Submitted by Rhonda Lynn-Moeckel AIFD, CFD
South Central Past President
I want to share an AIFD® experience I had in September. I attended the AFA – Arkansas Floral Association’s 70th Annual Convention and Vendor Showcase. It was absolutely awesome. In fact you may want to mark your calendar for August 24-26 2023 for next year’s AFA – Arkansas Floral Association’s Convention.
Our own South Central Regional Chapter National Representative, served as the President of AFA and was in charge of this year’s AFA Convention. The theme was “Passion”. His final night dinner was over the top, and red Roses were the star of the evening. Of course they did not outshine Shane Cranford AIFD, CFD, AMF.
Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD, AMF, (South Central’s Vice President) officially took on the roll of the AFA President for the next year 2022-2023, during the final night dinner.
The 2022 AFA Convention, had quite a lineup of AIFD Presenters:
Cindy Tole AIFD, CFD, sponsored by Teleflora
J. Keith White AIFD, CFD, sponsored by FTD.
2022 Program, Hands On & Panel Designers:
Renato Sogueco AAF, PFCI, sponsored by Bloom Net.
Chris Norwood AIFD, CFD (South Central’s Own) sponsored by AFA
Alan Masters, AIFD, CFD, PFCE (South Central’s President Elect) sponsored by AFA
Friday evening’s Program was a walk through our floral industry trends from the 50’s – until now the 2000’s. Here are a few of the featured designers for each decade: Alan Masters, AIFD, CFD, Alison Hobson AIFD, CFD, Kathy Rodocker AIFD, CFD, Tanarah Haynie AIFD, CFD
Bill Plummer AIFD, CFD, AMF, was honored not only with the selling of red hearts to raise money to help complete his fund, but one of the designs in the Mid America Cup Competition was a memorial piece featuring Bill’s picture.
The Arkansas Cup Competition was won by Alison Hobson AIFD, CFD.
If there is something going on in your state, please reach out to a member of the AIFD South Central Regional Chapter Board so we can encourage other members to attend!
Please keep us posted so we can keep the South Central Regional Members in the know.
