AIFD® Members Win at Arkansas Florist Association’s Annual Convention

Arkansas Florist Association held its 67^th annual convention September 6 – 8, 2019 in Little Rock, AR. The association is home to numerous design competitions, from entry level to advanced. The most prestigious is the 13^th Annual Mid America Cup Invitational Competition.

This year, twenty-seven designers, including many AIFD® members, from the United States, Canada, and Mexico competed for the title with prizes including a gorgeous trophy, $1500 cash, a Teleflora design academy scholarship and $500 to enter the Sylvia Cup competition. Each contestant was given the same fresh product, containers and supplies with three hours to complete four designs. One was a head piece with a modern day take on a fascinator. Another, an arrangement  for an art school opening in New York. They also had to complete a sympathy design focusing on a cremation service for a man who loved bright colors, modern art, and architecture. The final piece was a bridal bouquet for a non-traditional bride.  

Kelsey Thompson AIFD, of Iowa, placed first in the head piece category. Jenna Naylor AIFD, from Georgia, placed first in the sympathy and arrangement categories. Lesleighan Cravens AIFD, from Missouri, placed first in Bridal Bouquet.

The overall winners were: Jenna Naylor AIFD, representing Georgia Designer of the Year. Second place went to Kelsey Thompson AIFD, representing Iowa. And the third place finisher was Ace Berry AIFD, PFCI representing Texas Designer of the Year.

In addition to the Mid America Cup, The Arkansas Cup Designer of the year had 11 competitors all aiming for the first place prize. Alison Hobson AIFD, took home the trophy. Alan Masters AIFD of La Porte, TX was named the second place finisher and Jay Morris, of Jay Morris, Bennett’s Flowers of Jonesboro, AR, was the overall 3^rd place finisher

Lea Romanowski AIFD, CAFA of Calgary Alberta, Canada was the winner of the 2^nd annual Nick Schembra AIFD Memorial Iron Designer Competition. The Arkansas Florist Association’s entry level contest is the Scholarship Design Competition. London Crisler won first place and will advance to the Arkansas Cup Designer of the year competition in 2020.

Friday night dinner was a sear-sucker social, everyone was encouraged to wear either a fascinator or bowtie of their own design. Shayai Lucero, Earth and Sky Floral Designs located on the Pueblo of Laguna reservation in New Mexico, was the winner for fascinator. Scott Brents CFD, Fairy Tale Floral in North Little Rock, AR, was the bowtie winner.

The sponsorship and donations from Teleflora, Southern Wholesale Florist in Little Rock, AR, Smithers Oasis, Syndicate Sales and Floriology Institute make the competitions and prizes possible. If you are interesting in entering any of these competitions next year, email Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD, AMF at kay@expressionsflowers or 479-783-3210.