This year, the AIFD Foundation is thrilled to sponsor the main stage program “Flower Farmer” presented by Charlie Groppetti AIFD during the AIFD® Symposium. In 2022, Charlie received the AIFD® Award of Design Influence during AIFD® Symposium in Las Vegas. He is the creative mind behind Porch View Home, a home and garden lifestyle brand. With nearly twenty years of experience as a retail florist, before growing flowers on his farm in Arkansas and developing a well-known brand, Charlie’s botanical designs and unique style will inspire the “Flower Farmer” in you.
In addition to this main stage program, you will see the AIFD Foundation participating in AIFD® Symposium in numerous ways. When you visit the GROW Gallery, you will find three fun ways to offer support. First, you can bid on an item during the GROW Auction on July 2nd and 3rd. Secondly, the unique props, showcased on the main stage will fill the perimeter and be available for purchase July 3rd, 4th and 5th. Centered in the GROW Gallery, you will find the Body Flower Boutique with all needed to create your own couture blossoms for the two evening events!
The GROW auction is always a treasure trove of unique items that will help you flourish, broaden your horizons, and expand your well-being as you GROW! View the silent auction in person or virtually to emerge with that something special. All proceeds from the auction benefit the AIFD Foundation. If you would like to graciously donate an item to be auctioned, you may ship it in advance, by June 15th, to:
Keith Harbison AIFD
13672 Cambridge Drive
Lemont, IL 60439
Before shipping, or if you plan to bring your item to Chicago, it would be most helpful if you would take a picture of the item in front of a simple background and email the picture, a description, the value and suggested opening bid to aifdfoundation@gmail.com. This will expedite the auction process. If you decide to bring your item to AIFD® Symposium, please bring it to the GROW Gallery upon your arrival.
Often, when sitting in the audience watching the main stage programs, you will have an opportunity to appreciate the amazingly detailed work of one of the large-scale designs and wonder, “What happens to that after AIFD® Symposium”? Well, many times those items are gifts to the AIFD Foundation so that they may be purchased and enjoyed by other florists. If you would like to purchase one of the unique creations showcased during AIFD® Symposium, visit The GROW Gallery at the close of the program. These designs will fill the perimeter of the space just waiting to be seen, photographed, and purchased!
Prior to the Awards & Induction celebration, you will want to get your flowers-to-wear ready for the events at the all-new Body Flower Boutique. Fresh flowers, trinkets, and designs created by the SAIFD students will be available to purchase, with proceeds to benefit students in a number of ways through the AIFD Foundation SAIFD Fund.
For the last couple of AIFD® Symposia, everyone has enjoyed playing the Hands & Heart Game. Last year’s winner, Sandra Zaragoza, fought a hard battle to win a Premium Registration to attend the 2023 AIFD® Symposium. Will you be this year’s winner? All you have to do is donate $20 to the AIFD Foundation in exchange for a trinket that will get you in the game. Then, just before the final program, everyone who donated will play the Hands & Heart Game! First Prize is a Premium Registration to attend the 2024 AIFD® Symposium in Orlando, valued close to $1,000!! In addition, a $100 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to each of the Top Five!
During the AIFD® Symposium, you will be inspired by the many bold designs, sophisticated color combinations, and brilliant blooms. You will also have opportunities to learn from world-renowned floral minds during hands-on classes. “The World of Color According to Per Benjamin Intensive Workshop”, on July 5, will be an amazing chance to learn, and then practice Per’s ideas on color theory while creating a sustainable design. “Botanical Fashion” with world-renowned Elly Lin will be a World-Class Design Experience that will allow you to imagine the emotion of plants and inspire growth with new techniques for bridal bouquets and arrangements. Registration is open for both of these exciting chances to GROW your creative skills.
Finally, during AIFD® Symposium, the regional chapter winners of the Friends of the Foundation competition will be announced on July 5th. There is still time for you to support the long-term stability and continuation of the AIFD Foundation by becoming a Friend with a one-time, annual, or monthly recurring donation. Not only are you supporting the AIFD Foundation with these gifts, but your region has two opportunities to win a $1,000 educational grant from the AIFD Foundation. The region with the most people participating will win one grant. The region with the most dollars donated, will also win a grant. Donate now to Become a Friend and help your region win! With so many wonderful opportunities to GROW, this year’s AIFD® Symposium is sure to be an event to remember. Be sure to attend Awards Night to celebrate the accomplishments of many and all that AIFD Foundation is awarding to make a difference!
