Flowermart And Baltimore

Over 900 Floral Pros From Around The Globe Attended AIFD's 2011 National Symposium

By American Institute of Floral Designers
Posted: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 3:20PM EDT

BALTIMORE – Over 900 floral design artists from around the world gathered together in San Francisco, Calif. July 4-9 to celebrate ‘Imagine,’ the 2011 National Symposium of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).

The AIFD Symposium was an action-packed educational extravaganza that featured 10 design education stage presentations, four special event meals with abundant floral decor and a multitude of other spectacular events.

“The Symposium was an incredible success this year,” exclaimed AIFD’s new President Tom Bowling AIFD, PFCI of Fairfield, Ohio. “From the educational programs to the receptions to the opportunities to network with one another, ‘Imagine’ gave each person an opportunity to open his/her eyes to new ideas and possibilities within the floral design industry.”

Coordinated under the direction of David and Leanne Kesler AIFD of Portland, Ore., AIFD’s 2011 Symposium was a balanced collaboration between design artists that provided attendees the ability to truly “Imagine” taking their floral design talent to a new level.

AIFD’s San Francisco event kicked-off with the Institute’s annual Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) on Sunday, July 3 in which floral designers attempt to demonstrate their design capabilities in an effort to achieve the coveted status as a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) and/or an invitation to become a member of AIFD. The candidates were each required to make five designs in four hours. Their work was then evaluated by a panel of AIFD members who consider such critical criteria as creativity, mechanics, elements of design, use of floral product and more. Results of the evaluations will be announced in mid-August.

After the PFDE, AIFD members conducted numerous Institute business sessions including those of their board, committees, regional chapters and the annual membership meeting. New officers for the Institute were elected and installed. Elected as officers were President Tom Bowling AIFD, PFCI of Fairfield, Ohio; President-Elect Ann Jordan AIFD, AAF of Windham, Maine; Vice President John Kittinger AIFD of Lexington, Ky.; Secretary Tim Farrell AIFD, AAF, PFCI of Drexel Hill, Pa.; and Treasurer Richard Salvaggio AIFD, AAF of Los Angeles, Calif. Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD of Tucson, Ariz. was appointed to serve as the membership chairperson and Sylvia Bird AIFD, AAF, PFCI of Fort Myers, Fla. will be AIFD's 2012 symposium coordinator.

Baltimore Flower Mart In Full Bloom - Entertainment News Story ...

The event is more than just flowers and plants. Many vendors have set up displays for crafts, jewelry and all kinds of handmade crafts.

"I'm selling my fan mail by E.J. Braida Design, and it's sports jewelry for the ultimate sports fan," said E.J. Braida, a jewelry designer. "I have Ravens and Orioles jewelry since Baltimore is a big Ravens and Orioles town."

At the opening ceremony Friday, a bagpiper played and the event organized a moment of silence in honor of the late William Donald Schaefer , who was an honorary chairman of the Flower Mart. While he might physically be gone, organizers said his spirit remains.

"He loved Flower Mart," said Carol Purcell, chairwoman of the Flower Mart. "Flower Mart was his. He always came down and bought some kind of a violet, and he always carried around some kind of another flower or two. So, he was always a presence at Flower Mart and we still feel the spirit."

This year also marks 100 years the Flower Mart has been a part of Baltimore's Spring culture.

"It's always great to be a part of history, and the fact that they've kept this going for 100 years is very remarkable," Radebaugh said. "We keep coming back because it's such a great event. The city comes out in full droves every time we're here. There are such other great vendors here."

The Flower Mart runs Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Baltimore Flower Mart Road Closures

The following roads will be closed until midnight Saturday:

Charles Street from Centre to Read streets Madison Street from St. Paul to Cathedral streets Mount Vernon Place from Cathedral to St. Paul streets

City officials said parking will also be restricted until 11 p.m. Saturday.

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