Announcing
International Keepsake Conference
2007 January 29 th – February 1 st 2007
Las Vegas , NV

We live in an ever changing world. Gone are the days when the only memorabilia we can display in our homes are two dimensional. Gone are the days when keepsakes only contain flowers. Gone are the days when one method of floral preservation will suffice. Our businesses and our profits depend on being able to handle an ever diversifying world of flowers and other objects which people wish to have displayed in their homes.

This conference is dedicated to the art of displaying 3-dimensional items and floral memorabilia. Focused towards the diverse world of differing floral preservation methods, this conference is dedicated to the professional floral preservationist and the hobbyist alike. This year we are celebrating our 18 th and most spectacular conference ever. Brought to you by the IFDFA, this conference is the greatest show internationally and is presented by the industry recognized leading association dedicated to providing accurate and vender independent floral preservation information.

This year the conference will be delivering the following:

• Basic and Advanced information tracks: We will be providing 2 information tracks to give both short-term and long-term industry professionals new and valuable information
  
• Access to WCAF 2007, 10% discount on seminars: Not only will you have access to our normal vendors, Custom Display Designs, Inline Ovals, and others, but you will have access to the West Coast Art & Frame Show. This show is the industry's largest show in the West as well as the most talked about and fastest growing national trade show. With more than 600 exhibitor booths to see in 2007, attendees will get the year's first look at new products and images from a wide array of leading framing suppliers. Our conference has been scheduled to allow early arrivals to have a chance to even access WCAF framing industry seminars at a discounted rate, as well as dedicated time to visit the WCAF Trade Show Floor integrated into our conference schedule.
  
• Method Independence : Over the last 25 years, floral preservation has seen a variety of methods put into practice. This year, for the first time, this conference is dedicated to bringing together amateur and professional floral preservationists using all methods to achieve a forum where methods can be discussed and compared, practices can be improved and the entire keepsake industry can begin to focus on the big picture: Profitably producing high-quality, long-lasting keepsakes for our customers.
  
• Networking with Industry Professionals: Our association is lucky to have as members the highest concentration of professional keepsake floral artists in the country. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with these people and share business growth opportunities unlike any other forum.
  
• Included Meals and Great Room Rates: This year we have included 6 meals plus a fabulous reception which means less time spent waiting in lines for meals which makes for better time spent networking with other attendees and visiting the IFDFA Vendor Showcase. Additionally, we have negotiated a startlingly low room rate of $44.95 (+tax) per night during the conference. This translates into a $225250 savings over other 2007 Floral Preservation conferences' uncovered costs for meals and higher room rates, making the cost of attending the IFDFA conference between $50.00 - $100.00 per member.

This year the conference has been scheduled on weekdays to allow for our members to attend this event without interfering with their normal bridal show marketing activities.

Included in your registration packet you will find:

• The tentative agenda and session descriptions
• Conference Design Competition – Honoring Our Fallen Heros – Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Conference Registration Form
  
  
  
  

Tentative Conference Agenda

Monday 1/29 Daytime:

Early arrival access time for WCAF Conference Seminars

Monday Evening 7:00-10:00:

Welcome reception, Circus Circus

Tuesday 1/30/07:

8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast with Keynote Speaker
9:00: Know Your Flowers
10:00: 15 minute break
10:15 – 11:15: Preserving Problem Flowers
11:15 – 12:15: Efficient Workshop Tools and Workspace
12:15 – 1:15: On your own for lunch
1:15 – 6:00: IFDFA Vendor Showcase, WCAF Trade Show or WCAF Conf. Seminars at L. V. Hilton
Evening: Open time for L.V. Shows or personal arrangements

Wednesday 1/31/2007:

8:00 – 8:30: Continental Breakfast with announcements
Beginning/Advanced track break-out sessions:
Beginning Track:
8:30 – 12:00:
Building a Keepsake: Start to Finish
Advanced Track:
8:30 – 10:00: Advanced Mat Board Techniques
10:00 – 10:15: Break
10:15 – 12:00: Scrapbooking Techniques Applied to Keepsakes
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch, provided
Beginning Track:
1:00 – 2:30: Floral Preservation 101
2:30 – 3:00: Break
3:00 – 5:00: Preservation Equipment - Care and Maintenance
Advanced Track:
1:00 – 2:30: Advanced Color Enhancing
2:30 – 3:00: Break
3:00 – 4:00: Ribbon Techniques
4:00 – 5:00: Mounting Problem Objects
5:00 – 6:00: Rest and Relaxation:
6:00 – 10:00: Dinner, Business Meeting and Auction

Thursday 2/1/2007:

8:00 – 8:30: Continental Breakfast with announcements
8:30 – 10:00: Efficient Workshop tools and Workspaces
10:00 – 10:15: Break
10:15 – 11:15: Growing your business beyond Floral Preservation
11:15 – 12:00: Bridal Show Booth Ideas
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch, provided
1:00 – 1:30: Design Competition Final Judging results (must be present to win)
1:30 – 2:45: Motivational Speaker
2:45 – 3:00: Break
3:00 – 4:00: Conference Feedback and Wrap-up

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

GENERAL SESSIONS: Preserving Problem Flowers:

Description: Panel discussion of different methods for handling problem flowers such as tropicals, daisy family flowers, mums, etc. Bring your questions and issues to discuss with the panel of seasoned preservations.

