Bringing FFA to Symposium

Symposium 2025 “Reflection” | Palm Springs, CA

Each year, AIFD® welcomes FFA students nationwide to participate in the Bringing FFA to AIFD® experience. This unique opportunity allows the next generation of floriculture superstars to immerse themselves in various educational enrichment experiences that uniquely take place during the National AIFD® Symposium.

During their time at the AIFD® Symposium, FFA students and FFA advisors participate in various educational events, from lecture sessions to hands-on workshops, career-building opportunities and networking events.

Criteria for Participation

Instructors and Students must be members in good standing and participating in the Floriculture activities within their FFA program.
Instructors must complete and submit the required application prior to April 1, 2025. Submit Application.
All students must be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of Symposium and may be up to Seniors who graduated in the spring semester of the current year.
All students must be accompanied by a qualified instructor/chaperon.
While preference will be given to groups of between 3 to 6 students with accompanying instructor(s), all applications will be given equal consideration to ensure everyone can participate.
Availability to attend educational events between July 10 through July 14, 2025.
Compete and return Release & Waiver of Liability agreement upon application being accepted for each participating student. Download Waiver of Liability Form
Program limited to 100 total participants.

What are the Costs?

The cost for registration is $579 per person (discounted from the standard $999) *Upon the application being accepted, instructors will be provided with registration instructions for completing all registrations at the discounted price.
Students and instructors are responsible for all travel, lodging and meals.
Advisors and Students will have access to the special “AIFD group rate” at the host hotel(s).

What can we expect from this experience?

Two and a half days of specialized programming and hands on-workshops geared to the FFA student.
Two and a half days of specialized workshops and sessions exclusively prepared for the FFA instructor.
Special private FFA Meet and Mingle allowing students and instructors to gather and meet other FFA members from around the country.
Dedicated volunteer experience where students will go behind the scenes and work alongside industry icons on a special project.
Access to all the amazing Main Stage programs and several breakout lecture sessions begin feature during the Palm Springs Symposium. Also includes access to the Industry Showcase with dedicated time for students to meet face-to-face with industry professionals.
Option to purchase additional hands-on experiences that do not conflict with the scheduled FFA sessions.
Educational supplies and handouts that students and advisors can take home to continue their educational experience.
All flowers and supplies for all workshops. (Available floral supplies can be taken home allowing students and advisors to continue to practice skills they learned during the Symposium.)
Each qualified FFA instructor will receive the AIFD Guide to Floral Design (Third Edition).
Certificate of Completion for each participant.

For more information on all the events happening during the 2025 Reflection Symposium click here.

The 2025 AIFD® National Symposium will take place in Palm Springs, CA, July 12 – 15, 2025 with FFA activities beginning as early as July 11.

COMPLETE APPLICATIONS BY April 1, 2025

Submit Application

If you have any questions or are interested in bringing your FFA students to the AIFD® Symposium, for more information please contact:

Lesleighan Cravens – Career Development Committee/FFA Chairperson
cravensle@missouri.edu or info@aifd.org

Donations

If you are interested in donating to the FFA Fund click here and be sure to choose the “Future Farmers of America – FFA Fund” from the drop down.

Thank You to Our Generous FFA Sponsors

Testimonials

“It was so rewarding to bring students to symposium. I’ve been encouraging one of my students to purse a career in floral design for years. After the [main stage] shows, she decided that [floral design] could be her path for the future!” – Jeffrey Stimmell, Advisor of Big Walnut -DACC FFA (Ohio)

“Wow! What an amazing program that teaches the students and advisors all aspects of the floral industry. We have learned concepts and foundations of design but then we went and did everything hands-on and lectures. My students have learned a lot and I have learned how to make my classes better. Thank you … everyone that has been able to make this happen.” – Jason Vandivort, Elsberry FFA Advisor (Missouri)

“Bring FFA to AIFD [Symposium] has truly been a once in a lifetime experience. It has been a true joy to be able to learn from all these incredible florists and designers. I will take home the memories and I plan to [attend] again!” – Meredith Newton, Southern Alamance FFA, Class of 2024

“AIFD has been one of the most welcoming organizations to our students. The students have loved all of the hands-on workshops. AS a teacher I really enjoyed the Career [Fair] where students were able to talk to different businesses and see all the different career paths in the floral industry. Students were asking questions about testing and have been engaged the entire time.” – Elizabeth Bledsoe, Shaffer FFA (California)

“I loved the Career Fair. Not every student is going to be a retail florist and it [is] wonderful for them to see the different aspects of the floral industry. [I] love how welcoming the industry has been to the students and how involved [they are] in their learning.” – Courtney Champagne, Advisor