2020 Additional Featured Programs

Thursday, July 2

Expand and Express “YOUR” Creativity – Better Business Session *Open to everyone
Presented by Tomas De Bruyne EMC and Christy Lopez AIFD, CFD, EMC
Sponsored by: Diamond Elite Partner Accent Decor and Silver Elite Partner Alexandra Farms
Liberate your creative mind and catch the potential of everything around you. Learn how to find the magic within yourself. Develop your signature style that differentiates you from your colleagues. Our ideas are what shape and form us. Join us for a presentation that will stimulate your senses and give you the tools to expand your thinking and bring your expressions new life.
  

 

GO LIVE – Better Business Session *Open to everyone
Presented by Donald Yim AIFD, CFD, PFCI and Renato Cruz Sogueco, AAF, PFCI
Sponsored by: Diamond Elite Partner Floriology powered by Bloomnet
Learn to leverage the right social media and incorporate best practices on how to broadcast your brand with Renato and Donald. Discover tips and tricks on how to properly prepare, film, and edit your videos, develop a YouTube channel and share with the world using Facebook and Instagram Live feeds. This interactive session will also explore what gadgets you’ll need, how to angle these shots, potential viral topics, and how to keep it all in focus.

 

 

The Art of Sequencing – Understanding Fibonacci – Better Business Session *Open to everyone
Presented by Leopoldo Gomez and Cindy Pham AIFD, CFD
Sponsored by Diamond Elite Partner FloraMart, Gold Elite Partners Green Point Nurseries and Hawaiian Tropical Flower Council and Silver Elite Partner Sun Valley
Enhance your creativity and artistic vision by developing a more complete comprehension of the Fibonacci Sequence. Explore the importance in application of this concept for the guidelines of proportions and ratios in size, scale, space and color in floral design, as well as its relevance and connection to other industries pertaining to design and aesthetics, such as architecture, fine arts, and especially in nature.
        

 

Creative Edge 4.0+
Presented by Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, CFD
Sponsored by Gold Elite Partners Green Point Nurseries and Hawaiian Tropical Flower Council
Elements and principles of design are the universal language of the arts. The PFDE evaluation process exercises this essential core knowledge, proving that an intimate understanding of these not only provides an insight to the design process, but also serves as the inspiration for creativity. The Elements and Principles provide endless options for elevating your design concept and design skills, and add the finesse you are looking for, pushing and driving your Creative Edge! This program will provide you the steps to elevate your artistry and creativity to 4.0+ and you owe it to yourself to explore the path to your Design Excellence 5.0.
   

Friday, July 3

AIFD® Steps to Membership
Learn the steps to earning an acclaimed professional designation as a CFD® (Certified Floral Designer®) or as an Accredited Member of AIFD®.

 

Inspirational Insights Featuring AIFD® Young Professionals
Presented by Sandy Schroeck AIFD, CFD, PFCI and Deborah De La Flor AIFD, CFD, PFCI
With Support From: Bronze Elite Partner Unlimited Containers, Inc.
Peer into the insights and inspiration of Sandy and Deborah for AIFD’s 2020 Vision Symposium, featuring the design talents of nine AIFD® Young Professionals. They will be exhibiting the creative possibilities in floral design and exploring what inspired these industry rising stars.

Saturday, July 4

Step Up Socially – Better Business Session *Open to everyone
Presented by Gina Thresher AIFD, CFD, EMC and Anahit Hakobyan AIFD, CFD, EMC
Get ahead of the game and make your social media fun! Enjoy a lively discussion on the dos and don’ts of social media while learning how to post with intention and discover what resources are available.

 

 

Sunday, July 5

“Do you have the VISION?” – Better Business Session *Open to everyone
Presented by Corrine Heck
Sponsored by Bronze Elite Partner Details Flower Software
Feeling left out of the wild and wonderful world of software technology? Perhaps you’ve started to explore some options but you are just not sure how to integrate the old and the new? Details Flower Software’s CEO, Corrine Heck, presents the BEST practices for integrating your business and floral design software – so you can do more and earn more.

