The results of The Gateway to the Americas cup Panama 2024:
- 3rd place: Shelly Huynh (Vietnam)
- 2nd place: Brenna Quan (Canada)
- Winner: Attila Németh (Hungary)
Congratulations to all 33 designers!
The vibrant city of Panama hosted the prestigious Gateway to the Americas Floral Design Competition. This three-day event brought together some of the most talented floral designers from across the Americas. The competition, organized by the renowned Deborah and Gus De La Flor, featured a series of tasks that challenged 33 competitors to showcase their creativity, skill, and deep understanding of floral artistry.
All Dressed in White for the Opening Ceremony
For the opening ceremony, almost everybody was dressed in white. A beautiful idea for this group of creatives. Competitors and their assistants, judges Hitomi Gilliam, Jacob Mc Call, and Ken Senter, all presenters and people present were wearing the color of light and glory.
Deborah:
"After doing floral presentations and teaching in North, Central & South America we fell in love with the beautiful florists in these countries and knew we should do something to bring the floral industry together"
Day 1: A Journey Into the Tropics
Task 1: The Tropics of Panama
9:00 AM to 11:45 AM
The competition kicked off with a celebration of Panama’s lush and diverse flora. Competitors were tasked with creating large-scale floral designs within a 4’x4’ floor space, with heights reaching up to 7 feet. All materials, including brightly colored tropical flowers, foliage, plant materials, and hard goods, were provided. The challenge was to capture the essence of the tropics, using the vivid hues and textures of Panama’s native plants to create designs that were structurally impressive and visually captivating.
Task 2: Bridal Bouquet
2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
The afternoon session shifted focus to elegance and precision with the Bridal Bouquet task. Designers were required to craft an elegant, cascading bouquet using only the freshest white and cream flowers, provided by the organizers. The twist? Competitors had to construct the armature or structure of the bouquet onsite during the competition, using hard goods they brought themselves. The final bouquets, with their cascading elements, needed to exude sophistication and timeless beauty, a true test of the designers’ ability to marry form and function.
Day 2: Romance and Carnival Spirit
Task 3: Romantic Evening - Intimate Table for Two
9:00 AM to 11:45 AM
On the second day, the competitors were asked to design a romantic table setting for two, perfect for an intimate evening. A low cocktail table with white linen was provided, but participants could bring their linens, table runners, or coverings to add a personal touch. The challenge lay in creating a floral centerpiece using soft pastel flowers in pinks, lavender, and peach, all of which were provided. No table settings—such as plates or glasses—were allowed, ensuring that the focus remained entirely on the floral design. This task was about capturing the essence of romance in a delicate and understated manner.
Task 4: Floral Fashion - Carnival Headpiece
2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
The afternoon brought a burst of color and creativity with the Carnival Headpiece challenge. Competitors were required to bring a pre-made frame for their headpiece, but all decorative elements, including jewels, feathers, and dried materials, had to be added during the competition. Fresh flowers in bright, vibrant colors were provided to enhance the headpieces, ensuring they were as lively and bold as the carnival spirit itself. The judges added an extra layer of scrutiny by testing the integrity of the headpieces on a model’s head, making sure the designs were not only beautiful but also wearable.
Day 3: The Final Showdown
Final Task: Surprise Design
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The final day of the competition was reserved for the top 10 finalists, who faced a surprise design challenge. The details of this task were kept secret until the moment the competition began, adding an element of suspense and requiring competitors to think on their feet and adapt quickly to the materials and theme presented to them.
Design Presentation and Winners Announcement
8:30 PM to 9:30 PM
As the judges deliberated, the audience was treated to a presentation of the final designs, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity on display. Finally, at 9:30 PM, the winners were announced, with the first-place winner receiving prize money sponsored by Oasis Floral Products USA.
Besides the competition, several of the best names in the industry were there to present their skills and bring more knowledge to all. Jenny Thomasson, Leopoldo Gomez, Hitomi Gilliam, and several others educated floral design next level.
The Gateway to the Americas Floral Design Competition in Panama was spectacular! A showcase of floral artistry, creativity, and technical skill. Each task was designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in floral design, and the competitors rose to the challenge, delivering stunning works of art that celebrated the beauty of flowers and the spirit of the Americas. Beautiful to see was how everyone rooted for one another. The camaraderie was most important.
