AMELIA ISLAND, FL -- The Toyota Tundra pickup truck parked on the lawn of the Ritz-Carlton resort Feb. 25 drew a crowd, as one might expect a pickup truck parked on the lawn of a Ritz-Carlton would. But this truck was not here by accident. In fact, it was a crowning moment of the 2012 National Watermelon Association Convention, held here Feb. 22-26.

Led by improvements in economic conditions, demand for flowers and potted plants is expected to pick up in the five years to 2017, according to Santa Monica, CA, market research firm IBISWorld.

Supermarkets and on-line retailers, rather than traditional independent florists, will likely capture much of this demand, leveraging their economies of scale to provide cheaper goods to cautious consumers. Furthermore, IBIS predicted in a statement, “permanent price declines will likely plague the industry” by keeping profitability low.

Jim Bartelson has resigned as executive vice president of business development and strategy at Blue Book Services to join Farm Journal Media as senior vice president of its database strategies division.

While Farm Journal Media serves the agriculture industry, it does not cover the fresh produce sector.

As of New Year’s Day, the National Mango Board began a transition in staffing roles, promoting three existing staff members and the adding two new team members.

Amy Mercado and Marilda Peele were promoted within the staff to director of operations and director of industry relations, respectively.