The Illinois State Florists Association celebrated its 120th year by hosting an Immersive Design Retreat at Walkers Bluff Winery in southern Illinois. Our panel of design educators included Donald Yim AIFD, Robert Koene, Kelsey Thompson AIFD, Derek Woodruff AIFD, Sarah LoBue AIFD, Doug Bates AIFD…

Blevior began its journey in 2010 when Jaclyn Haun started selling flowers in her hometown of 300 people.  As a high school student, Jaclyn did prom corsages for six different schools by the time she graduated high school. While Jaclyn pursued her Bachelors of Horticulture…

Seasons and occasions remind us to live in joy and gratitude, and this inspiration fuels my love for what I do. I am Nicole, the Owner and Lead Eventscape Designer and Florist of Simple Bliss Designs. With over 25 years of experience in the events…

The American Institute of Floral Designers® (AIFD®) is proud to announce that Michelle Aldentaler has been awarded the prestigious Inspire and Empower Scholarship, recognizing her outstanding dedication and enthusiasm for advancing the art of floral artistry. This esteemed scholarship, awarded annually by the AIFD® National…

Dear AIFD Family, Today, as I reflect on today’s homily message, I realized that the message of honor and unity which our minister spoke about is so important in every culture and every community.  As members of this distinguished and amazing organization, we understand the…

As we continue to grow and thrive as a community of passionate floral designers, we’re excited to share some updates, opportunities, and upcoming events with you. From scholarship opportunities to educational events like Gather 2025, there’s something for every designer looking to elevate their craft…

By Brent Leech AIFD I had the privilege of being asked to help coordinate the floral design competition for the Arizona State FFA spring conference at the University of Arizona, Tucson. There were more than 100 FFA students who designed a fresh oval design and…

By Corrine Heck, CEO & Founder of Details Flowers Software As the founder of Details Flowers Software, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of florists—from boutique studios to large-scale operations. One thing is clear: success in floristry isn’t just about talent, personality, or…

Dear AIFD Members, I am excited to share an important initiative that will shape the future of our organization and the floral design industry. As we continue to uphold our mission to “advance the art of professional floral design through education, service and leadership and…

By Kay Schlaefli AIFD, CFD, AMF When I was assigned the task of writing about SCAIFD history, I knew immediately that I would write about Bill Plummer AIFD. The South Central Chapter is home to many talented mentors- Frankie Shelton AIFD, Buddy Benz AIFD, the one…