Competitors
The outstanding designers that met to compete in the 2026 Gateway to the Americas Cup.
The Gateway to the Americas competition is an invitational event. Competitors are selected very carefully in a number of different ways.
Some countries have their own preliminary competitions and send the winner on to Gateway. Other simply select a qualified individual to represent their county.
The Gateway Advisory Board is also constantly searching events, industry news and social media for amazing floral talents, and always looking for designers with a positive outlook who are always willing to share their knowledge and skills with others, using our extensive network of floral friends & colleagues throughout the world.
Only the very best and brightest stars are selected to compete in the Gateway Cup, and you can learn more about them below.
ANNA DEMENTIEVA
Ukraine
EULOGIO “GIO” BALDONAZA
Philippines
JENNY INGRUM
USA
ERIC LIN
Taiwan
STEPHANIE SCHELTINGA MELO
Brazil
BETH O’REILLY
USA
IOANA NECHIFOR
Romania
VIVIAN LIU
Canada
FABIAN SALCEDO
Panama
AMBER KIRKLAND
USA
ALEKSANDRA FLAK
Poland
SERENA ZIHAN LIN
China
MARU PADILLA
Mexico
JOHANNE MARTEL
Canada
NELSON GONZALEZ
Venezuela
JENNA SLEEMAN
USA
SUSANA ORTEGA
Colombia
BETTY REGALDO
Guatemala
CORAL SHORTT
South Africa
NORMA TORRES
Mexico