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Grand Prize Winner: Coby Neal, AIFD, PFCI  | 
| Coby Neal, AIFD, PFCI
The Flower Studio
www.CobyNeal.com
1406 W 6th St.
Austin, TX 78703
512-236-0416
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The
Associated Press called it the "Iron Chef" of the floral industry and
Coby Neal, AIFD, PFCI, brought the sizzle, sharpened his knives and ate
up the competition in the Sylvia Cup Design challenge on Sept. 18
during SAF Palm Beach 2008.
"It is an incredible feeling to know that I can count
myself among an elite group of individuals who can claim to own the
prestigious Sylvia Cup," says Neal, who owns the The Flower Studio
in Austin, Texas. As the grand-prize winner, Neal received the Sylvia
Cup (an engraved silver champagne bucket), $2,500 provided by
Smithers-Oasis, complimentary registration to SAF Phoenix 2009 and
recognition at SAF's Industry Awards Dinner.
The following contestants won honorable mention awards and
received $250 each provided by Smithers-Oasis, a plaque and recognition
at SAF's Industry Awards Dinner:
Coordinated by SAF's Professional Floral
Communicators-International (PFCI), the Sylvia Cup is the U.S. floral
industry's longest-running annual, live floral design competition. The
Sylvia Cup Design Competition began in 1967 and is named for Sylvia
Valencia, a prominent designer and long-time SAF supporter.
This year, 24 designers — including 18 who have placed in
other design challenges and 14 American Institute of Floral Designers
members — faced off for two hours. Contestants were given the same
product assortment — including roses provided by the competition's
sponsor Eufloria Flowers — and a surprise task: create a hand-tied
bridal bouquet, a centerpiece for a 60-inch round table in the theme
"Romance & Roses" and a wristlet adornment.
Honorable Mention Winner
Honorable Mention Winner
 | Russ Barley, AAF, AIFD, FSMD
Emerald Coast Flowers & Gifts
www.EmeraldCoastFlowers.com
4942 HWY 98W, Ste. 12
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
850-267-2616
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 | Ruben Consa, AIFD
Syndicate Sales
3002 SW Circle St.
Port St-Lucie, FL 34953
954-585-0733
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 | Lorraine Cooper, AAF, AIFD, NDSF
Brady's Floral Gallery
www.BradysFloralGallery.com
7745 E Gelding Dr #103B
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-945-8776
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 | Michele Darveaux
Flowers for the Soul, LLC
200 Nathan Lane North #159
Plymouth, MN 55441
952-738-2469
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 | Petal Harvill
Petal Designs
www.petal-designs.com
21218 St. Andrews Blvd. #229
Boca Raton, FL 33433
561-391-5394
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 | Mary Linda Horn, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, OCF
Mary Linda Horn Floral Designs, LLC
14800 Smart Cole Rd.
Ostrander, OH 43061
740-666-4042 |
 | Mee Sum Lau-Yu, AIFD
Field of Flowers, Inc.
www.FieldOfFlowers.com
5101 S. University Dr.
Davie, FL 33328
954-680-2406 x. 136
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 | Conrad Quijas, AIFD
Stem Gallery
www.stemgallery.net
5630 P St., Suite 101
Lincoln, NE 68505
402-489-1700
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 | Damon Samuel, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NAFD, NMF
Design Expressions by D
1828 Van Camp Ave.
Omaha, NE 68108
402-714-9514
Sponsored by: Nebraska Florists Society
|
 Thank You Judges
The judges were:
- BJ Dyer, AAF, AIFD, of Bouquets in Denver
- Heather Platt, AAF, AIFD, of Grower Direct Fresh Flowers Inc., in Edmonton, Alberta
- 2007 Sylvia Cup Winner Ian Prosser, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Botanica International Florist in Tampa, Fla.
Each judge scored the 75 designs based on 20 factors in three categories:
- Interpretation
of theme: Originality, impact suitability, interpretation, choice of
flowers, and size & style for the occasion.
- Principles and elements of design:
Focal point, scale proportion, textural appeal, line & rhythm,
composition harmony/unity, physical balance, visual balance,
dominance/use of floral accent, form and color.
- Mechanics:
Organization of materials, neatness/mechanics concealed,
construction/wiring & taping, completion of design and economy/use
of materials.
Thank You
Sylvia Cup
is coordinated by:
| Sylvia Cup is
sponsored by:
 | Sylvia Cup
prize money is provided by:
 |
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