American Institute of Floral Designers> Information on Exhibiting Partners New Products, Book Fair and more!

Information on Partner Member Activities at 2008 Symposium

It’s that time of year when we ask you to start planning your participation in this year’s incredibly exciting AIFD Symposium titled “Collaboration.” This extraordinary Symposium will take place at the Hilton Hotel and Towers, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL. “Collaboration” promises to be filled with wonderful, talented and inspiring presenters that will awe the AIFD audience. It’s a time to renew old friendships, make new friends, network, share talent and learn new design ideas.

Mark on your calendar for Friday, July 4. That’s when AIFD will present the always anticipated and popular Partners New Products and Book Fair Reception. To be a part of this incredible marketing opportunity, please review all the following materials and take action to reserve your space today. There will be no one site tables available so it is imperative that you get your reservations in on time. Reservations for the Partners Event must be received by June 1!!!!

This event focuses completely on AIFD’s Partner Members and their New Product display tables where you can unveil your newest products and services. This year’s event kicks off at 12:45 p.m. with a special time for AIFD to say “thanks” to its Partners and allow them a chance to catch a bite of food before the anticipated sell-out crowd arrives. At 1:30 the doors will open for all to join in. In keeping with the policy begun in 2000, to great success, you are welcome and encouraged to write and sell orders at your display table(s) during the reception.

Exhibitor Information | Book Fair Information | Response Form

AIFD Partners New Product Day Information

Please read the important information below and fill out the response form in regard to your participation in the 2008 AIFD National Symposium. Responses must be received with payment by June 1 in order for us to guarantee your participation. We will not be able to honor any requests received after that date.

New Product Display Participants must be current with their 2008-2009 Partner Membership dues. Annual dues are $400 and were billed on March 1. Payment of dues must be received by the June 1 deadline.
The cost of exhibiting in the New Product Display is $300 per space, if paid by May 15. If paid May 16- June 1, the cost will be $500. (This charge covers the table/space rental and one representative's attendance to the reception.) We regret that we will be unable to accommodate any on site exhibitors so get your registration in early to assure your company a space. There will be no exceptions to this.
Table set up will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 4 and must be completed by 12:00 p.m. A special flower design room will be available for Partners' table prep starting at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. (Important- please note, all tables must be completely dismantled following the Partner Reception.)

The main design room will be available to hold your packaged products for shipping. Only items that are sealed, labeled and ready for shipping will be allowed to be placed in this reserved area.
Tables will be 60" round with a solid white topper. If you are particular, it's advisable to bring your own table covering. Or maybe check with another AIFD Partner Member such as BBJ Boutique Linens (847-329-8400) or Tablecloths for Granted (518-346-7647). Maximum height of the display should not exceed 6 feet from the top of the table.

Because of hotel charges, there will be a $125 fee for each electricity outlet request. Please be sure to note on your registration form if you need electricity, and include this fee.
Partners are limited to two tables per company. If you choose not to use the table(s), the space will be limited to the 60" area that the table would have occupied. You may also share a table with another company (must also be an AIFD Partner Member). Solid walls (back drops) may not be used.
Distribution of magazines, posters and catalogs is encouraged. As in the past selling during the reception will be allowed.

Registration for ONE representative (for the New Product Reception) is included in the $300/$500 participation fee. An additional charge of $100 per person ($125 on site) is required for other representatives of your company who may be attending the event and who are not registered for the entire Symposium. Everyone in the exhibit area is required to have an official registration badge.
Tables will be assigned in "Response Date Order." The cut-off date of June 1, 2008, for registration, will be strictly enforced. There will be no exceptions to this.
As a special benefit to Symposium New Product Display participants, AIFD will provide you with a complete list of Symposium registrants for follow-up marketing. In addition, mailing labels or a disk of Symposium registrants are available ONLY to Partners who exhibit during the Symposium. The cost of the labels or electronic disk is $200.
Please ship all boxes to arrive not more than three days in advance: Address as follows: It is Critical that you mark your package(s) “PARTNERS EVENT”

Hold for arrival of: (Name of Person receiving packages)
Arriving: (Date of Arrival)
AIFD Partners Event
Hilton Hotel
720 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
If your boxes are for the Book Fair only, mark the second line of the address "AIFD-Book Fair (July 4).
IMPORTANT: All tables MUST be totally dismantled and removed by 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Packaged, sealed and labeled materials can be stored in the main flower room, with Bette Lou Barker until Saturday afternoon.
The package room is located at the back of the exhibit hall in the hotel. It is your responsibility to provide necessary shipping labels. Please have that information with you when you arrive, to avoid any problems at a later date. We will not be responsible for any lost or damaged items. Shipping forms will be available at the New Products Reception. Again, it is your responsibility to have your Fed Ex, DHL or UPS shipping numbers and labels with you before you leave your boxes in the flower room.

Book Fair Information

AIFD’s acclaimed 2008 National Symposium (Chicago, IL, July 4-7) will again feature a Book
Fair and Educational Materials Expo.

Products on display in this area are limited to publications, and video and audiotapes. In addition to Partner members, AIFD Accredited Members may also participate in the Book Fair. Accredited Members may participate only to the extent that they show products written or produced by themselves. All others must be Partner Members.

Book Fair hours of operation will be Friday, July 4, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additionally, for those who wish, there will be an expanded Book Store that will take place on
Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 7:30
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday. An extra fee of $250 will be required if you will to avail yourself
of these extended hours. Sales are permitted during the New Products Exhibit and Book
Fair/Book Store.

The fee for a table in the Book Fair is only $150 if paid by May 15 and $175 if paid May 16-
June 1. Or, $400/$425 if you wish to participate in the extended daily operations of the Book
Store. Persons monitoring a Book Fair table must be registered for the entire Symposium.
Please see “Partners New Product Day Information” for details on shipping. Use the
Partners New Product Display Response Form to reserve a Book Fair/Book Store table.