2004 Newsletter Sept -Dec Page 44 AIFD National Symposium, Floral Design Institute, Floral design school, floral school, floral classes, floral supplies, floral videos, home study, wedding design

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As thrilling as New York was, it couldn’t compare to the excitement of the AIFD National Symposium. This annual program is a spectacular showcase of astonishing floral design featuring some the most talented floral designers in the world.

This year’s symposium was even more eventful for me because David and I were both inducted as accredited members of AIFD. What an absolute thrill! My head is still spinning.

I’m sure that my feet will touch the ground again, but for now, I’m still flying high. David and I were the first husband and wife couple ever to be inducted together. Although David likes to say that he was inducted first. “The induction ceremony was alphabetical”. While it was thrilling to be inducted together, the potential horror of this did not dawn on us until after we had completed our Accreditation Evaluation Session last year. What if one of us had passed and the other failed? This could have placed a major stress on our marriage.

I have been floral designer now for over 27 years and I still amazed and overwhelmed by the AIFD National Symposium. A week filled with beautiful flowers, wonderful educational programs and dramatic floral design. An opportunity to meet with friends, both old and new, share ideas, enjoy flowers and be truly inspired. What fun, to again be thrilled by the art of creative floral design. What excitement, to view the inspired talents of some of America's leading floral artists. What joy, to reconnect with graduates and see the progress that they have made in their careers. What pleasure, to meet with old friends and find that even after 27 years they are still thrilled by floral design and are "Doing What They Love".

A long held philosophy of mine is that; "One of the Biggest Destroyers of Small Businesses is Isolation". Frequently, small business owners get so caught up in the day-to-day operations of their business that they fail to take a break, leave their shop, and see what is going on in the world around them. As they lose touch with their market, their sales begin to slip. In response, the business owner works harder and longer, isolating themselves even further from the real world marketplace, creating a downward spiral that ends in business failure. While often ignored, "getting away" from the business is as important as a strong marketing plan and good cash flow.

If you need to get away and recharge your creative energies plan to join me next year at the 2005 AIFD National Symposium held in Seattle, Washington. I promise you a wonderful party. In the meantime, click on the link below and view our collection of photos from the 2004 symposium.

Click Here for the Floral Design Institute Home Page