Southern Chapter

Presidents Message

As the Incoming President of AIFD Southern Chapter for 2024-2025, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead our chapter. Since becoming an AIFD member in 2014, I have been dedicated to not only contributing my skills and time, but also learning and forming connections within our floral family.

My journey with AIFD Southern Chapter has been nothing short of amazing. From serving as a director on the board in 2017 to joining the Executive Board in 2019, I have delved into the fascinating world of this region. I have had the privilege of learning from exceptional leaders and have truly valued the volunteer work that is ingrained in the culture of Southern Chapter. It is an honor to represent my region and continue to uphold the legacy of past presidents.

As we look towards the future, we have an exciting challenge ahead of us. In 2025, we will fulfill our commitment to fully fund the David Shover AIFD Fund. With the help of dedicated ambassadors throughout the region, we will be hosting events in different areas to achieve this goal. A special thank you to Robyn Arnold AIFD for her integral role in the success of these initiatives. Stay tuned for more details!

In the fall, we will be hosting our annual Body Flower Contest, a platform for talented florists around the world to showcase their Flowers to Wear designs. Not only is this a great opportunity for us to appreciate the beauty and creativity of our peers, but all proceeds benefit the David Shover AIFD Fund.

And mark your calendars for our spring event, Gather 2025, to be held at the FFA Camp in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. This educational event, now in its third year, is becoming a tradition among our community. It offers a relaxed and intimate atmosphere to learn, recharge, and connect with fellow florists and designers in the region. We will have a variety of programs, workshops, and competitions, including the annual SAIFD competition and the second edition of the FFA student competition. We will also be offering a PFDE mock test for those interested in testing in the future. Save the date: March 7-9, 2025.

Lastly, I invite all of you to get involved with our activities. If you have any questions or are interested in joining our board or a committee (CFD members can serve on a committee), please do not hesitate to reach out to me at marcela@marcelafloral.com. I am always just an email away.

Let us continue to come together, share our talents, and celebrate the beauty and creativity of our craft. Let us continue to make each other feel welcomed, inspired, and connected as we shape the future of AIFD Southern Chapter.

Marcela López-Vallejo AIFD, MBA, EMC, PFCI

Incoming AIFD Southern Chapter President 2024-2025