BALTIMORE – Floral designers from across the world will take a “Journey” like never before to the “Mile High City” for the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) National Symposium “Journey” taking place in Denver, Colo., June 30-July 4, 2015.
“Every floral designer’s journey is different and that’s the beauty of coming together each year and sharing techniques, best practices and inspiring ideas” said Marie Ackerman AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AAF, who is coordinator of the spectacular event for AIFD. “What happens at Symposium is meant to provide floral design artists with new and exciting ideas to take home so they can enhance their talent and provide better floral design art for their customers” she exclaimed.
“Journey” is a five day event that will feature high-level stage presentations from never before seen international talent and emerging designers from the USA. The AIFD Symposium also includes a welcome reception, two lunches, two celebratory dinners, a student competition and a half-day expo of floral industry suppliers. Also this year, AIFD is celebrating 50 years as an organization – an amazing feat for any organization today – but a particular triumph for a group of creative minds that first met in Southern California in very modest surroundings. All activities will take place in the exciting Sheraton Denver Downtown.
New this year, Symposium will kick off with the inaugural Hands-On Classes. These classes will be taught by four of AIFD’s brightest instructors – Kevin Ylvisaker AIFD, CFD, PFCI teaching "Line Design," Sharon McGukin AIFD, CFD, PFCI teaching "Cascading Wedding Bouquets," Randy Wooten AIFD, CFD, PFCI teaching "Sympathy Designs" and the UK’s Wendy Andrade AIFD, CFD teaching "Modern Wire Jewelry." These classes are made possible by support from Accent Décor, CalFlowers, Smithers Oasis, and Syndicate Sales.
In addition to the elaborate design programs and decor, the AIFD Symposium is a time when aspiring designers, endeavoring to achieve AIFD’s Certified Floral Designer (CFD®) designation and ultimately an invitation to become an accredited member of AIFD, will participate in the AIFD Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE). The PFDE will take place on June 29.
Helping to make the Symposium spectacular are a team of AIFD Elite Partners who contribute significant products and financial support. These include Diamond Elite Partners: Accent Décor, CalFlowers, FloraMart, Garcia Group and Smithers Oasis.; Platinum Elite Partners: Bloomnet, Design Master, FTD, Syndicate Sales and Teleflora; Gold Elite
Partners: DWF Wholesale Flowers, The Elite Bouquet, Green Point Nursery-Hawaiian Tropical Flower Council, Mayesh Flower Distributors and The Queen’s Flowers.; Silver Elite Partners: Connie Duglin Linens, flowerbuyer.com, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, Natural Decorations, Inc. and UCI – Unlimited Containers Inc. and; Bronze Elite Partners: AIFD South Central Chapter and the Floral Design Institute.
Full details and registration information including hotel reservation recommendations are available online at
http://aifd.org/upcoming-events/2015-symposium/. Registration to attend the Symposium is open to all floral designers and early registration is encouraged.
###
About the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)
The mission of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) is to advance the art of professional floral design through education, service and leadership, and to recognize the achievement of excellence in this art form. Established in 1965 AIFD is, today, the floral industry's leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design. AIFD and its accredited members are in the forefront of the industry in presenting educational design programs and in designing flowers for events worldwide. Find more information at www.aifd.org.
Source: American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)
