This July, hundreds of floral designers and industry partners traveled to Orlando to attend the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) National Symposium, a celebration of flowers coupled with the industry’s premier floral design education event. This year’s theme, Emerge 2024, featured a captivating lineup of programs, presenters and sponsors along with breathtaking displays of floral artistry. For two decades, Accent Decor has proudly partnered with AIFD in support of their mission to advance the art of professional floral design through education, service and leadership, and to recognize the achievement of excellence in this art form.

Accent Decor’s long-standing support of AIFD goes beyond the National Symposium. “In our company’s early years, Frank and Margaret Hofland, co-founders of Accent Decor, established partnership with AIFD,” explained Angelique Witcher, Marketing and Content Manager at Accent Decor. “AIFD’s mission beautifully aligns with our core values including our steadfast support of floral education. Over the years, our partnership with AIFD has allowed us to forge and strengthen relationships with customers.” Throughout years of support, Accent Decor has championed floral education and artistry while giving back to the floral community by providing essential hardgoods for education workshops and events, including AIFD’s Symposium.

This year Accent Decor participated in the Industry Showcase alongside Jet Fresh Flower Distributors. The Showcase is an exciting connection point between sponsors, brands and attendees allowing for conversation and plenty of photo opportunities. Longtime partner and friend Ian Prosser, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NDSF, of Botanica International Design Studio, was tapped as Accent Decor’s featured designer. Ian’s talents were on full display as he created transformative florals within large scale event decor products and trend-forward floral vases of all sizes. Products that resonated with attendees included:

• Pirouette Collection
• Conservatory Collection
• Tenor Vase
• Doric Collection
• Harlow Stand & Harlow Footed Bowl
• Gossamer Vase
• Verdant Collection
• Clymene Vase
• Ruffle Vase
• Midas Trough

Over the course of Symposium, 10 dynamic main stage programs were produced and offered to attendees, each hosted by leading floral educators from around the world. This year, Accent Decor partnered with Ian Prosser and Zoe Gallina, Creative Director at Botanica International Design Studio, on a “Weddings Unveiled” presentation. The father-daughter duo shared techniques for capturing the essence of romance and translating that into impeccable event decor wedding designs. During the presentation, Ian introduced the Mondrian Collection, a new and versatile backdrop stand ideal for weddings and special events, designed in partnership with Prosser and Accent Decor.  

Additionally, Talmage McLaurin, AIFD, presented “Dystopia,” an insightful presentation on celebrating the aesthetic richness found in our imperfect yet impermanent world. “Talmage’s presentation was beautifully executed as he shared reflections from his life and how those memories and experiences translate to art,” shared Witcher. “He walked among a stage filled with vignettes of collected items and art showcasing metaphors and illustrating life moments while sharing personal anecdotes throughout.”

Attending AIFD’s Annual Symposium is a beneficial way to learn and allow creativity and inspiration to impact art and day-to-day work. Attendees walk away with new connections, skills and a healthy dose of creative inspiration. To learn more about AIFD, and plans for the 2025 National Symposium in Palm Springs, visit their website.

To shop Accent Decor’s wholesale decor and wholesale event decor including all new and flower, plant and home products, visit accentdecor.com. Visit the Jet Fresh Flower Distributors website to learn more.

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