “sharing the aloha spirit through flowers,” as well as personal stories.
Breann Brewer and Princess Sumibcay danced hula, and lei-making and giving them away was another hit.
“We brought Hawaiʻi to them hoping they’d know more of it. They loved the hula dancers; they’re so beautiful at it,” Tabbal-Yamaguchi said, noting that giving lei was "memorable."
When asked what surprised her most about the experience, she said how amazed she was to see master designers learning their "simple techniques," or seeing a lei needle for the first time. “We do have intricate styles, too, we just take for granted.”
Sponsors locally and across the globe made it all come together, she added.
What’s next? For SU‑V Expressions, it’s getting ready for Valentine’s Day and weddings.
Personally, Tabbal-Yamaguchi is looking forward to teaching engagements and getting together with other floral designers across the Islands.
A longtime resident of ‘Āina Haina, she holds two certifications: American Institute of Floral Designers and European Master Certification.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
