Exhibitors mainly happy at WFE
Oren Shapiro had a booth along one of the main aisles of the World Floral Expo at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, and handled a steady stream of interested buyers at the show. Mr. Shapiro, president of Mrs. Bloom’s (Thai) Direct, pronounced himself satisfied with the foot traffic and the interest shown by buyers. “It was a great show for us,” he summarized.
Robert Ilsink, a director of Interplant Roses in Holland, was not unhappy with the show, but he wanted more. “There could be more people here. There could be more exhibitors here,” he said.
Floral trade show sponsor at home on industry stage
NEW YORK — Dick van Raamsdonk was only 24 when he staged his first flower trade show, in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1985. He was calm, with nerves of steel. It was when he came to his home country of Holland to put on his second show that he got stage fright.
“I was very nervous about opening a flower show in Holland, my native country,” he said at the World Floral Expo, here, almost 200 shows and three decades later.
New products in the limelight at international floral trade show
NEW YORK — New products such as green orchids and spray roses 100 or more to the stem in startling new colors and double-sized blossoms were introduced at the World Floral Expo, here, March 13-15.
Arie Van Vugt, president of Plainview Growers in Pompton Plains, NJ, is one of three growers in the United States licensed to use a patented Dutch infusion technology to produce brightly colored orchids. A blue orchid came out about three years ago; lavender, two years ago; yellow last year; and this year, he introduced a bright green orchid called Limelight.
Easter floral sales rebound predicted for 2013 holiday
Easter floral sales have been in a downward spiral since the recession began, but perked up in 2010 and should show further improvement this year when sales figures for March 31 are available, according to the consumer research firm Prince & Prince.
Still, the 2010 rebound did not return sales to pre-recession levels, the study released Feb. 28 showed that Easter has lost one-third of its “purchasing power” since 1966. And there are warning signs that floral retailers are getting out-hustled by those who market other products for Easter.
IFE to offer design contest, demonstrations
Soren Kaplan, author of Leapfrogging, will be the keynote speaker at the International Floriculture Expo on June 20, according to a news release from the show organizers, Diversified Business Communications Inc. Leapfrogging received the 2013 Axiom Best Business Book Award.
Great Lakes Floral Expo draws 500
The annual Great Lakes Floral Expo in Grand Rapids, MI, drew 500 floral professionals to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel March 1-3 for a bevy of awards, designer contests, five main stage presentations, seven hands-on workshops, nine business sessions and a tour of four area floral businesses.
The Olympic-themed expo drew growers, wholesalers and florists from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Bob Patterson, president of the Michigan Floral Association, which sponsors the weekend, termed it “a marvelous investment in the future of your business,” in a news release.
NORCAL CEO exits after seven months
John H. Dane, who began work as chief executive officer at NORCAL on Aug. 6, 2012, has left the organization after about seven months. The board president of the California association of flower growers and shippers, Patricia Mullen of Mayesh Wholesale Florists in Los Angeles, told The Produce News in a phone interview March 21 that the organization would begin a search process to replace Mr. Dane.
Amy’s Orchids is back from the floods and building a brand
NEW YORK — Amy’s Orchids is back in business after a hiatus of more than a year due to the worst floods in Thailand in 50 years and a poor economy. Amy, who goes by one name, said the reopened firm has offices in Thailand and Virginia and will still sell mainly to selected wholesalers and supermarkets. She was interviewed at the World Floral Expo show, here, March 13.
Fresh Summit floral pavilion is sold out
The Produce Marketing Association’s newly rejuvenated floral council has scored a hit with its first major project, a floral pavilion at the PMA Fresh Summit in New Orleans Oct. 18-20. At the March 6 meeting of the 30-member council in Dallas, the group learned that the floral pavilion had been expanded to hold 10 more companies, and space has been sold out.
Building customer relationships starts with excellent service
Building customer relationships starts with excellent customer service, which is the number one priority of every Hy-Vee employee. “A helpful smile in every aisle” is our brand, most especially in the floral shop. As florists, we touch every life-event that our customers experience, from the beginning of life to the end and everything in between. Flowers can say it all, so it is extremely important that we get it right every time for our customers.