AIFD National Symposium to celebrate milestone anniversary
Registration is now open for the American Institute of Floral Designers’ National Symposium, “Journey,” slated for June 30-July 4 in Denver, CO. The event will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the organization and a special celebration is planned.
“Every AIFD member’s journey is different,” said symposium coordinator Marie Ackerman in a news release. “And that’s the beauty of coming together each year and sharing techniques, best practices and inspiring ideas.”
An education in dual-purpose northern perennials
ROBBINSDALE, MN — Mike Heger, owner at Ambergate Horticulture Consulting in Waconia, MN, knows perennials and he impressed close to 60 enthusiastic gardeners, here, with his extensive plant knowledge during his presentation, “Best Performing Perennials for Zones 3 & 4” at the Hennepin County Horticultural Society’s April meeting.
IFE daily schedule of events
For schedule updates, the IFE website is floriexpo.com.
Monday, June 8
7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration
8-9 a.m. Education Session: “Flower Power! Explore Essential Industry Advancements” presented by Cindy Hanauer, Grand Central Floral.
9:15-10:15 a.m. Education Session: “Using Left Brain Strategies to Succeed in the Right Brain Business World” presented by Jay Goltz, Goltz Group.
CCFC reauthorized for another five years
The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently announced that a majority of the qualified producers of the state’s cut flowers and greens have voted in favor of the continuation of the California Cut Flower Commission for another five years, according to a news release.
IFE and United Fresh collaborate on Iron Designer Competition
The International Floriculture Expo and the United Fresh Produce Association will collaborate on the Iron Designer Competition June 9 in Chicago, according to a news release.
The IFE and United Fresh will be co-located with FMI Connect 2015 in 1,000,000-square-feet of exhibit space to bring together food retail, fresh produce and floral leaders from all segments of the supply chain.
Bloomaker expands; cultivates 98 jobs in Virginia
In May 2014, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe made the announcement that Bloomaker USA would increase its existing Waynesboro, VA, horticulture operations. Bloomaker, known for developing and patenting the new floral category “Long Life Flowers,” has invested more than $2 million to build a new greenhouse, creating potential for 98 jobs in the area and preparing to take annual sales from $10 million to over $25 million in five years.
Ecuador’s flower exporters exempted from 2015 pre-payment of income taxes
Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa signed an exclusion of advance payments for the fiscal period 2015 for flower exporters, according to a news release. The decision was made official through Executive Decrees 645 and 646, published April 3.
ASCFG provides education, excitement and eye candy
The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers is one busy organization. In fact, it would be hard to find another group in the floral industry this busy — from national conferences to quarterly Grower Intensive meetings to Growers’ Schools for beginning growers, plus an amazing magazine, The Cut Flower Quarterly, a research foundation, variety trials, a scholarship program, and a grower grant program — you get the picture.
AFE welcomes Lori Ostrow
The American Floral Endowment, based in Alexandria, VA, announced Lori Ostrow as its new communications specialist, according to a news release. Ostrow will work closely with AFE Executive Director Debi Aker on media relations, social media engagement, the quarterly bulletin, donor cultivation and website management.
Bachman’s Inc. creates floral beauty inspired by art at Macy’s Flower Show
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — As soon as the elevator doors opened on the eighth floor of Macy’s, here, the sweet fragrance of hyacinth, lilies, jasmine, peonies and thousands of other spectacular flowers permeated the air. Twenty-four truckloads of plants and flowers, arranged in 11 different gardens by Bachman’s Inc. and inspired by great works of art, created “Art in Bloom” March 22-April 4 at the Macy’s Spring Flower Show.