Introduction

Planning

Prepping

Production

Pitfalls

Questions

LOANN BURKE, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AAF

Loann is an award winning floral designer and event specialist with Furst the Florist in Dayton, Ohio. A highly sought after speaker and designer, she frequently shares her passion for flowers as she presents product demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and design seminars throughout the country for retailers, wholesalers, garden clubs, and civic organizations. With over 30 years of experience in the floral industry, Loann’s designs and insights have been featured in Florists’ Review, Canadian Florist, Floral Management, Floriology, IDEA Magazine as well as national print ad campaigns and other industry publications.

She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2005, and into Professional Floral Communicators International in 2008. In 2015, Loann won the grand prize in the 48th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition, and was inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF), a recognition for those who have committed their time and energy to both the floral industry and their local communities. She presented her critically acclaimed program, The Language of Flowers, on the main stage at the AIFD National Symposium, Transition Transformation, in Chicago. As part of a team of designers from the American Institute of Floral Designers, Loann has been invited to design at the White House in Washington DC on multiple occasions. In 2017, she represented the United States in the World Florists’ Competition in France.

Loann currently serves as Design Director for Smithers-Oasis. She is past President of the North Central Chapter of AIFD and has served on the AIFD National Board and the AIFD Foundation. Loann holds a Bachelor’s degree with Distinction in horticulture from Purdue University, and a Master’s degree in Marketing from Wright State University.