Tournament of Roses Announces 2015 Float Judges

The Tournament of Roses has selected Els Hazenberg, Steven Wood Schmader and Eddie Zaratsian to be float judges for the 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda. The judges will grant awards in a variety of floral and design categories that emphasize fantastic floral presentations (especially in the use of roses), creativity, imagination, beauty, use of theme, humor, dramatic impact and entertainment value.

Tournament of Roses President Rich Chinen will announce the winning floats the morning of January 1, 2015, at Tournament House. “The Rose Parade float judges bring diverse skills to the judging process that will greatly assist them in the difficult task of judging each of the incredible floral masterpieces that are designed, built and decorated by teams who put heart and soul into each presentation,” said Chinen.

About the 2015 Rose Parade Float Judges

Els Hazenberg, internationally known Dutch freelance floral designer, instructor and judge, has travelled all over the world teaching the art of European floral design and promoting the use of flowers at seminars and floral events.

Hazenberg has designed flowers for a number of events involving the Dutch Royal Family, including two weddings for the sons of Beatrix, and State dinners in the United Kingdom and Washington, DC. She was also a member of the team that decorated the church in Amsterdam where Queen Beatrix was inaugurated in 1980. Among many honors, Hazenberg received the Floral Nobel Prize at the 2002 World Flower Council Summit in the Netherlands, recognizing her outstanding work in the international floral world. In 1996, Hazenberg was honored with the American Institute of Floral Designers “Award of Design Influence” for the positive impact her creative work has made on American floral design.

She now continues her lifelong interest in flowers by studying botanical drawing and painting with Dutch, US and English artists. Hazenberg is a member of the Dutch Society of Botanical Artists and American Society of Botanical Artists. Her artwork is shown at galleries and art museums.

For 30 years, Hazenberg and her late husband, George, decorated the official vehicles in the Rose Parade. This will be her third time serving as a float judge for the Tournament of Roses – Hazenberg was a float judge in 1984 and 2005.

Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE, is the President and CEO of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA World), which celebrates 60 years supporting and enabling event professionals worldwide in 2015. He also serves as the publisher and editor of “ie: the business of international events” magazine.

Previously, Schmader served for 11 years as the President of the Boise (Idaho) River Festival, which he started in 1991 and grew to include the support of more than 750 sponsors and 4,000 volunteers. Simultaneously, he served as the founding President of the “Humanitarian Bowl” (now the “Famous Idaho Potato Bowl”) and the Executive Producer of the Boise 2000 Millennium Celebration, recognized by the BBC as ‘the top celebration by an American City.’ In 2000, The Idaho Statesman named him one of 10 influential individuals leading Idaho into the new millennium.

Early in his career, Schmader spent 12 years working for the international, educational and performing organization, Up with People, as their Director of Special Events.

In 2002, Amusement Business Magazine recognized Schmader as an “Industry Difference Maker” and in 2004 was featured as a “Profile in Event Leadership” in Special Events: Event Leadership for a New World. Schmader serves as the Director of the Event Management School at Oglebay National Training Center in West Virginia and architect of the IFEA World Festival & Event City Award, recognizing and encouraging positive city-event partnerships worldwide.

Eddie Zaratsian, the creative director for Tic-Tock Couture Florals and Eddie Zaratsian Custom Florals and Lifestyle, is one of the most sought after floral designers internationally. One of the youngest inductees into the American Institute of Floral Designers, his consistently beautiful designs and undeniable talent continue to amaze his impressive list of clients and fans.

Zaratsian is the go-to floral designer to some of Hollywood’s biggest names. For over two decades, he has been a preferred and celebrated artist in the recording, film, and television industries. Some of his noteworthy accomplishments include working with Oprah Winfrey on the launch of OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and The Emmy Awards Governor’s Ball. Zaratsian’s work has also graced the pages of countless publications including Glamour, InStyle, Grace Ormonde’s Wedding Style, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, Ceremony Magazine and People. Fashion houses including Chanel, Christian Dior and Gucci have looked to Zaratsian for many industry events.

The London Financial Times named Zaratsian as the top five leading floral designers in the world. A showcase of Zaratsian’s talents can be seen in his book, Eddie Zaratsian: Custom Florals and Lifestyle.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed “Inspiring Stories,” will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.