 

Steps to the Stage
Presented by Tim Farrell AIFD, CFD, AAF, PFCI
Take the fear out of the AIFD® Main Stage by attending a step-by-step program that reveals the most important details you’ll need to consider if you anticipate submitting a program for the AIFD® Symposium. Tim will share tips on preparing your proposal, working with the production company, staging your program and many more details that will help you take the fear out of the process and have you stepping into center stage.

 

Monday, July 6

AIFD® Bobbi Cup Competition 2020 – “It’s a Beautiful Day in Chicago”
With Support From: Premier Elite Partner Smithers-Oasis, Diamond Elite Partner Design Master color tool, inc. and Silver Elite Partner Kennicott Brothers
Founded in 2012 by the AIFD® North Central Chapter, the Bobbi Cup will rise to a new level, allowing AIFD® members from each region and international chapters to participate. Join AIFD® as nine AIFD® members compete in a live design competition to honor industry icon Bobbi Ecker Blatchford AIFD, CFD, AAF, PFCI. AIFD® is inspired by her famous words “It’s a beautiful day in Chicago” and through the inspiration of these words, designers will capture the mood created by the city of Chicago, honoring both Bobbi and her passion for the floral industry.
      

 

 

Friday, July 3

AIFD Silent Auction: A Kaleidoscope of Experiences
You are invited to stop by and view an abundance of items and circle a bid in support of education! Net proceeds to benefit the AIFD Foundation. AIFD® Silent Auction will close for the day at 4:00 p.m. All closed out items will need to be paid for and picked up from the Silent Auction area by 4:45 p.m.

Saturday, July 4

Experience the 4th with Flowers, Friends & Fireworks
Meet 2019 FTD World Cup Champion Bart Hassam. Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks, friends, wine and hors d’oeuvres at the home of Katie and Red Kennicott. Limited registration is available.
**Separate Registration Required.

Monday, July 6

Final Main Stage Design Prop Sale
50% of net proceeds to benefit the AIFD Foundation
Throughout AIFD® Symposium, the AIFD Foundation will offer, for sale, donated designer props from participating main stage programs. Any props, unsold at this time, will be available to view in the Flower Room for immediate sale. Take this opportunity to add to your collection!

Tuesday, July 7

World Class Design Experience
2019 FTD World Cup Champion Bart Hassam
Net proceeds to benefit the AIFD® Foundation This design experience will illustrate a variety of styles showcasing the flowers that each attendee will work with hands-on, with an emphasis on:
• Working away from the container
• Working with line, form, transparency and scale
• Working with several contemporary floral design techniques

The World Class Design Experience is an Optional Registration. An additional tuition of $349.00 by May 15 and $399.00 after May 15 is required. Lunch will be on your own. Please see the AIFD® Registration Form to register for this Event.
*IMPORTANT: Please bring your tools to the Design Experience.

Vision Lounge

Open your eyes to the main gathering lounge for mingling and networking throughout Symposium! The Vision Lounge will feature the program display gallery, Premier and Diamond partner displays, bookstore, SAF’s Outstanding Varieties, AIFD’s memorial garden, and a photo backdrop.

 

AIFD Book Store

The AIFD Book Store will be open from 9:45 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on July 4-4. With hundreds of books on a wide variety of topics, a stop by The AIFD Book Store is certainly something to add to your list of “must do” Symposium activities.

 

Young Professionals

Are you an AIFD or CFD member under the age of 40 and looking to connect with like minded floral artists? Then AIFD wants you to get involved with the Young Professionals Group.

YP Chill and Chat – Saturday, July 4
Are you a floral designer under the age of 40 and looking to connect with like-minded florists? Then join your fellow YPs and FFA participants as they gather in the Vision Lounge to share ideas, brainstorm, develop new concepts and discover new activities.

 

 

First Timers

A great opportunity for you to get acquainted with new attendees and be introduced to the Institute’s mentors. We will answer your Symposium questions and take you on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of all the key activities and locations. Open to anyone attending Symposium!