xA new year and some fresh perspectives
xA new year and some fresh perspectives
It’s hard to believe it has been an entire year since John Niblock passed the baton (or should I say the bouquet?) to me as floral editor and floral sales manager for The Produce News. I want to thank all of the many generous floral professionals I’ve had the pleasure to meet and do business with in 2014, both at industry events and over the phone. Your willingness to share your expertise with me is really heartwarming and something for which I am truly grateful. I’ve learned a lot from you, even though I’m certain there is still much more to know.
As Mark Twain once said, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble; it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” So, with the start of a new year, and as Valentine’s Day approaches, it may be wise for all of us to heed Twain’s words and pay attention to other people’s perspectives, rather than relying solely on our own understanding. In dealing with a perishable product there will always be unexpected surprises, but listening to varied industry experts’ concerns may also reveal some personal blind spots.
This Outlook 2015 issue features eight professionals from key sectors of the industry sharing their thoughts about the year to come, plus our floral merchandising specialists, Karli Nelson and Denise McPartland, discuss merchandise planning for a successful Valentine’s Day.
In addition, we preview the upcoming Tropical Plant Industry Exposition in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and the World Floral Expo in Los Angeles. We also feature a calendar marking other industry events and holidays for 2015.
As I begin my second year as director of floral, I am interested in your reactions to Floral Marketing and I’m also curious about what topics you would like to see us cover in 2015. Since people don’t know what they don’t know, I am concerned that what I know for sure just ain’t so.
Richard Lutes is the floral editor and floral sales manager of The Produce News. He can be contacted at 763/595-9559 or [email protected].