If you love talking about flowers and present programs for garden clubs or industry groups, you’re already half way to getting the recognition you deserve. The hard part is talking in front of a crowd; filling out an application is easy.
PFCI Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Download the PFCI Membership Application (Fillable PDF)
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Utilize some of our PFCI Mentors (coming soon!)
WATCH THIS VIDEO — It’s a requirement of applying for PFCI membership.
PFCI Membership Application Timeline
- March: Application deadline is at the beginning of the month. The PFCI Board of Trustees reviews applications during its Spring Meeting.
- May: Applicants are notified of their application status.
- August: The PFCI Induction Ceremony takes place during the Industry Awards Dinner at the SAF Annual Convention.
PFCI Member Benefits
Professional Floral Communicators – International is a network of professional floral business educators certified by SAF. Each member of PFCI has proven, through their education and experience, their ability to speak authoritatively about the principles and elements of floral design, the proper care and handling of flowers and effective business management techniques.
PFCI credentials reflect professional expertise.
- With over 100 members, PFCI is a prestigious professional organization. The membership review process requires candidates to document presentation, publication and leadership experiences, receive recommendations from three PFCI members or show sponsors and submit a DVD/video of a live program presentation.
- PFCI members are recognized as floral business educators.
- The Tommy Bright Award, presented during the annual SAF Convention, salutes a PFCI member for lifetime achievement in the field of floral presentation.
- Read “Getting Your Letters” from Floral Management magazine
- Read “How AIFD and SAF Memberships Changed My Floral Career” by Thaddeus Servantez, AIFD, CFD, Floriology
PFCI promotes hiring a PFCI speaker.
- The PFCI Membership Directory provides PFCI members with exposure to groups looking for speakers. It is searchable by Name, State or Company; New Members; Expertise; Programs for Floral Industry Professionals; and Programs for Public Audiences.
- Classified advertisements for “Need a Speaker?” are published in Floral Management magazine.
- “Successful Events: A 12-Step Guide to Organizing Programs that Educate, Motivate and Captivate” helps groups plan programs and recommends hiring a PFCI speaker.
- SAF refers reporters to PFCI members for flower trends information.
PFCI provides leadership opportunities.
- PFCI programs offer members opportunities for leadership and skill development.
- Former members of the PFCI Board of Trustees have gone on to serve on the American Institute of Floral Designers National Board of Directors, including: Walter Fedyshyn, Tina Stoecker and Sharon McGukin.
PFCI events are popular and exciting.
Sylvia Cup Design Competition
- PFCI coordinates the U.S. floral industry’s longest-running annual, live floral design competition.
- It is one of the most popular events at the SAF Convention, drawing standing-room-only crowds.
- The competition provides leadership opportunities for PFCI members who serve as judges.
Seminars held in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium
- The PFCI Board of Trustees presents seminars of interest to up-and-coming speakers and PFCI members. These programs include: Creating Your Style; Keys to Communication; Professional Lifesaving Lessons; Speaking the Language of Sales & Service; Bridal Sense, Scents & Cents; Creating Brand You; Thinking On Your Feet/SpeakEasy and Verbal, Visual, Vocal.
- PFCI members receive complimentary registration to these seminars and have access to seminar materials for use in their own presentations.
- The seminars provide leadership opportunities for PFCI members who develop and present them.