Expecting Sellout, AIFD Urging Early Symposium Registration

Baltimore, MD – Expecting a sellout for its 2007 National Symposium, the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) is urging all interested parties to make their reservations now. Featuring the likes of celebrity wedding designers Preston Bailey and Sylvia Weinstock, European phenoms Life3 and Geert Pattyn, Korea’s top floral artist Kim Young Ju AIFD and more, this year’s program is generating lots of buzz and early registrations.

Taking place at the Desert Spring J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, Calif. from July 7-11, “The Edge of Paradise” will feature nearly 20 world-class floral design education programs as well as numerous networking events. Additionally, there are several exclusive special events taking place that are already near full enrollment.

This year’s Symposium offers several attractive registration options to floral professionals. AIFD stresses that registration to its Symposium is open to all floral industry and special events professionals – not just AIFD members. Reservations can now be made online at www.AIFD.org.

Considered the most dynamic of the floral industry’s design education programs, this year’s Symposium programs will cover topics ranging from secrets of America’s top wedding and special event luminaries to forecasting color and material trends to floral interior design to cutting edge techniques sweeping through Europe and Asia. The event is partially underwritten by several industry suppliers and organizations. Platinum Sponsors include Accent Décor, American Floral Industry Association, California Cut Flower Commission, and Teleflora. FTD, Garcia Group/Plus One Imports and Smithers Oasis have supported the event as Gold Sponsors.

In addition to the dynamic education program AIFD has in store, the Institute will also conduct its Accreditation Evaluation Session (AES) immediately prior to the Symposium. The AES provides AIFD a means of evaluating prospective members and in so doing granting them the coveted status of being Accredited In Floral Design and a member of AIFD.

Further information on AIFD’s Symposium and AES, including a full schedule of events, is available at www.aifd.org.

Schedule at a Glance

Monday, July 9
“The American Floral Trends Forecast™”
Featuring: Kim Morrill AIFD, J. Keith White AIFD, Talmage McLauren AIFD
& Charlie Groppetti AIFD

“Chic and Chilled Floral Couture”
Featuring: Geert Pattyn, Belgium

“Visualizing for Success”
Featuring: Cathy Brunk AIFD,
Coon Rapids, MN

“It’s My Party” Lunch & Learn Program
Featuring: Mike Sinanovic AIFD

“Tribute...A Celebration of Life!”
Featuring: Lynne Moss AIFD, Pratt, KS

“Exotic Impressions”
Featuring: Nitaya Emig AIFD, Tulsa, OK

“Holly Days”
Featuring: Holly Money Collins AIFD,
San Francisco, CA

Tuesday, July 10
Early Bird Session
“Wedding for Success”
Featuring: Kathy Whalen AIFD, Naples, FL

“Details for the Wedding”
Featuring: Maria McBride, Brides
Magazine

“Let Them Eat Cake”
Featuring: Sylvia Weinstock,
New York, NY

“The Ultimate Wedding”
Featuring: Preston Bailey, New York, NY

Who’s Wedding Is It Anyway? A Bridal Reception”Lunch & Learn
Featuring: Carol Caggiano AIFD, Jefferson, VA

“So...Whadda Ya Colors?”
Featuring: Randy Baehre AIFD, Ty Leslie AIFD, Carolyn Shepard AIFD, Charlotte, NC

“Architecturally Sculptured Floral Art -- Events for Success”
Featuring: Kevin Coble AIFD, Memphis, TN

“Let Flowers Soar”
Featuring: Cory Lonsert AIFD, Bellefountaine. OH

Intimate Cocktail Party with Preston Bailey

Wednesday, July 11
“Florals for the Home”
Featuring: René Van Rems AIFD, Vista, CA & Matt Wood AIFD, Alameda, CA

“The Journey”
Featuring: Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, Mission, BC, Paul Jaras AIFD, Calgary, AB, & Donald Yim AIFD, Richmond, BC

“Flowers with Seoul”
Featuring: Kim Young Ju AIFD, Seoul, Korea

“Hip Hyper and Happening”
Featuring: Life3 (Tomas de Bruyne of Belgium, Per Benjamin of Sweden, Max van de Sluis of Holland)

AIFD Steps to Membership
AIFD Foundation Presents “Learning with Life3”

