The Michigan Floral Association’s Design Contest is one of the most prestigious contests in the nation. Your skills can earn certificates, cash prizes and recognition in The Professional Florist magazine. The contest is a perfect opportunity to show off designs and exchange new ideas. You’ll receive professional recognition for your work and gain publicity for you and your shop. Enter today and aim higher, achieve more, and reach for excellence. This contest is sponsored by FloraCraft, Teleflora, and the California Cut Flower Commission
MFA Design Contest Division Eligibility: Individuals are only eligible to enter one division. For more information download Design Contest Packet HERE.
MFA 2015 Design of the Year Finalist
STUDENT DIVISION
HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL: THEME – TOGETHER WE BLOOM AT THE PROM:
Create a prom corsage and boutonniere. Supply an 8″ x 10″ framed photo of the gown used for inspiration. For judging purposes a model will show off the designs, creativity is expected. All materials permitted except permanent botanicals (silks) and no *props are allowed. Display space is limited to 24″ x 24″, with no height restrictions. Maximum wholesale value is $25. Entry must be secure enough to withstand touching and handling by judges.
COLLEGE/PROFESSIONAL NOVICE: THEME – 50TH YEAR GALA:
Create a table centerpiece for the 50th gala anniversary celebration of a local botanical garden titled Blooming Together for 50 Years. Plant material must be incorporated. All materials must be fresh or dried, no permanent botanicals (silks) or *props allowed. Display space is limited to 30″ x 30″ with no height restrictions. Maximum wholesale value is $50. Entry must be secure enough to withstand touching and handling by judges.
PRIZES FOR STUDENT DIVISION CATEGORIES
1st – $100, Ribbon and Certificate 2nd – $50, Ribbon and Certificate 3rd – $25, Ribbon and Certificate
For more information download Design Contest Packet HERE.
Design Contest Winner’s Circle where all the winning designs are placed on display.
PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
Open to any floral professional with three years or more experience in the industry. Contestants may enter one or all three categories. MUST be entered in all three professional categories to compete for the prestigious MFA Designer of the Year! The Designer of the Year will win a cash prize of $300 and will have designs featured in “Design Spotlight” in six 2016 issues of The Professional Florist magazine. He or she will also represent the Michigan Floral Association at the National Alliance of Floral Associations (NAFA) National Designer of the Year contest held October, 2016. Airfare, hotel, meals and registration will be covered for the NAFA competition.
THEME 1 – BLOOMING MEMORIES: Create a design to be used at a memorial service/gathering for an avid gardener. Your arrangement must demonstrate two design techniques. Describe the two most prominent design techniques used on a 4″ x 6″ index card. Fresh and/or dried materials
may be used, no permanent botanicals (silks) and no *props are allowed. Display space is limited to 48″ wide x 30″ deep and no height restrictions. Maximum wholesale value is $100. Entry must be secure enough to withstand touching and handling by judges.
THEME 2 – SURPRISE PACKAGE ONE: This is just like doing an order at the shop! All contestants will be given identical flowers and hard goods to create designs on site. All design items will be provided. You are only allowed to bring your knife, scissors, wire cutters and bunch cutter. You will have 1⁄2 hour starting at 6:00 p.m. All contestants should meet at the MFA registration desk in the Secchia Lobby promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016, for a briefing and then go to a designated location.
THEME 3 – SURPRISE PACKAGE TWO: This is like package one but a different order. All contestants will be given identical flowers and hard goods to create designs on site. All design items will be provided. You are only allowed to bring your knife, scissors, wire cutters and bunch cutter. You will have 1⁄2 hour starting at 6:30 p.m. All contestants should meet at the MFA registration desk in the Secchia Lobby promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016, for a briefing and then go to a designated location.
PRIZES FOR PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
1st – $100, Ribbon and Certificate 2nd – $50, Ribbon and Certificate 3rd – $25, Ribbon and Certificate
For more information download Design Contest Packet HERE.
CERTIFIED FLORIST DIVISION NEW!
THEME – TOGETHER WE BLOOM: Create all around centerpiece highlighting our conference theme Together We Bloom. Describe the two most prominent design techniques on a 4″ x 6″ index card. Fresh and /or dried materials may be used, no permanent botanicals allowed. No *props are allowed. Display space is limited to 30″ x 30″ with no height restrictions. Maximum wholesale value is $60. Entry must be secure enough to withstand touching and handling by judges.
PRIZES FOR CF DIVISION 1st – $75 worth of merchandise, Ribbon and Certificate 2nd – $50 worth of merchandise, Ribbon and Certificate 3rd – $25 worth of merchandise, Ribbon and Certificate
For more information download Design Contest Packet HERE.
THE ACADEMY DIVISION
THEME – BLOOMING TOGETHER: Create a tablescape design suitable for a centerpiece at a wedding in the local farmers market. Each contestant must display entry on a 72″ rectangular table which will be provided. Linens and other props are permitted. Chairs and table service not required but encouraged. Please print on a sheet of paper the two techniques and the two elements of design most prominent in the tablescape and place in 8″ x 10″ frame on the table. The $100 wholesale cost applies to the centerpiece only. This category will be judged for the entire presentation.
PRIZES FOR ACADEMY DIVISION
The prize for the Academy Division is $300 cash, the winner’s plaque and his or her name inscribed on a traveling honorary award. The Academy winner will be the featured author of six “Design Tips” in The Professional Florist magazine.
For more information download Design Contest Packet HERE.
*Props are defined as any or all items that are not a physical part of or attached to the composition being judged.
**Note: All contest pieces will be on display in an area open to the public. The building has security, but design contest entries are not in a space that is locked up overnight. The MFA cannot be responsible for any materials, props, etc. used for the contest.
Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors… FloraCraft, Teleflora, and the California Cut Flower Commission
