Deborah De La Flor is without question one of the best ambassadors for the floral industry. Her passion and enthusiasm are unparalleled and her ability to connect with others about the flowers she loves so much is unmatched. This passion has taken her literally, around the world sharing her love for the industry through design presentations, seminars, competitions and commentary.

 

In 1983 Deborah was named the Greater Miami Designer of the Year & Florida State Designer of the Year and so began her journey in the floral industry.

 

Deborah realized her dream in 1986 with the opening of De La Flor Florist in Davie, FL, and with that tiny storefront shop she blossomed into one of South Florida’s premiere florists. She is a member of FTD’s Design Instructor and Education Team.  Deborah was inducted into the prestigious American Institute of Floral Design in 1996 and is currently on the AIFD membership committee. In 2006 she was inducted into the Professional Floral Communicators – International and is currently serving on PFCI Board of Trustees.

 

The awards and accolades Deborah has accrued are numerous and include, first place in all categories in the Gateway of the Americas competition in 1999, first runner-up at the 2000  FTD Americas Cup Final in Atlanta and winner of the FTD First Annual Great Masters Design Competition that same year . September 2004 she was chosen to represent the United States in the Interflora World Cup of Floral Design in Melbourne Australia. She received a first  runner-up in the 2006 SAF Sylvia Cup. Deborah was honored with the 2007 “National Place in the Sun” award from the Florida State Florist Association. Deborah presented on the main stage at the 2009 AIFD symposium titled “Imagine” in Kansas City . In 2010 & 2011 she took first place in the Sunshine Cup Competition at the Florida State Florist Association convention. Deborah was once again a main stage presenter at AIFD symposium 2013 in Miami titled “Emotions”.

 

Deborah and her husband Gus, moved De La Flor Gardens to Cooper City, FL in 2000 and in 2006 opened a second location in Southwest Ranches to house their landscape nursery. Deborah has published a book on corsage and boutonniere design – titled “Florsages”.

 

Her knowledge of the industry as well as her ability to anticipate and influence the latest floral trends has led to consulting work for some of the floral industry’s biggest names such as Passion Growers, Syndicate Sales, Dole Fresh Flowers, Vista Flor, Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flowers, Inc. and many others.