→ The candidate for admission must be a member in good standing of the Society of American Florists for three years or more and must maintain that membership to use the AAF designation.

→ If applicants are owners, principals or partners of a business, they must have a favorable credit rating as evidenced by three letters from trade references. If applicants are employees of a member firm, they must provide two letters of personal reference. Personal reference letters should be from employees from your company.

→ The candidate for admission must be endorsed in writing by two current members of the Academy. Endorsement letters should not be from immediate family members or same company employees. (see AAF members listed in dropdown below).

→ The candidate for admission must have served or worked in the floral industry on a full-time basis a minimum of five years.

As evidence of community service, a candidate should meet three of the criteria listed below.

The Awards Committee will evaluate each of these criteria on its individual merits. Please include all community involvement on the application.

• Current or formerly active member of a community service organization such as the Kiwanis, Soroptimists, PTA, etc.
• Has been actively involved in a community service project.
• Has been active in charities and/or religious leadership.
• Served as chairman of a local civic service project.
• Actively participated in a neighborhood or community improvement or beautification project.
• Served as an officer of a neighborhood or community organization.
• Served as an officer or director of a community service group or organization.
• Has been actively involved in a local issue or referendum such as a school bond or tax issue.
• Served as an elected local or state official.
• Served on a community board such as a planning board.
• Received an award for community service.
• Other community service.

An AAF candidate must:

→ Be a member of the local, state or regional allied floral organization serving his or her area, if available.

→ Have served as a member of a committee or on the board of directors of a local, state, or regional allied floral organization, or the Society of American Florists or another major national floral association recognized by the Society of American Florists, such as WF&FSA, AIFD, wire services, etc.

→ Meet at least three of the following criteria:

• Attended an educational program sponsored by SAF or a floriculture and horticulture organization recognized by SAF designed to improve the candidate’s competence in the floral business.
• Attended a state, regional or national convention of a floricultural organization recognized by the Society of American Florists.
• Conducted at least 60 minutes’ worth of educational programming (a seminar, class, series of classes or how-tos).
• Written an article published in the official publication of SAF or one of its allied organizations.
• Conducted a program of at least 30 minutes’ duration on some aspect of floriculture or horticulture for members of the public, i.e., a program at a service club meeting.
• Conducted a program educating students at the high school or college level about the benefits of a career in floriculture and horticulture.
• Engaged in or supported scientific research designed to improve the quality or selection of floriculture and horticulture varieties.
• Received an award from SAF or another floriculture and horticulture organization recognized by SAF recognizing the candidate’s contribution.
• Served as a designer or commentator at an industry gathering such as a convention or educational program.
• Created extensive content showing expertise on flowers and plants on a social media outlet, YouTube channel or on TV creating a voice, new perspective, or new audience for floral products.
• Acted as a spokesperson for promoting flowers, plants and/or design on a social media platform with at least 1,000 subscribers.

*not eligible to provide letters while serving on the awards committee.