"The best design in the world is no good unless you teach it to someone else." Fitting words, spoken by the individual who was given the design community's highest honor for, among other things, his seemingly unlimited capacity for teaching and mentoring other designers.

Richard Salvaggio, AIFD, accepts AIFD's highest honor, Award of Distinguished Service to AIFD, from outgoing president Tom Simmons, AIFD.

Richard Salvaggio, AIFD, accepted the American Institute of Floral Designers' (AIFD) Award of Distinguished Service to AIFD, Saturday, July 5, during the AIFD Symposium, held in Chicago. Bestowed upon AIFD members who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Institute, recipients are known as "Fellows of AIFD" and are granted life membership. Salvaggio, Teleflora's vice president of industry relations, becomes the 27th individual to be honored with this award.

Since his induction into the organization in 1987, Salvaggio has served as president, symposium chair and is again on the AIFD Board of Directors serving as treasurer. Upon accepting the surprise award, Salvaggio acknowledged his two most recent employers, Teleflora, where he's been for 12 years, most recently as publisher of Flowers&; and Redbook: "Two companies that so totally believe in education and understand what it does for the floral industry," he said.

Also honored during the ceremonies was Talmage McLaurin, AIFD, with the Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry. A second generation floral professional, McLaurin has served the industry in many roles, including those of floral designer,

"We're fortunate that this industry carries people's sentiments," said award winner Talmage McLaurin, AIFD.

educator, communicator, writer and editor. He's currently publisher of Florists Review. In accepting the award, McLaurin noted two forces in his early years who shaped him as a designer: his mother, a florist, who "taught me the rules" of design, and his grandmother, who he said believed "flowers should do what nature made them do."

For their work in the greening of Chicago and promotional programs marketing the city's florists, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and First Lady Maggie Daley were recognized with the AIFD Award of Merit - NonIndustry. Accepting the award on behalf of the Daley's, Sadhu Johnston, Chicago's chief environmental officer, said, "Since AIFD is a mighty force, we'll count on you to continue greening the planet." Past honorees for this award include Lady Bird Johnson, the NBC "Today" Show and Martha Stewart.

The city of Chicago's chief environmental officer, Sadhu Johnston, accepts an award from from Simmons for the city's green efforts.

BBJ Linen was announced as recipient of the AIFD Award of Merit - Industry. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, BBJ Linen is a leading specialty linen rental company and has been a tireless supportor of AIFD and the floral industry as a whole.

See highlights of the various design presentations during AIFD Symposium.

--Kate F. Penn
kpenn@safnow.org

 

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