2009 Floral Design Symposium

Up-close of weaving technique with lily grass

Sweetheart Table Arrangement. All floral materials were oranges, citrus, and lime colors that designers had to work with (every competitor got the exact same floral materials).

Buffet Table Piece in giant martini glass that was the standard vase all competitors had to incorporate into their designs

Bridal Bouquet by Dani Ruais. Won 3rd Place in the Student Designer Competition

Bridal Bouquet by Dani Ruais.

Napkin Ring

The American Institute of Floral Designers holds an annual symposium in which student members compete for scholarship monies, interact with world-renown floral designers and innovators, get a peek into the floral design industry, as well as get a first hand look at some of the latest designs and floral products. During this event, florists wanting to receive their certification from the Institute compete and are awarded their certifications. This certification is difficult to get and shows that florists who do receive it have a higher standard of quality and design. Melinda Lynch, AIFD and Floral Design lecturer at Cal Poly SLO, is the team leader for the student floral designers who attend and compete in the annual symposium.

The above photos are of Dani Ruais' work in the 2009 Student design competition at the AIFD Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. She was awarded third place for her bridal bouquet. Melinda Lynch, AIFD is no stranger to winning and all of her students who competed in 2009 either placed first, second, or third, and again in the Top Ten.