The 19 contestants participating in the Sylvia Cup Design Competition at SAF Palm Springs 2018 are from top left:
Molly Boulden, NAFD, of Corum’s Flowers in Omaha, Nebraska and sponsored by the Bill Doran Company – Omaha, Nebraska
Lee Burcher, AIFD, CCF, PFCI, of Fleur de Lys in San Pedro, California
Rebekah Casey, AIFD, of Ballard Blossom, Inc. in Seattle
Vic Castillo, AIFD, of Lee’s Florist & Nursery in Berkeley, California
Mary Ann De Berry, CFD, TMFA, of The Florist, Ltd. in Denton Texas and sponsored by The Florist, Ltd.
Alejandro Figueira Fernandes, AIFD, of Ornatus Events Productions in Davie, Florida
Lisa Greene, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Beach Plum Flower Shop in Newburyport, Massachussettes
Mark Griffith of Bouquet Floral Design Studio in Omaha, Nebraska and sponsored by the Nebraska Florists Society
Adam Havrilla, AIFD, ICPF, PFCI, of Artistic Blooms, LLC in Chicago
Ben Lee of Edelweiss Flower Boutique in Santa Monica, California and sponsored by the California State Floral Association
Roslyn Long, AIFD, of Jasmine Creek Florist in El Cajon, California and sponsored by Jasmine Creek Florist
Greg Lum, AIFD, EMC, of Lee’s Florist & Nursery in San Francisco and sponsored by Lee’s Florist & Nursery
Carolyn Minutillo, AIFD, EMC, PFCI, of Lavender Hill LLC in Jeffersonville, Indiana and sponsored by Lavender Hill LLC
Misha Park in Frederick, Maryland and sponsored by Green Valley
Rey Rodriguez, AAF, AIFD, TMFA, of The Gypsy Florist in Austin Texas and sponsored by The Gypsy Florist
Jenifer Rupnow of Matzke Florist in Elkhart, Indiana and sponsored by Linda & Stan Rupnow
Jenna Sleeman, AIFD, of Infinite Gift in Coral Gables, Florida and sponsored by the Florida State Florists Association
Lynne Tischler, AAF, CPFD, PFCI, of Your Enchanted Florist in St. Paul, Minnesota
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, CF, PFCI of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan
Among the 19 floral designers participating in the 50th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition at SAF Palm Springs 2018 are 12 members of the American Institute of Floral Designers, eight past Sylvia Cup contestants — including two grand prize winners and a second runner-up winner — and three designers sponsored by state floral associations.
The winner of this year’s two-hour live floral design competition, sponsored by Certified American Grown and Smithers-Oasis and coordinated by Professional Floral Communicators – International, will take home $3,000 and complimentary registration to the next SAF convention.
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan, and the winner of the 2016 Sylvia Cup, is making a run for another Cup.
“The competition is a great experience, and truly no different than an emergency situation in the flower shop,” Woodruff said. “It pushes you to be creative and really makes you practice the principles and elements of floral design, which just makes you a better designer overall.”
As for new competitors in the field, some veteran contestants have advice.
“Try to gather information and experiences from past competitions that you have participated in,” said Greg Lum, AIFD, EMC, of Lee’s Florist & Nursery in San Francisco and a competitor this summer at FTD’s America’s Cup. ” Often times there are specific details (theme, color, feel, purpose) that the judges will look for, so make sure you include them in it. Just remember to clear your mind and draw from your past experiences and designs. Design what comes naturally and take a deep breath.”
Lisa Greene, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Beach Plum Flower Shop in Newburyport, Massachusetts, agreed about the importance of that deep breath. She also suggested getting the hard stuff out of the way in the beginning.
“Do what challenges you the most first,” Greene said. “Once that one is in the bag, you can relax and concentrate on details. Do not worry about what the others are doing, don’t look at the other competitors it will only freak you out.”
The 50th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition takes place on Sept. 15 at SAF Palm Springs 2018, at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California. Can’t make the event? Look for coverage and lots of photos on SAF’s Facebook and Instagram page next week and in future issues of EBrief and Floral Management magazine.
Anne Holub is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists and Jenny Scala is SAF’s director of marketing and communications.
