Congratulations to all our members taking on new Leadership roles!
My travels have taken me to the 2022 Great Lakes Floral & Event Expo held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Members from our North Central Regional Chapter were there to greet me and I was pleased to take in exceptional programs, student competitions, AIFD® displays and Awards! Jackie Lacey AIFD received the National Service Award, Jerome Raska AIFD received the Certified Florist of the Year award, J Robbin Yelverton AIFD was the 2022 Academy Design Winner, Jeremy Rettger AIFD won Designer of the Year, and Michelle Runyon AIFD won Retail Employee of the Year. Congratulations to all!
My South Central Regional visit was with President Rhonda Lynn Moeckel AIFD at Baisch & Skinner Inc. in Wichita, KS. Mitzi Alexander AIFD lead a fabulous workshop, along with feature designs by Chris Norwood AIFD. Congratulations to Nicola Parker AIFD for taking the Frankie Shelton Cup! I will cherish my South Central pin, thank you for this very special gift.
Incoming Regional Chapter Presidents were welcomed and the full National Board met at the Chicago Hilton, our 2023 Symposium venue. This was our first meeting together in two years!
Most recently, a quick stop to Western Kentucky University to visit with my friends in the Southern Regional Chapter. Roger Dennis AIFD, a graduate of WKU, and professor there, provided a competition with eighteen of his students. There will be a special chance to attend Roots Symposium for the students. The future of floral design looks very optimistic! President Aisha Crivens AIFD and J Ross Railey AIFD provided workshops, Linda K Speer AIFD assisted. John Kittinger AIFD volunteered to be a judge evaluator. I would like to Congratulate all of our newly elected officers on the National and Regional Boards. I look forward to your energy, new ideas and dedication to our AIFD organization.
