Schedule of Events

Thursday, March 14, 2019

4:30pm-9:30pm Illinois Certified Professional Florist (ICPF) Comprehensive Assessment CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

4:30pm-9:30pm Illinois Certified Designer Assessment (ICD) Assessment CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Friday, March 15, 2019

8:00am-5:00pm Advanced Hands-On Workshop:

Preparing for Floral Testing and Competition- SOLD OUT

Need to prepare for the American Institute of Floral Designers PFDE testing, the Illinois Certified Designer assessment, or just simply want to improve in your floral competition skills? This full-day workshop is for you.

Our morning will be filled with a Design School review...

• The Principles and Elements of Design
• Color Harmonies
• Design Styles
• Techniques
• Mechanics
• And What Judges look for...

Our afternoon will be a four hour ...MOCK TEST

8:00am-4:00pm Hands-On Class:

Back to the Basics- SOLD OUT

Not just for the beginning but for every day you design, the basics are the foundation of Great Floral Design. Join Janet and Ronda as we explore the Principles and Elements of Design and how to apply them to basic everyday designs.

For the beginner or as a review for the more advanced designer, we will cover topics including processing fresh product, preparing containers, bow tying and more.

Hands-on design projects will include centerpieces, exploring the triangle, and simple armatures.

presented by: Janet Gallagher AIFD, CFD and Ronda Hess AIFD, CFD, ICPF

Sponsored by ICPF

3:00-6:00pm Registration Open 

3:30-5:30pm Tablescape Contest CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

4:00-6:00pm Land of Lincoln Contest CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

5:30-7:00pm Past President's & Hall of Fame Recipients Dinner

7:00-8:00pm Marketplace Cocktail Reception

Sponsored by SKP Accounting 

8:00-9:00pm Stage Presentation:

The Art of Floral

Let's have fun with Floral Art! Debbie will be presenting a variety of Floral Art pieces. Learn a few techniques and discover how easy it is to introduce Floral Art to your customers! After all, everything we create is Floral Art!

 presented by Deborah Strand AIFD, CFD, ICPF

9:15-11:30pm Hospitality Suite Open

Saturday, March 16, 2019

8:00-5:00pm Registration Open

8:00-5:00pm Marketplace Open

8:30-10:00am Hands-On Workshop:  

Beyond The Bling- SOLD OUT

Taking all the blinged out bracelets and going beyond by adding beautiful blooms and accessories to create show-stopping flowers to wear.

presented by Alan Masters AIFD, CFD

Sponsored by Fitz

8:00-10:00am Designer of the Year Contest CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

10:00-11:00am Stage Presentation

Are we Selling Just Flowers or an Event?  Sympathy Flowers Trending to New Heights.

With sympathy work always evolving and remaining at the forefront of most retail floral businesses, Thaddeus will provide a new way to look at sympathy work. “How am I going to sell that in my shop”?  We have all heard it before, but he will touch base on that and make sure to give everyone something to take back home with them and sell at their local business.

presented by Thaddeus Servantez AIFD, CFD

11:00-12:15pm Open Seating Luncheon

11:00-12:00pm Marketplace Closed

12:00-1:30pm Hands-On Workshop: 

Creative Armatures- SOLD OUT

Upgrade your everyday designs with a unique armature.  Armatures can be made from many different mediums, curly willow, flat cane, aluminum wire, midollino, etc.  Learn to let your creativity explode with one of these mediums.

by Renee Blitek AIFD, ICPF

Sponsored by AIFD North Central 

12:00-1:00pm Student Design Competition CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

12:30-1:30pm Stage Presentation:

Color Theory Design Forum

Come watch as our distinguished designers showcase three different color theories and design styles. Not only will they discuss color and design, they will also discuss how to sell to your customers.

by Candice Hart, CFD, ICPF

Sarah Lobue, AIFD, CFD, ICPF

Courtney Turner, CFD, ICPF

 

 

1:30-3:00pm Hands-On Workshop:

Looking for the Unexpected? Armatures Can Produce Just That!- SOLD OUT

Create a composition with the new Holly Chapple egg and pillow. See how we use this brand new mechanic as a support for your structure. The possibilities are endless. Stretch your creativity and Concepts to create an inspirational modern floral design.

presented by Helen Miller AIFD, CF, CAFA

Sponsored by Kennicott Brothers

1:00-4:30pm Corsage Bar Open

2:30-3:30pm Stage Presentation: 

Recipe for Marketing Success: What are the essential ingredients for your marketing mix in 2019?

Are you overwhelmed trying to market your business? Every day brings a new social media channel or online tool. Every salesman has the perfect new gadget or app to solve your problems. Every ad on Facebook promises the latest and greatest thing. But the reality is that we only have so many dollars to spend, and limited hours to invest.

How many social media platforms does a person have to learn? Where are the best, the essential, places to invest your precious time and money? This session will outline the core elements of a modern marketing mix to get you the best return on your advertising investment.

presented by Ryan Freeman

Sponsored by Floristware

3:30-5:00pm Hands-On Workshop:  

Beyond The Bling

Taking all the blinged out bracelets and going beyond by adding beautiful blooms and accessories to create show-stopping flowers to wear.

presented by Alan Masters AIFD, CFD

Sponsored by Fitz

5:00pm Marketplace/Registration Closes

6:00-7:00pm Board Photos

6:00-7:00pm Cocktail Reception

7:00-8:30pm Presidential Ball/ Awards Ceremony

Sunday, March 17, 2019

8:30-12:00pm Registration Open

8:30-3:00pm Marketplace Open (complimentary coffee and tea until 11:00)

8:30-10:00am Hands-On Workshop

Sympathy Flowers Trending to New Heights- SOLD OUT

With sympathy work always evolving and remaining at the forefront of most retail floral businesses, Thaddeus will provide a new way to design and sell sympathy work.

presented by Thaddeus Servantez AIFD, CFD 

9:00-10:30am Hands-On Workshop:  

Do you Have a Passion for Wedding Bouquets?- -SOLD OUT

Learn how to create bespoke experiences for weddings and events. Using the new Holly Chapple egg and pillow product line. Learn how easy it is to create this new Bohemian style. Come explore all the tips and tricks with Helen.

presented by Helen Miller AIFD, CF, CAFA

Sponsored by Kennicott

11:00-12:00pm Stage Presentation: 

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

It is comfortable to network with those we know in our industry. But what about those businesses outside of our industry? Have you thought about how to connect with them? How to get your floral designs within their business?  It is time to get out of your comfort zone and make new connections. Adam will explain the “how” and “why” of networking with people outside of your industry. He will also explain the benefits of providing floral displays to other businesses. Join us and introduce yourself to a whole new customer base!

presented by Adam Havrilla AIFD, PFCI, ICPF

12:15-1:15pm Luncheon/Annual Meeting

 

1:30-3:00pm Stage Presentation: 

Say Yes To The Best!

This program is sure to engage and inspire!! Jody will bring his southern charisma to the stage and present on-trend wedding designs and mechanics from rehearsal dinner to reception! Through this program you will also learn how to better sell yourself with brides and ways to separate yourself from the rest, so they’ll say Yes To The Best....and that’s YOU!​

presented by Jody McCleod AIFD, CFD, NCCPF

Sponsored by Teleflora