Focal Points: An AIFD Blog

President’s Message: A Season of Gratitude

President’s Message: A Season of Gratitude

By Laurie Lemek AIFD Dear Floral Readers, I cannot believe that it is already November.  For me, this time of year is a time for reflection and a time to count my many blessings. I try to practice daily “Gratitude”.  I am grateful for so…

HFNA 2024 Fresh Look Expo: Designing with Hawaii-Grown Flowers

HFNA 2024 Fresh Look Expo: Designing with Hawaii-Grown Flowers

By Nita Robertson AIFD The Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association (HFNA) successfully concluded its highly anticipated 2024 Fresh Look Expo in Hilo, Hawaii. Set against the lush backdrop of the islands, this immersive event highlighted the vibrant diversity of Hawaii’s native flora. The Expo began…

New Terminology From the AIFD Guide to Floral Design

By Janet Gallagher AIFD CFD The AIFD Education Committee is excited to provide concepts and examples of the terminology provided in the Third Edition of The AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques, & Traditions. Please see examples of two (2) of the principles below,…

How to Make an AIFD Award Nomination

How to Make an AIFD Award Nomination

By Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI A highlight of the American Institute of Floral Designers symposium each year is the presentation of awards. This important AIFD tradition allows the membership to honor outstanding AIFD members and industry associates whose efforts have created a greater awareness…

Remembering the AIFD Presidents of the 1960’s

Remembering the AIFD Presidents of the 1960’s

By Janet Black AIFD, 2024-2025 Historian With the exciting Designs of the Decades Floral Competition in full swing we must remember our AIFD Presidents of the 1960’s who were true visionaries.  From left to right; Arthur F. McKee AIFD    1965-1966 Arthur was involved in industry…

Gearing up for an Exciting Fall for the AIFD Southern Chapter

Gearing up for an Exciting Fall for the AIFD Southern Chapter

By Angelyn Tipton AIFD CFD GMF PFCI Exciting things are going on in Southern Chapter. We are gearing up for a busy fall. We are making exciting plans for endow the David Shover Fund by Symposium 2025. Please stay tuned for all of the design…

Message from the President: AIFD and ARC, a winning team

Message from the President: AIFD and ARC, a winning team

Greetings! What is more important than relationships? Especially within the AIFD family. I’d like to talk today a little about AIFD and how our relationship with our Partner/Management team ARC works.   This will hopefully shed some light on what scope of services ARC contractually…

Sustainabloom: Connecting the Floral Industry with Sustainability Through Comprehensive Research Guides, Expert Resources

Sustainabloom: Connecting the Floral Industry with Sustainability Through Comprehensive Research Guides, Expert Resources

For over six decades, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) has represented the floralcommunity, providing and sharing free resources to all segments, thanks to the generositydonors. As the industry’s leading charitable organization, AFE receives and invests donations,generating funding that advances floriculture through research, education, and specialprogramming.…

Speechless 2024 – A deeper look into North Carolina State Florist Association’s recent event

Speechless 2024 – A deeper look into North Carolina State Florist Association’s recent event

Reflection by Teresa Godfrey AIFD, CFD, EMC, CEJPhoto Credits: Walters & Walters, Raliegh, NC We go to them a lot, right.  Sitting theatre style in the auditorium or ballroom or warehouse with the speaker on stage in front, wowing us with their floral artistry.  It’s…

AIFD National Board June Meeting Highlights

AIFD National Board June Meeting Highlights

In June, the AIFD National Board held its recent board meeting at the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort in Orlando Florida.  This annual meeting is held in conjunction with the AIFD Symposium. With so many facets of AIFD to be worked on, we are…