In September, the Society of American Florists (SAF) recognized Kenneth Royer, inducting the Lebanon resident into the Floriculture Hall of Fame at the association's annual convention in Orlando, Fla. He was honored for his contributions to the industry. Kenneth's son Greg, chairman of Royer's, accepted the award on his father's behalf..

SAF noted that Kenneth was the first florist in the country to implement computerized systems for his stores and was among the first florists to import flowers directly from South America. In 1998, he published the book "Retailing Flowers Profitably," and he has held dozens of seminars on topics from marketing to management and post-harvest care, according to an article on SAF's website. Kenneth also served on the boards of SAF and the American Floral Endowment.

Industry recognition is nothing new for Kenneth. In 1983, he was inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture and was named Pennsylvania Retail Florist of the Year. In 1986, SAF presented him with its Golden Bouquet Award. In 2004, he received the FTD Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kenneth's mother, Hannah, started growing African violets on the windowsill of the family's home. She sold them at a local farmers market before she and her husband, Lester, converted their two-car garage into a flower shop. After school, Kenneth helped by delivering flowers to customers. After high school, he joined the business full time, and his career now spans 60 years.

Fourth-generation family-owned Royer's has 16 stores in Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties, including one Stephenson's Flowers & Gifts location in Harrisburg. Sister company Connells Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts has three stores in the Columbus, Ohio, area.