2023 Lotus Cup
2023 ISFA Lotus Cup Contest
The contest will be held on Friday, March 10, 2022
2023 Lotus Cup Competition March 10, 2023 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The entry fee is $175
and includes one dinner ticket to the Banquet/Awards dinner on Saturday March 11, 2023. It
must be received by February 20, 2023. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE PERMITTED.
Contest Description:
Contestants will be given 3 hours to complete 3 designs on-site. The three design categories will
be: Wedding, Sympathy, and Surprise Package. The designer with the top combined score will
become the 2023 Lotus Cup Winner.
Prizes:
Certificates and ribbons will be given to first place in each category.
Designer of the Year:
First Place Overall Winner receives a certificate and the beautiful Lotus Cup trophy to keep. In
addition, the winner will receive $500.00 toward registration to represent Illinois State at the
2023 Sylvia Cup at the Society of American Florists Annual Convention. Travel, hotel and any
remaining registration fees will be at the designer’s expense. The winner will also be invited to
teach a hands-on class at ISFA’s 2024 Annual Event with product and a $300.00 stipend
provided. Travel and accommodation for this event will be at the winner’s expense. If the
winner is not a floral educator, they will receive an ISFA education team member to assist.
First Runner-Up Overall receives a certificate and second place ribbon.
Second Runner-Up Overall receives a certificate and a third place ribbon.
If the Lotus Cup winner is unable to fulfill their responsibilities, the responsibilities will be
fulfilled by the first runner-up or second runner-up, in that order.
Rules:
1. ENTRY: Contest is open to any active florist within the floral industry. Employees or family
members of the Lotus Cup Chairperson are ineligible to compete. Individuals are not eligible to
compete within 1 year of winning the Lotus Cup.
2. Contestants must preregister for the competition by February 20, 2023.
3. Contestants must report to the Lotus Cup Chairperson 30 MINUTES BEFORE the start of the
contest for a required briefing and instructions. At this briefing, each contestant will draw a
sealed envelope containing three identification numbers selected at random, one number for
each design category. At 8:00 AM, the designers will be allowed into the design room and will
have one hour to check the materials provided and prepare. The competition will begin at 9:00
AM and will conclude at 12:00 PM. The Lotus Cup Chairperson will retain a master sheet
containing each contestant’s name and identification numbers. No one other than the Designer
of the Year Chairperson will have access to this document.
4. Contestants may only bring tools and listed materials on the approved tool list. All fresh
flowers, foliage, and additional supplies will be provided by ISFA. Any of the supplies may be
used in any or all designs. No background or display items may be used on any design, unless
provided by ISFA. ANY CONTESTANT USING ANY PRODUCT OR SUPPLIES NOT ON THE TOOL
LIST OR PROVIDED BY ISFA WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Once your paid registration is received, you
will receive the tool list and rules via email.
5. DESIGN CATEGORY DETAILS: Each contestant will be given identical flowers, greens,
accessories, and containers to work with. Contestants may use any of the materials provided to
complete their designs. Contestants may use as little or as much as they choose. The bridal
piece must be designed to be carried by a model and be detachable from the stand for final
judging. Additional details for each category may be provided during the Lotus Cup briefing.
6. JUDGING: Prior to judging, the judges will be given an envelope containing the rules and
score sheet. The judges will consist of qualified professional floral designers. The judges will
only have access to their own tally sheets and will judge each design for its individual merit.
Upon completion of judging, each judge will place all his/her tally sheets in an envelope and
give it to the Lotus Cup Chairman.
A points system will be used with a possible 100 total points given to each design by each judge.
Designs will be judged based on twenty categories. A maximum of 5 points may be given for
each category. Point scale: 1 Poor, 2 Fair, 3 Average, 4 Good, and 5 Excellent. If a tie-breaker is
needed, points awarded for the Sympathy category will be eliminated. A score sheet will be
sent out to all competitors one week prior to the competition.
6. Results will be announced at the Banquet/Awards Dinner on Saturday evening. Designer’s
must be present to receive their award.
7. DISPLAY: The designs will remain in place to be viewed throughout the
weekend. Contestants must remove their designs between 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday.
8. DESIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN A PUBLIC VIEWING AREA. ISFA OR THE HOST VENUE WILL
NOT BE RESPOSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR THEFT.
9. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND IF A CONTESTANT DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR COMPETITION
For more information, please contact Courtney Turner AIFD, CFD, EMC, ICPF at
athymelessbloom@yahoo.com or 224-805-2056
The contest will be held on Friday, March 10, 2022
2023 Lotus Cup Competition March 10, 2023 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The entry fee is $175
and includes one dinner ticket to the Banquet/Awards dinner on Saturday March 11, 2023. It
must be received by February 20, 2023. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE PERMITTED.
Contest Description:
Contestants will be given 3 hours to complete 3 designs on-site. The three design categories will
be: Wedding, Sympathy, and Surprise Package. The designer with the top combined score will
become the 2023 Lotus Cup Winner.
Prizes:
Certificates and ribbons will be given to first place in each category.
Designer of the Year:
First Place Overall Winner receives a certificate and the beautiful Lotus Cup trophy to keep. In
addition, the winner will receive $500.00 toward registration to represent Illinois State at the
2023 Sylvia Cup at the Society of American Florists Annual Convention. Travel, hotel and any
remaining registration fees will be at the designer’s expense. The winner will also be invited to
teach a hands-on class at ISFA’s 2024 Annual Event with product and a $300.00 stipend
provided. Travel and accommodation for this event will be at the winner’s expense. If the
winner is not a floral educator, they will receive an ISFA education team member to assist.
First Runner-Up Overall receives a certificate and second place ribbon.
Second Runner-Up Overall receives a certificate and a third place ribbon.
If the Lotus Cup winner is unable to fulfill their responsibilities, the responsibilities will be
fulfilled by the first runner-up or second runner-up, in that order.
Rules:
1. ENTRY: Contest is open to any active florist within the floral industry. Employees or family
members of the Lotus Cup Chairperson are ineligible to compete. Individuals are not eligible to
compete within 1 year of winning the Lotus Cup.
2. Contestants must preregister for the competition by February 20, 2023.
3. Contestants must report to the Lotus Cup Chairperson 30 MINUTES BEFORE the start of the
contest for a required briefing and instructions. At this briefing, each contestant will draw a
sealed envelope containing three identification numbers selected at random, one number for
each design category. At 8:00 AM, the designers will be allowed into the design room and will
have one hour to check the materials provided and prepare. The competition will begin at 9:00
AM and will conclude at 12:00 PM. The Lotus Cup Chairperson will retain a master sheet
containing each contestant’s name and identification numbers. No one other than the Designer
of the Year Chairperson will have access to this document.
4. Contestants may only bring tools and listed materials on the approved tool list. All fresh
flowers, foliage, and additional supplies will be provided by ISFA. Any of the supplies may be
used in any or all designs. No background or display items may be used on any design, unless
provided by ISFA. ANY CONTESTANT USING ANY PRODUCT OR SUPPLIES NOT ON THE TOOL
LIST OR PROVIDED BY ISFA WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Once your paid registration is received, you
will receive the tool list and rules via email.
5. DESIGN CATEGORY DETAILS: Each contestant will be given identical flowers, greens,
accessories, and containers to work with. Contestants may use any of the materials provided to
complete their designs. Contestants may use as little or as much as they choose. The bridal
piece must be designed to be carried by a model and be detachable from the stand for final
judging. Additional details for each category may be provided during the Lotus Cup briefing.
6. JUDGING: Prior to judging, the judges will be given an envelope containing the rules and
score sheet. The judges will consist of qualified professional floral designers. The judges will
only have access to their own tally sheets and will judge each design for its individual merit.
Upon completion of judging, each judge will place all his/her tally sheets in an envelope and
give it to the Lotus Cup Chairman.
A points system will be used with a possible 100 total points given to each design by each judge.
Designs will be judged based on twenty categories. A maximum of 5 points may be given for
each category. Point scale: 1 Poor, 2 Fair, 3 Average, 4 Good, and 5 Excellent. If a tie-breaker is
needed, points awarded for the Sympathy category will be eliminated. A score sheet will be
sent out to all competitors one week prior to the competition.
6. Results will be announced at the Banquet/Awards Dinner on Saturday evening. Designer’s
must be present to receive their award.
7. DISPLAY: The designs will remain in place to be viewed throughout the
weekend. Contestants must remove their designs between 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday.
8. DESIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN A PUBLIC VIEWING AREA. ISFA OR THE HOST VENUE WILL
NOT BE RESPOSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR THEFT.
9. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND IF A CONTESTANT DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR COMPETITION
For more information, please contact Courtney Turner AIFD, CFD, EMC, ICPF at
athymelessbloom@yahoo.com or 224-805-2056