Honor Someone with an SAF Award Nomination
Do you know any unsung industry heroes — people whose contributions deserve to be in the spotlight? (Or, maybe you deserve a few accolades yourself?) SAF recognizes the industry’s best and brightest with a wide range of honors acknowledging their hard work and dedication to the floral industry. Their contributions are celebrated during the Industry Awards Dinner at the SAF Annual Convention.
Certifications
Add valuable professional credentials to your name
Read more about each honor and apply online below. Questions? E-mail awards@safnow.org.
Awards
The deadline to submit applications and nominations for top honors is May 1, 2025:
- Floriculture Hall of Fame
- Paul Ecke, Jr. Award
- Gold Medal Award
- John H. Walker Award
- Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education
- Next Gen Rising Star Award
- Century Award
- Tommy Bright Award (deadline: March 1, 2025)
Read more about each honor and apply online below. Questions? E-mail awards@safnow.org.
Certifications
Professional Floral Communicators – International
Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI) is the service mark of the floral industry’s finest floral educators. Each member of the organization has proven, through their education and experience, their ability to speak authoritatively about topics pertinent to the floral industry. For more information regarding PFCI, email PFCI@safnow.org.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
American Academy of Floriculture
The American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) accepts industry members who meet the Academy’s high standards of service to their industry and community. For more information regarding AAF, email awards@safnow.org.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
Awards
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.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
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.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
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.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
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.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education
SAF’s Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education is presented annually to an individual who has made broad-scope, long lasting contributions to research or education in the floriculture industry. For more information regarding the Alex Laurie Award, email awards@safnow.org.
For a list of Alex Laurie recipients, click here.
Download the application and questionnaire:
Century Award
Any industry company that has served the floral industry for 100 years or longer qualifies for the Century Award. The award was first presented in 1982. For more information regarding the Century Award, e-mail awards@safnow.org
For more information and to download a nomination form >
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.
For more information and to download a nomination form >
Next Gen Rising Star Award
The Next Gen Rising Star Award is given to a young floral industry professional (ages 45 and under) in recognition of their professional achievements and commitment to the industry.