Know Your Flowers:

Description: So, suddenly you have a bouquet of fresh flowers you've never seen before sitting in front of you. How do you ever get the flowers preserved properly if you can't even identify them correctly. Here's your opportunity to find out tools and resources that are free and available to assist you in properly identifying flowers and fillers. Included will be sources for recommendations on preservation method producing good or great results for each type of flower.

Session Length: 1 hour

BEGINNING SESSIONS:

Floral Preservation 101

Description: We've taken the base information in our “Freeze Dry 101” session and integrated it together with information that covers all methods of Floral Preservation. The intent of this session is to provide insight into how differing methods have their place in a business's growth, volume capabilities, and product diversity.

Preservation Equipment Care and Maintenance

Description: This session originally focused on periodic maintenance and some level of troubleshooting of problems with Freeze Dry equipment. It has been extended to include coverage on SandVac as well.

Track: General

Building a Keepsake: Start to Finish:

Description: An interactive hands-on session that takes the participants from taking the preserved flowers and other keepsake items through layout, cutting mat boards, preparation of flowers, mounting simple objects, closing and finishing of a keepsake.

Session Length: 3 hours Track: Beginning

Bridal Show Booth Ideas:

Description: Want to get more business? Then putting on a strong marketing image at your bridal show, looking professional is you best foot in the door. This session will cover ideas on low-cost booth designs, eye-catching displays, effective handouts, complementary show locations, and things to expedite following up with leads.

Session Length: 1 hour Track: Beginner

INTERMEDIATE SESSIONS:

Mounting Problem Objects:

Description: We are often asked to include large 3-dimensional objects such as cake toppers, unity candles, bibles, tiaras, etc. in displays. This session will address non-destructive heavy object mounting techniques that may broaden your repertoire of viable keepsakable objects.

Session Length: 1 hour Track: Intermediate

Efficient Workshop Tools and Workspaces:

Description: The success of any business depends on having a productive, efficient environment in which to operate. This session covers tools, workspace design areas, organization methods, etc. Ideas for workspaces within the home and multi-designer business environments. Additionally, suppliers and sources will be discussed for tools.

Session Length: 1.5 hours Track: Intermediate

Ribbon Techniques:

Description: Using ribbon in unusual ways. From edging objects with grosgrain, to fancy accents with sheers, wired, variegated, and silk ribbons, to methods of hiding the mechanics of keepsaking with ribbons.

Session Length: 1 hour Track: Intermediate

ADVANCED SESSIONS:

Advanced Color Enhancing:

Description: The why, when and how to of color enhancing, especially regarding the long term benefits. Spray and other techniques to deal with single and multicolor flowers. Treatment solutions for stem flowers with multiple florettes, such as orchids, glads, delphiniums, etc.

Session Length: 1.5 hours Track: Advanced

Mat Board Techniques and Ideas:

Description: Tired of the single dimensional mat board flat across the back of your keepsake? This session covers techniques which will make mat boards an active design element in your keepsakes. New innovative ways that mat board can be used to divide keepsakes into regions, elevate objects for added emphasis, etc.

Session Length: 1.5 hours Track: Advanced

Scrapbooking Techniques Applied to Keepsakes:

Description: There is a world of tools, and techniques that are transforming the hobby of scrapbooking in this country. This session will familiarize the attendee with the world of possibilities from stamping, foiling, and embossing, and how some of these more “fun” techniques can be applied to keepsakes.

Session Length: 1 hour Track: Advanced

Growing Your Business Beyond Floral Preservation: Moving into General Object Preservation:

Description: Since when did it make sense to lock yourself into a niche market. You are preserving memories, flowers are only part of the game. Heirloom objects, wedding gowns, christening robes, any special item can be mounted or preserved to expand your business opportunities:

Session Length: 1 hour Track: Advanced

This year, we are taking a new approach to the competition. In the footsteps of the PPFA design competition, we are having our entrants bring their submissions for the competition to the show. Entries will be on display during the conference for all to see and appreciate. Judging will be done during the conference with the winners being announced during our final wrap up.

