John DiJulius, a customer service expert who has consulted with Ritz-Carlton hotels, the Lexus automobile company, Nordstrom's department stores, Progressive Insurance and other companies, will be the keynote speaker at the annual International Floriculture Exposition.

NORCAL, the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers, has announced dates for its 2012 membership meetings. For the first time, the meetings will be held in the three major growing regions of the state, according to a news release, making the sessions more accessible to the association’s 600 members.

With a slow start to the 2012 market, bad weather in Mexico, decreased production in Texas and great winter weather in southern Georgia, this year’s Vidalia onion crop could have clear sailing to a strong market. But Kevin Hendrix of Hendrix Produce in Metter, GA, can still sympathize with onion growers in other areas.

Vidalia Sweet Onion Petals are the latest offering to the Vidalia Brands line, a subsidiary of Bland Farms.

Vidalia onion se

Steve Roberson

Steve Roberson of Roberson Onion Co. in Hazlehurst, GA, sold his first Vidalia onion in 1980.