SAF mini-conference for florists June 10-11 in Chicago
The Society of American Florists will conduct a “retail growth solutions” mini-conference at the Hilton Rosemont in Chicago June 10-11. SAF believes it will be “36 hours that will change your life,” according to a news release. The two-day program will focus on increasing floral profits through pricing strategies, online branding, motivated employees and everyday designs.
VASIC multipurpose fresh-cut flower vase debuts
VASIC is a newly invented, multi-purpose vase introduced by Wet Ahoy Industries in Burbank, CA, and it is currently available in four styles (daisy, heart, iris and lily) and seven colors (canary yellow, ruby red, tangerine orange, robin egg blue, hot pink, kelly green and white).
Wet Ahoy Industries believes that VASIC’s design, practicality, ease of use and durability will revolutionize the way flowers are presented.
Memorial Day program honors fallen heroes
Volunteers throughout the United States will place donated roses on the graves of the nation’s war dead for the fourth year in a row this Memorial Day, May 26, through the Memorial Day Flowers Program. The Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association is one of the official sponsors of the program nationwide and also at Arlington National Cemetery where Boy Scouts will place roses on veterans’ headstones.
IFTEX Kenya exhibit space sells out before event opens
The 2014 International Flower Trade Exhibition is set for June 4-6 at the Oshwal Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, and its exhibit space sold out in March with over 165 exhibitors, a 25 percent increase over last year, making it the fastest growing floriculture trade fair in HPP Exhibition’s 30-year history.
The show brings together flower buyers, growers, breeders and suppliers from around the world. The total exhibition area is over 107,000 square feet and organizers are considering expanding the space to accommodate more companies.
FNGLA to give awards at annual meeting
Chet Peckett, owner of Peckett’s Inc. in Apopka, FL, will receive the Wendell E. Butler Award for service to the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association at the association’s annual meeting June 21. The meeting is part of the FNGLA’s two-day convention at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Purchasing Dramm gardening tools supports the Free to Smile Foundation
Each May the Dramm Corp., a leading manufacturer of watering tools, donates financially to a chosen a non-profit organization. This year it is the Free to Smile Foundation, with a portion of May’s retail sales going to the organization, according to a news release.
The Free to Smile Foundation is based in Columbus, OH, and provides free surgery to children and young adults born with cleft lip and palate who live in underserved areas of the world.
Capt. Richard Phillips to keynote at FPFC South
In his book, A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs and Dangerous Days at Sea, Capt. Richard Phillips says having his ship hijacked by Somali pirates was the most terrifying situation he had experienced in his 35-year career as a Merchant Marine. He will speak about the incident, and the lessons he learned from it, when he delivers the keynote address for the Southern California Expo of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council July 15 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
Paul Cappelluti Golf Tournament benefits Hind's Hospice
The Paul Cappelluti Golf Tournament fundraiser, put on by Stellar Distributing, started in memory of Paul Cappelluti, Kurt Cappelluti's father, and Judy Powell, former head accountant at Stellar Distributing, who both received exceptional care at Hind's Hospice in Fresno, CA, through their last days of life. Kurt said that customers and colleagues from the San Joaquin Valley and across the U.S.
IFE to draw over 225 exhibitors, 500 buyers, 1,500 attendees
“The efficiency of IFE cannot be beat,” said Bob Callahan, show director for the International Floriculture Expo. “In just four days, IFE brings in all the top floral industry buyers and suppliers to connect, educate, plan and see new products in a fun and entertaining environment.”
Find refreshment in midst of marathon
Running a floral department can sometimes feel like running a marathon. You start the year in January “carbo-loading” and warming up for the year’s business and quickly find yourself climbing a hill for Valentine’s Day. After mid-February you relax on the downhill path of March and then back up an even steeper hill for several spring holidays in April and May. You may “hit the wall” of floral fatigue after Mother’s Day and wonder if you have the energy to make it through Memorial Day. You feel exhausted — you need rest and maybe even a long vacation.