SF Giftcenter & Jewelrymart 2007
APRIL 14 - 17 Children’s Wear Fall II Market
APRIL 23 - 28 Gem Week
MAY 12 Mother’s Day Sample Sale
JUNE 4 - 5 Giftcenter & Jewelrymart’s June Mini Market Days
JUNE 17 - 19 Children’s Wear Holiday Market
JULY 25 - 27 PreFair at the Giftcenter & Jewelrymart
JULY 28 - AUGUST 1
San Francisco International Gift Fair
(Held at the Giftcenter & Jewelrymart and Moscone Center)
AUGUST 18 - 21 Children’s Wear Holiday/ Cruise Market
SEPTEMBER 17 - 19 Children’s Wear Spring Open House
OCTOBER 20 - 23 Children’s Wear Spring/Summer Market
NOVEMBER 3 - 4 Holiday Sample Sale

PIA
APRIL 18
Sub-Irrigation & Root Health with Vicky Cate, Green House Nurseries, Arleta, CA
APRIL 19
Sub-Irrigation & Root Health with Vicky Cate, The Plant Stand, Costa Mesa, CA
MAY 10 - 12
Hospitality & Design Expo, Las Vegas, NV, www.hdexpo.com

Western Exhibitors Trade Show Dates:
JUN 2-5
PORTLAND GIFT & ACCESSORIES SHOW®, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR. For information, contact 415.346.6666 or www.portlandgift.com.
JUL 28 - AUG 1
SAN FRANSISCO IGF For more information, contact 415.346.6666 or www.seattlegift.com.
AUG 18-21
THE SEATTLE GIFT SHOW®, Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle, WA. For more information, contact 415.346.6666 or www.seattlegift.com.

WF&FSA Management Institute
AUGUST 16 - 18
Embassy Suites Hotel – Charlotte, NC
Make Your Reservations Today!
(704) 527-8400 -- $129 single/double

CALSCAPE EXPO 2007
SEPTEMBER 26 - 28
Riviera Resort Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
For registration info visit www.piagrows.org

WF&FSA Annual Convention & Floral EXPO
MARCH 5 - 8, 2008
Tampa Convention Center and Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
(813) 221-4900 -- $204 single/double

Teleflora Events Schedule in the Northwest
APRIL 10 - Seattle, WA.
Washington State Puget Sound Unit “Asian Fair” at Northwest Wholesale

MAY 15 - Seattle, WA.
Washington State Puget Sound Unit “Trends” at Lakes Union Wholsale

JUNE 24 - Boise, ID.
Idaho-Utah Unit “Designing Corporate Accounts” at DWF

NW AIFD is Giving Away a Symposium Registration!!!
Do you know someone who would benefit from attending the symposium but needs some financial assistance? The Northwest Regional AIFD Scholarship Award pays the Education Only registration fee for the AIFD National Symposium. The scholarship recipient is responsible for his/her transportation, food and lodging.

Application Eligibility:
Must be in the floral industry, be a non-AIFD designer and not a member of SAIFD. Only individuals who have not attended an AIFD National Symposium will be considered. Individuals already approved for AIFD induction will not be considered.

To obtain an application, e-mail a request to Sheri Miller at shmiller@cmc.net or ian@floristandgrower.com. Scholarship application must be completed and returned by April 30, 2007 to AIFD Scholarship Committee, c/o Sheri Miller, 17281 13th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177.

‘ARTFLOR’
Collaboration of the Art of Flowers & Photography

Floral Art/Photography Workshop with Hitomi Gilliam AIFD & Philippe Martin-Morice May 22, 23 & 24, 2007 - Minter Gardens, B.C., Canada

A new oeuvre, to study floral art through the camera - to learn to see through an extra set of eyes, and to capture the perfect shot - the perfect art. The final composition of this two part creative design process is the image captured to keep for a lifetime – an image of the tapestry of colors and textures shot at Minter Gardens in the Pacific Northwest. A special signature, a floral art designed especially for the camera, for your portfolio, website, poster, postcards and for posterity, as a permanent record of your creative accomplishment. To explore designing on location in a pristine botanical garden – to capture that vivid image of beauty showcased in nature. The final day is designated to create ‘Table Art’, challenging group projects which will provide wonderful photographic opportunities. An experience, never to be missed – join us for theworkshop of a lifetime.

For floral inquiry: phone Hitomi (604)855-2742 cell or e-mail:hitomi@hitomi-art.com. For photography inquiry: e-mail Philippe: philip@photo.ca