By Vonda LaFever AIFD, 2026 National Symposium Coordinator
Where do you get your inspiration? Really think about that for a moment.
Is it a quiet walk outside, surrounded by the textures and rhythms of nature?
Is it the lines and light of a beautiful building on your travels? Maybe it’s losing yourself in a museum, studying other art forms… Or, in today’s world, is it a late-night scroll through social media, saving post after post “for later”?
Inspiration is essential to what we do as floral artists—yet it’s often the first thing to get pushed aside in our very busy, very real day-to-day lives. Orders, staffing, emails, weddings, events, family, community… it doesn’t leave much room for creative renewal unless we intentionally make space for it.
But when we do set aside time purely for inspiration, something powerful happens. Our energy shifts. Our enthusiasm returns. We see color, form, and mechanics in a new way. We stretch. We grow. We remember why we fell in love with this art form in the first place.
I can tell you one place where inspiration is guaranteed:
AIFD National Symposium “Elevate “July 2–6 Orlando, Florida
At Symposium, you will be inspired by what you see and who you see.
There is nothing quite like surrounding yourself with people who get it. People who share your love of flowers, design, and floral art not just as a hobby, but as a profession and a calling. You’ll be among your floral family: designers, educators, students, mentors, and friends who understand the beauty and the challenges of this industry.
During “Elevate” in Orlando, you can expect:
- Main stage programs that push creative boundaries and celebrate floral art in all its forms.
- Hands-on opportunities to get your fingers in the flowers, experiment with new techniques, and gain skills you can take straight back to your studio or store.
- Fresh perspectives from designers who approach mechanics, color, structure, and storytelling in new and exciting ways.
- Connection and community—the kind that refills your creative well just by being in the room.
You won’t just be watching inspiration. You’ll be actively participating in it.
When we intentionally devote time to being inspired, we elevate ourselves to new levels—personally, creatively, and professionally.
That elevation doesn’t stop with us.
When we return home, renewed and energized, we naturally share:
Inspiration is contagious. Your growth sparks growth in others. That’s the heart of “Elevate. Elevating ourselves so we can elevate the people and communities we serve.
So mark your calendar, block the dates, arrange the coverage—whatever it takes to carve out this time for you: July 2–6, 2026 – Orlando, Florida
We can’t wait to see you in Orlando and elevate together.
