American Floral Endowment’s Young Professionals Council Celebrates 10 Years
August 21, 2025 | 2 min to read
This year, the Young Professionals Council (YPC) celebrates its ten-year anniversary, having connected and empowered emerging leaders in the floral industry since 2015. Through a special highlight video, members share their love for YPC’s welcoming community and its role in fostering professional development and lasting friendships. Events in Columbus and New Orleans marked the milestone, showcasing YPC’s commitment to growth and support. With over 110 members, YPC continues to offer valuable opportunities for young professionals aged 18 to 35.
This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the Young Professionals Council (YPC), founded in 2015 to connect, inspire, and empower the next generation of leaders in the floral industry. For a decade, YPC has provided opportunities where emerging professionals can build skills, expand networks, volunteer, and find encouragement from peers who share their passion for the industry.
To honor this milestone, a special 10-year anniversary highlight video features YPC members sharing why they love being part of the council. Their reflections capture the true spirit of YPC: a welcoming community, a place to learn from one another, a resource hub for professional development, and a network that turns professional connections into lasting friendships.
From gaining confidence through leadership and volunteer opportunities to feeling supported in career transitions, the experiences of our Young Professional Members showcase the personal and professional impact the council – now at over 110 members – has made over the years.
YPC members celebrated the 10-year milestone with two in-person events this summer. On Sunday, July 13, members gathered for a networking lunch during Cultivate in Columbus, Ohio. Then, on Thursday, July 31, members met again in New Orleans during ASHS. This event not only hosted a networking lunch, but also had a volunteer opportunity for YPC members to serve as ambassadors of AFE during the conference’s Career Fair, which is supported through one of AFE’s educational grants.
YPC offers opportunities that go beyond in-person events. Members have opportunities to moderate webinars, serve as mentors, further their public speaking skills, participate as scholarship reviewers, submit their work through guest writing for our communications, and more.
Additionally, there’s a growing library of webinars focused on professional development, career resources, and additional funding opportunities for both students and industry members. The YPC is a launchpad for personal growth and a path to strengthen the industry pipeline of future leaders.
As we celebrate this 10-year mark, we also look forward to the next decade and will continue to expand on our resources for industry young professionals across all segments. Membership is free for professionals aged 18 to 35. Here’s to ten years of shared successes and to all the inspiring stories yet to come. Learn more and join at endowment.org/ypc.