Happy New Year to all! We as Southern Chapter hope you had a chance to get a little rest before Valentine’s Day arrives. Now is the time to double check that inventory and make sure you are as prepared as you can be for this quickly approaching holiday.
As we look forward for the rest of the year, we would like to share a few things happening.
Reflections 2025 Symposium in Palm Springs, California. July 12-15 Registration is open. Please follow this link to register.
https://s2.goeshow.com/aifd/symposium/2025/registration_form.cfm
We look forward to seeing you there and don’t forget to come to the members meeting, date, time, and location will be coming soon.
Register for Gather! 2025
Speaking of Gather!, have you registered yet? The 2025 event is shaping up to be unforgettable. Join us in Hardinsburg, KY, from March 7-9, 2025, and get inspired by an amazing lineup of presenters, including:
- Carolyn Minutillo AIFD, EMC, PFCI: Let’s Spill the Tea
- Ralph Girodano AIFD, FSMD, PFCI: Petals to Profits
- Benjamin Lee AIFD, CFD, KMF, PFCI: Signature Style
- Bob Tucker AIFD, CFD, CEJ, FSMD: Wedding Magic
Hands on Sessions :
- Linda K Spear AIFD, CFD Let’s Get Wired
- Laurie Lemek AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AAF Who Knew It’s Felt and Glue
- Marcela Lopez-Vallejo: Shoulder Corsage Mastery: Creative Floral Techniques
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn and network with some of the industry’s best!
There will also be a Mock PFDE offered at Gather. Additional registration fee is required and space is limited.
Register here:
PFDE Mentorship Program
We are also excited to announce that the PFDE Mentorship Program will benefit the David Shover Fund. Registration is SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone who participated, and we are looking forward to working with you over the next few months.
Rose Parade Spotlight:
This is widely considered the kickoff of the new year and also referred to as the war of the roses. According to Roseparade.com there are 953 active member volunteer members, 80 ,000 volunteer hours, and has 31 operating committees! That doesn’t include the number of volunteers or hours it takes to build one of these floral masterpieces. Several of Southern Chapter members participated in this years parade.
J. G. Henderson CFD, FSMD This is JG’s second opportunity to work with Phoenix Decorating Company. JG had the opportunity to put his design skills into action. He worked on numerous floats. Of those he worked on, these won awards:
Elks Lodge “ Cherished Memories” Americana The Americana Award recognizes the float for it’s outstanding representation of national traditions and treasures.
City of Alhambra Mayor Award. The most outstanding float from a participating city.
Rotary. Tournament Volunteer. Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length.
JG will be inducted this year into AIFD, we look forward to welcoming him into Southern Chapter.
Also, working at the Rose Parade with Artistic Entertainment Services was Michael Gaddie AIFD. Michael is an 11-year veteran of the parade. Some of the award-winning floats he worked with were:
Pasadena Humane& Hill’s Pet Nutrition which won the Theme Award
The UPS Store won the Judges Award: Most outstanding floral float design and dramatic impact.
Bobby Eldridge AIFD also worked with Michael at Artistic Entertainment Services. He is also a veteran of the parade. Congratulations to all.
