While the Academy Awards honors the best in film, the Society of American Florists recognizes excellence in the floral industry with a range of awards and professional designations. And now is the time for the floral community to apply for recognition and submit nominations.
SAF bestows its 2020 honors during the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner at SAF Phoenix 2020, SAF’s 136th annual convention, Sept. 9-12, at the Westin Kierland in Phoenix, Arizona.
SAF’s Professional Floral Communicators-International has the first honors deadline – with PFCI membership applications and Tommy Bright Award nominations due Jan. 31.
- PFCI Membership
Do you love talking about flowers, floral design or the business of flowers? Do you present programs to garden clubs or other professionals? Then you’re three-quarters of the way to earning the PFCI designation. The only thing left to do: fill out an application and submit a video presentation. - Tommy Bright Award
Presented in honor of Ethel “Tommy” Bright, PFCI’s most prestigious designation signifies a lifetime commitment to commentating excellence in the floral industry. The Tommy Bright Award is awarded annually to a member of the Professional Floral Communicators-International. Click here to nominate a PFCI member for the Tommy Bright Award.
The following Awards applications are due March 2:
- American Academy of Floriculture
The American Academy of Floriculture honors members who have committed time and energy to bettering both the floral industry and their local communities. The application requires community and industry service documentation and two recommendation letters from AAF members. - Century Award
Any business or organization that has served the floral industry for 100 years or longer qualifies for this award recognizing longevity.
Nominations are due for the following SAF Awards by March 2:
- Floriculture Hall of Fame
As the industry’s highest honor, SAF’s Floriculture Hall of Fame establishes a symbol of recognition that encourages high standards of service and responsibility in members of the floral industry. - Paul Ecke, Jr. Award
Established in 1984, this award is given to a person in recognition of exemplary devotion to profession, industry and community. Previous named SAF’s Golden Bouquet award, this award was renamed in 2002 in memory of Paul Ecke, Jr., AAF. - Gold Medal Award
Honors the originator or introducer of a widely distributed plant or flower that has become established as an outstanding product of significant horticultural and commercial value. - John H. Walker Award
Named in honor of SAF’s former long-time Executive Vice President, the John H. Walker Award recognizes floral association executives for the role they play as leaders of the industry.
Floral Management Marketer of the Year application deadline: June 5.
Judges look for unique, innovative and successful marketing efforts undertaken in the last five years to increase sales, customer base and/or customer perception of a business, including but not limited to advertising, direct mail, public relations, merchandising and display and image enhancement. The entry form requires a narrative of the campaign’s successes and sample sets of promotional materials if any were used. The winner receives $5,000, a presentation at SAF Amelia Island 2019 and a cover story in Floral Management. Apply here.
For Awards applications and information, visitsafnow.tempurl.host/awards or contact SAF’s Jenester Corbin at awards@safnow.org.
Jenny Scala is the director of marketing and communications for the Society of American Florists.