THIS YEARS THEME:
HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM/ENDURING FREEDOM

The entries for this year's competition are to be Hero Military Memorial keepsakes. The theoretical premise is that you might have been contacted by the family or relative of a fallen hero wishing you to create a memory keepsake for them. The eventual disposition of these keepsakes is up to you. You may keep them as a marketing tool for further business, or offer them as a gift to the family of the Fallen Hero. We hope that by having our members compete in this Competition, they will be increasing the visibility of our trade to this potential marketplace.

Entries will conform with the following rules:

1. You may choose only a deceased soldier from either of the two above military operations. This person may be somebody you or your family knew personally, or from a neighboring town or within your State. If you have a connection, that is fine. If not, you may find a fallen soldier from the following sources:
Go to http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/search and set your State in the search criteria to find a soldier from your state that has been killed in combat over the last few years. You can select one of the soldiers found there and follow that link to get their photo and other details. Follow the legacy.com link on the bottom of any of the pages found above to get further information from that site or any other sites that are linked on those pages.
Go to http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com and get further information and possibly pictures or remembrances from people who knew the person to include in your keepsake Feel free to search additional locations through web search engines or other places to find more information or things to include in your memorial keepsake.

2. Your display may be either a shadow-box or domed frame style keepsake in a size about 11x14 or 12x16.

3. Your keepsake must include the following:

•  a. A picture of the Fallen Hero

•  b. A plaque, plate or other device which identifies the Hero, age, and other important information

•  c. A quote from somebody who knew the Hero that gives insight into the person

•  d. Some preserved flowers

4. Your keepsake may contain anything else appropriate, including items such as military
honors, etc. that you may have access to. Should you feel comfortable, you may even
contact the family of the individual, identify what you are doing and see if they wish to
provide any items. Of course, it should be clear that you are doing this pro bono on their
behalf and such items procured should be returned to the family or the keepsake donated
to the family after the competition.

The competition will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Degree of technical difficulty

2. Degree of creativity

3. Overall presentation including how well the display presents a thematic link between the individual and the items included in the keepsake

4. Quality of workmanship

Resources Available:

• Michelle Ritacco of Lasting Memories by Michelle has offered to Hot Foil Stamp any mat you purchase from her free of charge for the competition. In order to take advantage of this offer, orders must be received by Michelle no later than 12/31/2006. Contact Michelle at michelle@lastingmemoriesbymichelle.com or by phone at 651-686-0075. Limit one free hot foil stamping per business.

Prizes:

• The top 3 entries of the competition will be displayed on the Association's Web site for the following year with recognition given to the creator's name and business information.

• Additional prizes as yet to be determined.

International Keepsake Conference
2007 January 29th – February 1st 2007
Circus Circus Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Conference Registration (Please complete both pages)
Please Complete this form and return with check, money order, or credit card information in US Dollars, Payable to International Freeze-Dry Floral Assn.
Send payment to: IFDFA, c/o David Bianco, PO Box 580, Selma OR 97538

Company Name: Street Address: __________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ______________
Phone: ______________________ Fax: ____________________ Email: ___________________

Please register the following attendees for the above listed company:
Attendee #1:____________________________ Attendee #2: ____________________________
Attendee #3:____________________________ Attendee #4: ____________________________

WCAF Seminars:
Please visit the West Coast Art and Frame Show website at www.wcafshow.com to view their seminar descriptions and schedules for Monday 1/29/2007 and for the afternoon of Tuesday 1/30/2007. If you wish to attend any WCAF Seminars, such registration must be done directly with WCAF. To receive the 10% discount on seminars for IFDFA members it will be necessary to phone in your registration to 800-969-7176 and ask for trade show registration and mention that you are IFDFA Members.

* Prices listed are for the first attendee and each additional attendee from the same business. Price includes: All sessions, 7 meals, (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners) at an approximate comparable value of $125, West Coast Art & Frame 2007 Trade Show passes, and access to IFDFA Vendor Showcase.

** Full payment must accompany the registration form. To receive the lowest rate, forms must be postmarked by no later than the December 15th, 2006 deadline, and you must have renewed your membership prior to registration. Cancellations: 50% refund before January 1, 2007, NO refunds thereafter.

ROOM RESERVATIONS
Room reservations must be made directly with Circus Circus, Las Vegas at 1-877-434-9175. You will need to use booking code B011IFDF and that you are attending the 2007 IFDFA conference for the special room rate of $44.95 (+ taxes) per night. Reservations MUST be made with Circus Circus by 12/28/2006 in order to receive this special rate.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT:
Name on the card:__________________________________________________________________
Card Number:______________________________________________________________________
Card Type: _ Master Card _Visa _ Amex _Other
Signature:_________________________________________________________________________

Sessions Registration

So that we can adequately prepare and provide sufficient materials for all attendees, we are asking that each attendee specify which sessions they will be attending on Wednesday 1/31/2007. For Each Attendee, please only select ONE item for each row of the table.

Attendee #1 Name:

Attendee #2 Name:

Attendee #3 Name:

Attendee #4 Name: