By Janet Black AIFD
The American Institute of Floral Designers was a major sponsor for the Tropical Plant and International Expo this year. Growers, wholesalers, landscapers, florists and plant enthusiasts from around the world converged at the Ft Lauderdale Convention Center. For three days, January 22-24, 2025, we were doing business, networking and encouraging one another. That’s what associations and trade shows are all about!
Over the last twenty-five years AIFD has evolved! Our beginnings started with Ralph Null AIFD decorating the lobby area. Then to a small table upselling plants during a lunch hour. Tom Simmons AIFD invested in a small booth with his lap top computer. He provided pictures of some of our symposiums in hopes to connect with FFA students, with an interest in floral design. Now, the show has come to life, with, 1,000 exhibit spaces, 7,400 registrants and 3,900 registered buyers. AIFD not only produced shows throughout the week but had a large 10×20 booth. We featured AIFD banners in English and Spanish. Our show stopper “Flora” the Floral Mannequin, was certainly the crowd pleaser.
Wednesday’s opening first program on the Create Theater stage, featured Adam Havrilla AIFD. Bloom and Leaf Harmonizing Fresh Cuts with plants. The program was a resounding success. Many thanks to our Industry Partner The Elite Flower for sponsoring Adam. Adam is an extraordinary presenter and had the attendees extremely engaged, elaborating on the importance of color, one of our elements of design.
Angelyn Tipton AIFD was sponsored by Napco Imports located in Jacksonville, FL. The program brought us back to our Trendy Roots. Angelyn’s roots evolved with a grandmother that had the vision to start a flower shop and grew from generation to generation. Angelyn demonstrated new styles in the trendy Napco containers and how a few extra elements can make plants stand out to our customers.
Terry Godfrey AIFD rounded out the Wednesday programs. Evolving Textures Hot and Trending. A labor of love with the weaving techniques that were demonstrated. Tatami within the design, elevated an additional dimension to plants. Terry’s program was sponsored by AIFD Marketing Committee.
Ace Berry AIFD traveled from snow covered Texas to demonstrate; Foraging, the New Trend That’s Inspiring and Innovative. We so appreciate, Kelly Mace CFD and our Industry Partner Smithers Oasis for sponsoring Ace. Their new foam and recycled containers were shared with the audience. A mixture of natural earthy textures felt like we were walking through the woods.
Additional seventeen show sponsors included; Accent Décor, Full Pot, JetFresh, Continental Floral Greens, Florida Catus, Greendale Nursery, Russell’s Bromeliads, JayScotts, Fitz Designs, Ball Seed, Botanical Wholesale, Costa Farms, Florida Fern, Mossman, Silver Vase, Syndicate Sales and Grants Bromeliads.
Many thanks to the additional members of the team this year; Eileen Cheng AIFD, Delia Chen AIFD, Aljandro Figerara Fernandes AIFD, Pilar Gonzelez AIFD, Samuel Fernandes CFD, Jennifer Anderson and William Huber.
