In just a blink, we’ve already crossed the halfway mark of my term as your National President.
These last six months, I have been working diligently behind the scenes, meeting with committees, working with task forces and helping to prepare the upcoming leaders in our organization. As you are all aware of, we are in the process of transitioning to a new Management company. I can report that the search by our task force, led by Tim Farrell AIFD, has taken an extreme amount of effort, but we were up to the task! The subsequent review by our National Board has been successful and we are in very good shape for the next steps. You will be hearing more details very soon.
In addition to the work that I’ve been doing with your fellow members, I’ve also been keeping tabs on what’s happening in our regions. Here are a few highlights that I’m excited about:
The North East Chapter will be bringing their exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show to life, co-chaired by Ron Mulray AIFD and new inductee Heather Towne AIFD. The show will be open March 4-12 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Their exhibit, entitled IMMERSED, is going to be a gallery style display around the topic of color. We’ll also see members Bill Schaffer AIFD & Kristine Kratt AIFD, create their 17th show exhibit: EYE CANDY. Schaffer Designs never disappoints with their electric displays, and the talent that they bring in from our members all over the world. In addition to being a lead designer on the North East exhibit, Valerie McLaughlin AIFD will be submitting compositions in creative classes. Best of luck to all of our members, in their pursuit to touch the public, and maybe bring home a ribbon!
The Southern Chapter has just finished up their world class event: Gather. The weekend, taking place at Davis Wholesale in Birmingham Alabama, held hands-on workshops, a PFDE mock test, a student competition, business sessions, main stage design programs, an Iron Florist showdown, and a field trip to tour Prophouse with Mandy Majerick AIFD. So many members were involved in making this event a success, but I want to highlight the special efforts of chairperson Aisha Crivens AIFD, and Southern Board Members Jody McLeod AIFD, Angelyn Tipton AIFD, Robyn Arnold AIFD and J Ross Riley AIFD.
The South Central Chapter is bringing a weekend of Designing with the Queen to Bill Doran Wholesale in Houston TX, March 18th and 19th. The event will kick off with the beloved Frankie Shelton Cup contest, followed by design programs fit for royalty, a hands-on workshop lead by last years cup winner Nicola Parker AIFD, and a friendly competition between the event attendees to see who is wearing the best fascinator or hat “Fit for a Queen”.
The South West Chapter has just wrapped up a successful design contest featuring garden roses from Alexandra Farms. Congratulations to the winners Whitey Belandres, Melinda Lynch AIFD & Amy Morris.
The Northwest Chapter is partnering with Teleflora to bring Boise in Bloom March 11th and 12th to Boise, Idaho. Tim Farrell AIFD will be the main stage designer and workshop lead for this event, and I’m looking forward to attending to see what our chairperson Mike Hollenbeck AIFD and our Northwest members are up to.
Last, but certainly not least, The North Central chapter is gearing up to host our GROW Symposium in Chicago IL, July 1st-6th. Building from our ROOTS, GROW will bring us so much world-class educational content, exclusive hands-on workshop opportunities, and our favorite networking events of the year. Find all the Symposium info HERE
Todd Sweeden AIFD CFD AMF
2022-2023 AIFD National President
