Sandy Stein to head FNGLA
President-Elect Sandy Stein automatically advances to head the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association in 2014-15 and other officers will be elected at the association’s annual meeting June 21 in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, an association news release announced.
The FNGLA Nominating Committee has made its recommendations for 2014-15 president-elect, Billy Butterfield, and secretary-treasurer, Robert Shoelson. Mike Marshall, the current president, automatically advances to become past-president in 2014-15.
Cultivate ‘14 florist-only program focuses on business management and innovative design techniques
AmericanHort’s convention and trade show, Cultivate ‘14 (formerly OFA Short Course), will offer a florist-only program at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH, July 12-15, designed to “strengthen your floral business,” according to an association news release.
This year’s show theme, “Here Comes the Bride,” offers stage shows, hands-on workshops, florist expo vendors, and opportunities to network with designers and discover ways to increase floral profits and attract new customers.
James F. Gaunt dies at age 86
James F. Gaunt, a floral industry leader and former owner of Southview Inc. Wholesale Florist (now Mayesh) in Romulus, MI, died April 26 at age 86.
Building customer relationships vital for evolving your business
Being in a fast-paced business, mass-market floral doesn’t easily lend itself to over-the-top customer service. Just having the fresh items we offer in stock is, in itself, a great service. But time restraints, store labor and departmental hours can hinder our relationships with customers buying fresh flowers. Having intentional customer contact is the first step to building those one-on-one relationships.
SAF August convention is month earlier than usual
Floral industry retailers, wholesalers and growers will learn how to “get more profit from their prices and sell with style” during SAF Marco Island 2014, the Society of American Florist’s 130th Annual Convention, Aug. 13-16 in Marco Island, FL, according to an association news release.
Some tips for avoiding the floral ‘summertime blues’
Just because it’s summertime does not mean there aren’t more floral sales to be had. All that is needed is a little creativity to attract customers into our floral departments. Here are some ideas:
June. More than likely there is a mega produce sale planned this month and there are several ways floral can tie in with that.
• Add buckets of single-colored flowers to enhance produce displays like yellow daisies, green spider mums, or orange Gerbera daisies to match the vegetables or fruits that are on sale.
AIFD to meet in Chicago July 3-7
Floral design artists from around the world will present stage demonstrations at the American Institute of Floral Designers 2014 National Symposium July 3-7 in the Windy City at the downtown Hilton Chicago.
Over 1,500 expected at FPFC South
Carissa Mace, president of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council in La Mirada, CA, told The Produce News that about 225 exhibiting companies at 194 individual booths, an expected crowd of 1,500, the 2014 Floral Achievement Award, a floral design contest and a keynote address by Capt. Richard Phillips, who was hijacked by Somali pirates and held hostage for five days in 2009, are all on the agenda for the Southern California Expo in Anaheim, CA, on July 15.
“Navigating the Future” is the 2014 trade show’s slogan and it’s the year’s biggest event for the FPFC.
Inside look at PMA Foundation Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference
I am brand-new to the perishables industry (six weeks to be exact) and as my boss enthusiastically explained, attending the 2014 Produce Marketing Association Foundation Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference in Phoenix would be my “baptism by fire” — nothing like jumping in headfirst to get acclimated to the water.
I had never been to a women’s conference, having worked for a large public company where most trainings were internal, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Strong spring holiday sales bring hope to floral industry segments
Growers, importers, wholesalers and supermarket floral centers are reporting strong sales for the April and May holidays.
Nick Fronduto, chief operating officer for Jacobson Floral Supply in Boston, summed it up when he told The Produce News, “The lingering winter in the Northeast, combined with a later Easter, resulted in softer sales in March leading into the Passover-Easter timeframe. However, sales were very robust for Mother’s Day and exceeded expectations, leading to a healthy net positive overall.”