Submitted by Renee Tucci AIFD
The Society of American Florists held their 137th annual Convention September 6-8 at the Hilton Hotel in Orlando Florida.
Many AIFD® members were in attendance, taking advantage of the industry updates, business sessions, design inspirations, awards and accolades, and networking opportunities.
Here are some of the highlights:
Executive Director Jalene Bowersmith CAE greeted guests at the Expo and shared with them about our mission, our new Guidebook, and our upcoming GROW symposium.
Design Team: Bill Hattel AIFD PFCI, Robyn Arnold AIFD, Rhoda Paurus, Steven Santos AIFD, Kelsey Thompson AIFD, Corey Harbour AIFD PFCI, Tiffany Pruitt
Lenzee Bilke AIFD presented on the panel for Creating a Pipeline of Talent Through Schools
Renee Tucci AIFD AAF PFCI, Anahit Hakobyan AIFD EMC & Derek Woodruff AIFD CF PFCI at the Next Gen gathering for attendees 45 and under
Vonda LaFever AIFD PFCI & Lori Wilson PFCI presenting Sell What You See in the Experience Zone
Chris Norwood AIFD AAF PFCI, Laurie Lemek AIFD AAF PFCI, Renee Tucci AIFD AAF PFCI, Lisa Green AIFD AAF PFCI, Deb De La Flor AIFD PFCI, Gus De La Flor, Adam Havrilla AIFD AAF PFCI & Michelle Headrick AIFD PFCI sharing flower fellowship while waiting for Talmage’s program to begin.
Talmage McLaurin AIFD presenting at the All-Industry Session: 2023 Flower Trends Forecast
Talmage shared the inspirations behind six trends we’ll be seeing in 2023: Greenspace, Ephemeral, Utilitarian, Voluptuous, We Historic & Atmospheric
Jenny Thomasson AIFD AAF EMC PFCI, Adam Havrilla AIFD AAF PFCI & Deb De La Flor AIFD PFCI presenting Flower Trends Forecast 2023 In Action: Profitable, Trend Forward Designs
2022 Tommy Bright Award Winner: Sharon McGukin AIFD AAF PFCI
Jackie Lacey AIFD AAF PFCI accepted the Centurion Award along with Bob Tucker AIFD on behalf of the Florida State Florists Association
Sylvia Cup Winners:
Winner: Kelsey Thompson AIFD
1st Runner Up: Jenny Thomasson AIFD AAF EMC PFCI
2nd Runner Up: Sam Prom-Chiem AIFD
Inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF):
Carol Caggiano AIFD AAF PFCI
Adam Havrilla AIFD AAF PFCI
Sharon Ivey AIFD AAF PFCI
Renee Tucci AIFD AAF PFCI
Inducted into Professional Floral Communicators International (PFCI):
David Berger AIFD CEJ PFCI
Jacob McCall AIFD AAF PFCI FSMD
