Bloomnet Floriology Institute Announces 2013 Design Course Schedule

The BloomNet Floriology Institute, located in Jacksonville, Florida, has announced its schedule of design courses for 2013. Courses commence January 20, 2013 and continue through October. BloomNet is a leading floral industry business service provider and one-stop destination for innovative products and best-in-class services. Floriology Institute is an industry accredited floral education center and an AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) Pathway Provider.

The Floriology Institute offers an extensive range of courses, electives and forums featuring hands-on sessions and in-depth lectures to reinforce and expand the floral design skills of retail florists as well as enhance their business practices and provide insights for operating their shops more profitably. Instructors at the Floriology Institute include award winning floral designers and highly experienced floral industry business professionals.

In addition to the popular "5-Day Principles & Elements of Design" course that kicks off Floriology Institute's 2013 schedule on January 20, three new design courses have been added to the curriculum. The "5-Day Sympathy of Today" course, with instructor Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, begins on March 10 and offers the latest design techniques and tips for creating the kinds of sympathy arrangements today's consumers are seeking. The course also includes valuable insights about how retail florists can grow their sympathy business overall.

Also new for 2013 at the Floriology Institute is the "3-Day Modern Twist on Everyday Design" course with instructor Donald Yim, AIFD, CPFD. This course begins on April 7 and offers trend-forward ideas for creating everyday floral designs that boast uniquely new and innovative design elements and looks…generating new opportunities for florists to increase their sales. The 2013 course schedule at Floriology Institute also includes the "5-Day Competition/Certification and Portfolio Skills" course, beginning on May 19 with instructor Jackie Lacey. This course offers a broad spectrum of techniques, tips, strategies and imaginative ideas floral designers can utilize to enhance their competitive design skills as well as gain industry certification and create a powerful photography portfolio to showcase their work.

"Staying ahead of continually changing floral design trends is vital to the success of retail florists," said Mark Nance, AAF, President of BloomNet. "Through diverse courses focusing on cutting-edge design techniques along with strategies for implementing those techniques most effectively in today's retail marketplace, Floriology Institute can help florists gain a competitive edge that can result in stronger profit potential for their businesses."

The 2013 Floriology Institute Design Course schedule is as follows:

January 20-24, 2013
5-Day Principles & Elements of Design
Instructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI

March 10-14, 2013
5-Day Sympathy of Today
Instructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI

April 7-9, 2013
3-Day Modern Twist on Everyday Design
Instructor: Donald Yim, AIFD, CPFD

May 19-23, 2013
5-Day Competition/Certification and Portfolio Skills
Instructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI

Floriology Institute offers both 3-day and 5-day design courses and is available to anyone in the floral industry. BloomNet Florists in good standing receive preferred pricing as well as flexible monthly clearinghouse payment options. All returning students receive a 25% off discount. Scholarships to attend courses at Floriology Institute are available through select state associations.

To register for 2013 courses at the Floriology Institute and for more information, visit www.mybloomnet.net/floriologyinstitute.html or call Nicole Gandini, Industry Relations & Education Manager (516) 237-7973.

About Floriology Institute

As the premier, industry accredited floral education center, Floriology Institute is dedicated to building a foundation for excellence, supporting best practices and enabling innovative approaches in floral design and retail business practices that empower florists to reach their full potential and allow their customers to recapture the joy and expression of the language of flowers. The Floriology Institute is located in Jacksonville, Florida and it offers an extensive and diverse range of education courses to support florist needs.

About BloomNet®

BloomNet® (www.mybloomnet.net or 1-800-BloomNet) is an international wire service and a world class business solutions provider offering quality products and diverse services to a select network of professional retail Florists who utilize BloomNet's resources to grow their businesses profitably. Professional Florists who are part of the BloomNet network can take advantage of several key benefits including the highest published rebate in the industry with the easiest rebate qualifications, tiered membership costs, state-of-the-art technology solutions, and a complete suite of value-added products and services. BloomNet has established and maintains the industry's most stringent business standards for participating Florists. BloomNet, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

Source: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.