Floral Bootcamp -June 4 | Expo June 5-6, 2025 • Broward County Convention Center • Fort Lauderdale, FL

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— North America's Largest B2B Floral Show —

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Iron Designer is the biggest and most energetic event at IFE. The competitors are challenged to create a design they best feel represents the theme with only the supplies provided and this year’s newly named flower. Adding to the excitement of the event, competitors are given only 20 minutes to complete their masterpiece. This year’s theme was Miami Vacation Vibes and the competitors had to use the newly named flower, Sarah’s Brush, within their design. Although there were numerous amazing arrangements, Steven Santos, AIFD, was crowned the 2021 Iron Designer Competition Winner.

Steven has been a designer, manager and owner in the retail sector. Steven competed in the 2015 Iron Designer Competition in Chicago where he was introduced to amazing people in the mass market and farm market. Soon after that, Steven became the Director of Premium Floral Merchandising for Albertsons Companies where he was in charge of creating their new premium floral department. After that project, Steven had the opportunity to join the Natural Flowers team and is now their Designer and Account Manager. Acquiring this role was always the goal for Steven in his career and now he is happy to be working for an amazing farm and company.

We caught up with Steven to ask about being involved in the competition, what advice he has for future participants and more.

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