New President of AIFD

Tina Stoecker AIFD

Named President

of

American Institute of Floral Designers

Tina Stoecker AIFD of Designs of the Times Florist, Inc. in Melbourne, Fla. was installed as president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) during the organization's 2009 National Symposium held in Kansas City (July 11-16).


She succeeds Walter Fedyshyn AIFD, PFCI of Anthony Gowder Designs, Inc. in Chicago, Ill. as the volunteer leader of the floral industry's leading organization in design education.


Installed as president-elect of AIFD was Sharon McGukin AIFD, a freelance instructional designer and floral commentator from Carrollton, Ga.


Tom Bowling AIFD of Fairfield, Ohio was elected and installed as AIFD's new vice president.


Ann Jordan AIFD of Studio Flora in Naples, Maine will remain the Institute's secretary.


Richard Salvaggio AIFD, AAF of Teleflora in Los Angeles, Calif. will continue to serve as treasurer of the Institute.


Elected to serve a three year term on the board of directors is


Jim Rauch AIFD, OCF of Unique Designs Florist Studio in Dayton, Ohio and BJ Dyer AIFD, AAF, CPF of Bouquets in Denver, Colo.


Bill McKinley Jr. AIFD of Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill. and Suzie Kostick AIFD, PFCI, MCF of Cenflo, Inc. / FLORA Magazine in Rio Rancho, N.M. were elected to serve three year terms as directors-at-large.


Vonda LaFever AIFD of Flowers, Etc. in Dixon, Ill. was installed as the membership chair.


Thomas C. Shaner, CAE, continues as AIFD's executive director. AIFD is headquartered in Baltimore, Md.

Northeast Chapter of AIFD

The North East Region ROCKS!

What a year it has been! I am grateful for the board and all they have done for a very successful year, I am so proud to have been President during our very busy and productive year. Ken Beebe and the Long Island Florist Association hosted a Steps program in the fall. It was the first time our new banner was raised. The event was well attended and the LIFA shared the profit with our region.The Philadelphia Florist Association was OVER THE TOP! Ron Mulray’s vision of the Milan Fashion District came to life. Under his directions The Philadelphia Flower Show was an enormous success the AIFD presentation of Bella Italia won:

Best in Show
4-People's Choice Awards
Special Achievement Award-Garden Club Federation of PA
PHS Achievement Award
Maintenance Award
These are the members and 2009 inductees who participatedMichael O’Neill, Dan Vaughn ,Deryk De Matas, Robert P DeBellis,Teresa Collucci, Brad & Kelly Harnisch, Michael A. Hasco, Laurie Duell Lemek, Adriene Presti, Claire Won Y. Kang,Sue Weissera, Chris Ondrak , Anthony Palmieri, Catherine Elizabeth Epright, Colleen Ann Kelly, Janet Copeland Black, Ann Jordan ,Michael Boskey, Polly Berginc, Sue Krabill, Lori Himes, James Dempsey, Kenneth E. Norman, Diane Spalding.An In Step with AIFD Program was held in Connecticut Feb, 28 in conjunction with the North East Floral Expo. Vonda LaFever presentation was well attended and hopefully we will see some of the faces again as candidates for membership.Joyce Mason-Monheim presented another In Step with AIFD program in Camden, Maine for Maine State Florist Association. Our need for so many program in the north east region is due to Symposium coming to Boston in 2010. We hope to generate lots of interest in AIFD for membership testing.Our North East pins are ready for purchase. Ken Norman worked on getting the art work done, his hard work paid as they are handsome and look very nice on our members. Karyn Brooks helped us with the cost making them a great fund raiser for the region. Contact Peter Couture to purchase your pin.The "Spectacular Spring" Design Show & Hands on workshop held at Hillcrest Gardens Paramus, NJ was another enormous success! Ken Norman hosted the event with many members pitching in their time an talent. Ron Mulray, Adreiene Presti, James Dempsey and Teresa Collucci designed while Ken and I commentated, the tried and true panel design show prove again to be a great show. The audience was thrilled with the presentation. Chris Ondrack an Colleen Kelley organized a silent auction to add dollars to the till and Hillcrest split the auction and gate fees. Lisa Greene, Ken and I taught the design workshop to a sell out group of eager students.Membership offered another Steps Program at Longwood Gardens followed by a Connections workshop. Steve Parker made this very important connection with Longwood Gardens one that we hope to continue each year.We give a full scholarship to Brad Harrington, we look forward to meeting him in Kansas City. We also gave a grant to our SAIFD School to go toward sending students to Symposium.Ken Norman, Colleen Kelley and I have finalized the regions policies and procedures this arduous task produced a living document to guide our region. All the board members will receive a fresh off the press copy in KC this July.Elections were held and our new board members are Polly Berginc, Teresa Collucci. Steve Parker will have a second term, Colleen Kelly is our President Elect, Suzanne Sampson will be our Vice President, Lisa Greene- Secretary and Ken Beebe Treasurer. Congratulations to you all!Lisa Greene kept us all informed through our updated newsletter. Lisa published one per month for 3 years! I thank her for her time and commitment. I know that I look forward to reading it and keeping in touch with our region.Our region will host its 25 Silver Anniversary this year at the 2009 National Symposium "The Sky is the Limit", Kansas City, MO. Ken Norman will be our host. Colleen Kelley is working on our regions History and Memorial Album for the celebration.As you can see we had a busy year and added needed funds to our treasury while offering educational opportunities to our members, isn’t that what it is all about?Many thanks to our NERC Board.Respectfully,Ann Jordan AIFDPresident, Northeast Regional Chapter
Northeast Regional Chapter News

AIFD_ NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM is coming to Kanas City

Hollywood has the Oscars. Sports has the Olympics. And the Floral Design Industry has the AIFD National Symposium; the one place where floral designers from all over the world gather to share the latest trends in floral design.
AIFD National Symposia feature programs by the floral industry's best and brightest. Meet colleagues who share your interests. Learn about the latest trends in floral design. Acquire new skills, ideas, and innovations that you can carry home to colleagues and students alike.
AIFD's 2009 National Symposium, "The Sky's the Limit" will be held in Kansas City, Mo. July 11-16.
Symposium AttireYou’ll be enjoying summer in the city, so comfortable business casual clothing is appropriate for wear throughout AIFD’s National Symposium. There are several times, however, when other dress is more appropriate. These include the Monday, July 13, Awards & Induction Dinner where business dinner attire is more appropriate, and the Wednesday, July 15, Final Night Dinner/Dance where we dress to the nines in black-ties and elegant dresses.