2026 Theme:

“BALANCE IN BLOOM”

Any creative design composition suitable for a tabletop, wall hanging or suspended design. Your work should clearly express your interpretation of the theme; “Balance in Bloom”.

Materials:

We ask that at least 50% of the chosen materials be fresh, dried or live plant products. Please refrain from using any faux or chemically treated botanicals. Contestants are responsible for procuring their own materials. Design dimensions should not exceed 3’ Wide x 3’ Tall x 3’ Deep

Entry Fee:

One entry per person with a $40 (USD) submission cost. All monies collected are for fundraising purposes that benefit scholarships and educational events organized by the Northwest AIFD Chapter. Payments and submissions are to be submitted via our webpage: www.nwaifdfloristry.com.

Photos, form and entry fees will be accepted until 11:59pm(PST), Sunday, April 12th, 2026.

No exceptions will be made after the submission deadline. The contest opening date is Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.

TO ENTER: tap the “Enter Your Submission” button below. This will take you to the entry fee submission page where you will UPLOAD PHOTOS of your design & provide your personal info. This page will be disabled once the deadline to submit arrives.

*ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026

{EARTH DAY}

Design Specifics:

Create a design using at least one nature-made object found or foraged. All flowers, foliage & other botanical materials (fresh and/or dried) are considered separate from your chosen object. Any and/or all flowers and foliage can be foraged, found, grown, or purchased. Please ensure at least 50% of the design includes natural botanicals. 

*PLEASE ONLY USE ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE FOUND OR FORAGED RESPONSIBLY WITH PERMISSION TO DO SO. DO NOT GATHER, FORAGE, STEAL, OR CUT WITHOUT A PROPERTY OWNER’S CONSENT.

We encourage the use of natural, sustainable materials as much as possible, as well as eco-conscious mechanics.

Submissions:

We are asking you to submit (3 to 5) photographs of your design. Tips for photo submissions: 

• Be sure it is adequately lit (natural light is best)

• The design should be the main focus in whichever setting is complimentary

• Photos to include should be an overall FRONT view of ENTIRE DESIGN, overall BACK view and up to 3 other detail shots (that may include attention to mechanics used and or artistic craftsmanship)

• Please rename your photo files following the example below, before uploading (ie: SallySmith1, SallySmith2, SallySmith3…etc.)

• ***DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE ACTUAL PHOTOS AS IT IS BLIND JUDGING…

• IMPORTANT *** Please do not share your entered designs publicly until after the TOP 10 are announced (Friday, April 17th) or you may face disqualification, as all designs are to be blind-judged.

Judging:

Entries will be blindly judged by three qualified floral design professionals and Certified Evaluator/Judges. The TOP 10 scoring designs will be announced Friday, April 17th.

Opportunites Awarded:

There will be ONE top award, a runner-up, as well as a “People’s Pick” via an online platform link.

Awarded Gifted Opportunities:

(*and please make note of the clauses below)

For Top-scoring design:

One General Registration to the AIFD National Symposium “Elevate” in Orlando, Florida, July 2-6, 2026. Valued at $1200 usd.

*Travel & accommodation are the recipient’s responsibility.

Runner up:

$1000 gift towards online education with the FLORAL DESIGN INSTITUTE.

People’s Pick:

We are also promoting a fun social media campaign for a People’s Pick award of our TOP 10 scoring designs! The top pick with the most votes will be featured on our NW AIFD Chapter Facebook and Instagram platforms. The public will be able to vote via an online voting platform.

***Clause #1: Though encouraged to participate in this fun fundraiser, current National & Regional Board Members will not be eligible to accept the Symposium Registration opportunity, due to rules set forth in the Northwest Chapter’s acceptance to utilize this scholarship. In the case of the top-scoring designer being a member of any AIFD Regional or National board, the 2nd option of an online learning workshop, generously donated by the Floral Design Institute, will be offered. *IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SAME CLAUSE APPLIES TO ANY WHO HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED, as stated in the scholarship stipulations.

***Clause #2: Should the winner be unable to attend the symposium July 2 - 6, 2026, the secon- highest scoring design will be offered this opportunity & the FDI online workshop will be awarded as the alternative. This must be decided within 3 days of being notified.