TPIE took place on January 22-24th at the Ft Lauderdale Convention Center, over 8000 attendees and 800 vendors.
So how did we get here and why do we go? It’s easy, the plants are breath taking, so many new varieties, it’s a tropical paradise. AIFD has become a featured sponsor of the show, putting on programs for the attendees as well as three years ago, we had the pleasure of being asked to do the lobby entrance which has continued to be a great show case for AIFD.
So, if we back track a bit, about ten years ago, Tom Simmons AIFD CFD developed the Career Development Committee and thought attending this show might be an excellent way to promote ourselves to FFA students, vendors to become Partners, attendees to learn about AIFD and attend Symposium. A small booth with an arrangement of fresh flowers, lap top capable of showing attendees’ pictures of symposium was our focus.
A couple of years later, programs on a draped six-foot table, demonstrating how to upsell beautiful plants, in a corner next to the food concession stand became our venue. About ten people enjoyed watching us for a quick bite to eat. Ralph Null AIFD CFD fellow chaired this event for many years with his masterful programs and plant techniques. Ralph soon dressed up all the lunch tables with linens and centerpieces too.
Thanks to Linda Adams FLGLA our industry partner, we are a featured sponsor, have a stage the “Create Theater” and the support of vendors and attendees that are excited to grab the front row seats for our fabulous featured programs.
A first-time attendee President Jackie Lacey AIFD CFD did a program on trends, lobby display and a booth judge. Sandy Schroeck AIFD CFD, also a first timer jumped in with a lobby display and program on wellness. Eileen Cheng AIFD CFD, did a presentation on how plants are used for funerals and memorials and lobby display. Alejandro Figueira Fernandes AIFD CFD circles of yarn wrapped with anthuriums dazzled the lobby and Inspirational Designs were featured on stage. The programs were rounded out on the third day by Delia Chen AIFD CFD, Brittany Madon CFD and Eileen Cheng AIFD CFD as they entertained us with a hands-on surprise package, “Designer Challenge” using plants and lots of vendor materials. Pilar Gonzalaz AIFD CFD and Grace Spencer King CFD designed beautiful fresh flowers from our Industry Partner Elite Flower Services, Inc.
Accent Décor, Smithers Oasis, Design Master tool, UCI and Syndicate Sales also donated beautiful product that accented the plants beautifully. Next year, the Convention will be taking place in Tampa on January 21-23, 2021. Anyone is invited, come and share your creativity and love of plants. Contact me; janetblackaifd@gmail.com
