Focal Points: An AIFD Blog

Southern Chapter Updates: Gather & Member Spotlight

Southern Chapter Updates: Gather & Member Spotlight

Happy post Valentine’s Day. You made it! All of your hard work paid off for another successful holiday. Now that Valentine’s Day is out of the way, it is not too late to register for Gather. Iron Design Competition: Thank you, Fern Trust, for sponsoring…

The AIFD Symposium: A Celebration of Floral Excellence and Innovation

The AIFD Symposium: A Celebration of Floral Excellence and Innovation

If you weren’t at the 2024 AIFD Annual Symposium, Emerge, in Orlando, Florida, you missed a remarkable celebration of floral artistry, bringing together hundreds of designers and professionals worldwide. As the official procurement software for the event, Details Flowers Software played a pivotal role behind…

TPIE: Always Evolving, Always on Trend

TPIE: Always Evolving, Always on Trend

By Janet Black AIFD The American Institute of Floral Designers was a major sponsor for the Tropical Plant and International Expo this year. Growers, wholesalers, landscapers, florists and plant enthusiasts from around the world converged at the Ft Lauderdale Convention Center. For three days, January…

Ribbon for Floristry

Ribbon for Floristry

By Ken Norman AIFD, PFCI Ribbon, by definition, is a long, narrow piece of fabric. There are many different types of fabricused to manufacture ribbon. From burlap to organdy, ribbon is most commonly used by floriststo accentuate bridal bouquets, sympathy designs and everyday designs. The…

A Historical Perspective on Those Who Influence Us     

A Historical Perspective on Those Who Influence Us     

By: Alice Waterous AIFD, CFD, CF, PFCI When Trisha Haisler AIFD asked me many weeks, (maybe months) ago to write something for the newsletter I said: “Of Course”, being one who can’t say no.  Then I procrastinated until here it is January, and I expect…

Bringing Joy and Beauty Wherever We Go

Bringing Joy and Beauty Wherever We Go

Blooms Over Palm Springs is planning for another successful project We can all agree that flowers bring people joy. Sharing that message with as many people as possible is at the core of why the Blooms Over project exists. During the Reflection Symposium, AIFD® will…

President’s Message: The Importance of Mentorship and Volunteerism

President’s Message: The Importance of Mentorship and Volunteerism

Dear Fellow Members, As we continue to grow and evolve as an organization, I am reminded of the incredible strength that comes from working together. As we move into spring and enter a period where many chapters are planning fundraising events, I want to take…

Registration is now open for Gather 2025! 


Registration is now open for Gather 2025! 


The AIFD Southern Chapter is excited to announce Gather 2025 (March 7-9, 2025), our third annual educational event! Quickly becoming a cherished tradition, Gather offers florists a relaxed and intimate space to learn, recharge, and connect with peers. This year, we’re thrilled to present an exceptional lineup…

Five Tips to Create a Winning Proposal

Five Tips to Create a Winning Proposal

Creating a proposal that stands out in a competitive market can be the difference between landing a dream client and missing out on a business opportunity. Whether you’re working on a wedding, corporate event, or any special occasion, your proposal has to capture what you…

AIFD National Board Update: Insights from the October Board Meeting in Denver, Colorado

AIFD National Board Update: Insights from the October Board Meeting in Denver, Colorado

We hope this message finds you flourishing in your floral endeavors. The AIFD National Board gathered in Denver, Colorado, in October 2024 for an impactful meeting filled with important discussions and decisions that will shape the future of our organization. Here are the key highlights…