The Institute of Flowers (IOF), proudly supported by Positive2Work Skillnet, is set to make its most ambitious appearance yet at Bord Bia Bloom, bringing Irish floristry centre stage with a spectacular five-day celebration of creativity, innovation, skills development and industry collaboration in Dublin’s Phoenix Park from 28 May – 1 June 2026.
With sunny weather forecast for this year’s festival, Bloom 2026 promises to be a vibrant and inspiring showcase of Irish floral talent, attracting flower lovers, professional florists, aspiring creatives, media and international guests alike.
The Institute of Flowers, established to support and elevate Ireland’s professional floristry sector, will deliver an exciting programme of live demonstrations, interactive workshops, wearable floristry competitions, floral installations and immersive visitor experiences throughout the festival.
This year’s showcase marks a significant milestone for Positive2Work Skillnet and the IOF partnership, having supported more than 200 florists across Ireland over the last 18 months through a wide range of upskilling programmes, including Hand-Tied Bouquets, Wedding Floristry, Colour Theory, Sales for Florists and the hugely successful Blooming Business Masterclasses.
In addition to specialist floristry training, IOF members also have access to Positive2Work Skillnet’s extensive portfolio of leadership development and digital technology programmes, helping floristry businesses future-proof their operations and build resilient, modern enterprises.
Fionnuala McAuley, Founder of the Institute of Flowers, said: “Bloom 2026 represents an incredible opportunity to celebrate the talent, passion and professionalism within Irish floristry. Our collaboration with Positive2Work Skillnet has enabled hundreds of florists to access meaningful training and development opportunities that are helping transform careers and businesses across the country. This year’s Bloom presence is our biggest and boldest yet, showcasing not only floral artistry but the power of education, collaboration and industry support.”
Gráinne O’Boyle, Network Promoter, Positive2Work Skillnet, said: “We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with the Institute of Flowers at Bloom 2026. Over the past 18 months, we have seen first-hand the impact that upskilling can have on both individual florists and the wider industry. Over 200 florists have availed of our programmes delivering technical skills, business development, leadership and digital innovation. We are incredibly proud of the success of this partnership. Bloom provides the perfect platform to celebrate that success while inspiring the next generation of floristry talent.”
The IOF presence at Bloom 2026 will include two dedicated feature spaces:
- The Botanical Hub, a live education and engagement area featuring more than 20 hands-on workshops and demonstrations delivered by over 20 professional florists.
- The IOF Tent, an immersive floral showcase featuring live florist stations, wearable floral creations and an interactive floral map of Ireland celebrating the reach and growth of the Institute nationwide.
One of the standout moments of the festival will take place on Thursday 28 May during Bloom’s official press and stakeholder day, when Maaike van Koldam will attend alongside her delegation. Positive2Work Skillnet will present a bespoke floral piece created by an IOF florist using techniques developed through training programmes, a powerful demonstration of how professional development translates into real-world creative excellence on a national stage.
The festival will also feature international collaboration through the participation of Diana Toma, COO of the European Master Certificate, who will work directly with Irish florists during the Bloom build phase and deliver specialist workshops throughout the event.
With more than 65 florists participating, live demonstrations across five days, a major judged floral installation targeting Gold Medal standard and extensive media coverage anticipated throughout the festival, Bloom 2026 is set to be a landmark event for the Irish floristry sector.
The collaboration between the Institute of Flowers and Positive2Work Skillnet continues to demonstrate how strategic investment in professional development can strengthen industries, support SMEs and create exciting new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike.
For further information, please contact:
Mark Brennan
Positive2Work SKillnet
mark@p2w.ie
085 1745779
About Positive2Work Skillnet
Positive2Work Skillnet is a multi-sector business network supporting companies of all sizes through subsidised upskilling programmes. The network designs and delivers responsive, flexible training solutions focused on leadership development, management capability, digital skills and workforce resilience across a broad range of industries.
About the Institute of Flowers www.instituteofflowers.com
The Institute of Flowers (IOF) is Ireland’s professional association for florists, dedicated to supporting excellence, sustainability, education and innovation across the floristry sector. The organisation provides members with training, networking opportunities and industry support designed to future-proof Irish floristry businesses.
About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 24,000 businesses and more than 90,000 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and five National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, Skillnet MMC Accelerate, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy and MentorsWork – across most sectors and all regions in Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. To learn more about Skillnet Ireland visit www.skillnetireland.ie
Skillnet Business Network search tool: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/our-networks/
