Southern Chapter

President’s Message

Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe 2020 is already upon on us!  “Vision” is the key word for 2020 – it is the theme for our upcoming symposium and it has been a driving force for our Southern Chapter board as well.  Over the past few years we have been seeking to clarify our vision for the chapter. Please join me in thanking our board for all the hard work that went into this process and keep posted to our new blog and on Southern Chapter AIFD on both Facebook and Instagram. Many thanks especially to Marcela Lopez Villajo AIFD, our communications and Social Media queen who has been doing a fabulous job keeping us connected via our various platforms.

Our chapter Vision has encompassed 2 main areas – Education and Public Awareness

In terms of Public Awareness, Ruben Consa AIFD just finished hosting the Doral Festival of Flowers and Art where he highlighted Floral Art in a very public display to the southern Florida community. In March we will continue our work with the NC Museum of Art and their Art in Bloom festival. In NC, Sue Bain AIFD will be creating a large floral art display for Southern Chapter and Jody McLeod AIFD will be conducting a workshop for our chapter. These public exhibitions are a great way to get our AIFD logo in front of consumers and give them an opportunity to see our work.

We have several Education projects ongoing –

We are partnering with Florida State Florists Association to provide a mock certification exam for folks wanting to practice for the PFDE and/or to obtain their FL Master Florist designation. Many thanks to Bob Tucker AIFD, Sue Bain AIFD, Michael Whaley AIFD, and Angelyn Tipton AIFD for coordinating that event, and especially to Jackie Lacey AIFD who graciously agreed to discuss the evaluations with the candidates.  Additionally, we are conducting a student education weekend/competition for our SAIFD Students. Aisha Crivens AIFD, Donny Johnson AIFD and Linda Speer AIFD have been working hard on this important project, many thanks to Roger Dennis AIFD and Western KY University for hosting this this event.  This past October, Randy Wooten AIFD and several of our AIFD colleagues assisted with the Floral Competitions at the FFA National Convention. Our work with FFA is an important part of our mission to introduce and bring young people into our industry.

Do something for YOU!   This coming March, Southern Chapter will be hosting FlowerWood 2020, an opportunity to play in the woods with outdoor floral art installations in the Catoctin Mountains in MD. You owe it to yourself to take some time out to relax, get back in touch with the creative energy in nature and share some fun and fellowship with our floral family, many thanks to Lori Himes AIFD and Angela Darrah AFD for coordinating this event.

Please keep abreast of these and other activities on our social media platforms and on our new Accents Blog.

Wishing all a happy, prosperous and adventure-filled new year!

Terry Godfrey AIFD
Southern Chapter President 2019 – 2020