ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Society of American Florists (SAF) is bringing its educational programs and events to members coast to coast in 2015, with five events aimed to help strengthen individual businesses and grow the entire floral industry.
The SAF 1-Day Profit Blast starts the year off on Sunday, Jan. 25 in Seattle, with a packed day of trend and profit-centric programming designed for retailers.
The SAF 1-Day Profit Blast is the newest addition to SAF’s educational line-up and an important part of SAF’s effort to make its high quality education accessible to as many retailers as possible.
The first Blast was held in Atlanta in October 2013, followed by another in Baltimore in January 2014. “It's just one day, and it costs less than $150 for an SAF member to attend,” said SAF CEO Peter Moran, adding that a big part of the event’s appeal is in the mix of the education offered: design trends, technology, sales and public relations.
Featured speakers and topics at the January Profit Blast in Seattle are:
Jerome Raska, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, Blumz…by JRDesigns in Detroit will show how to set your shop apart with a distinctive — and profitable — design style.
SAF CIO Renato Sogueco shows how social media and web strategies can improve your search engine rankings.
Shirley Lyons, AAF, PFCI, SAF president and owner of Dandelions Flowers and Gifts in Eugene, Ore., shares her secrets for being the go-to florist for the local media.
Tim Huckabee of FloralStrategies makes live calls to unsuspecting flower shops (volunteer yours!) to test their sales and service savvy.
“We look at what’s most successful at our annual convention, and then we try to see what that might look like in a one-day event,” said Moran.
Of course, that’s not the only upcoming SAF programming. In February, growers flock to get updated on the latest biological controls and integrated pest management practices, at the SAF Pest & Production Management Conference in Orlando, followed by SAF Congressional Action Days in Washington, D.C., where floral industry attendees advocate for the industry’s most important issues (and, this year, enjoy a special culinary treat: a former White House
Attendees of the 2014 SAF 1-Day Profit Blast, held in Baltimore, enjoyed a packed day of trends, tuning into live calls made to unsuspecting flower shops and trading ideas. All that and more is planned for the next SAF 1-Day Profit Blast, Jan. 25, 2015, in Seattle.
In June, SAF offers 36 hours of powerful education, in Hartford, Conn., with the SAF Retail Growth Solutions. Finally, in September, all industry segments come together for three-plus days of education and networking just outside of Jacksonville, Fla., at SAF Amelia Island 2015, the 131st Annual Convention.
“We are proud to offer our members the finest educational and networking events in the industry,” said Peter Moran, SAF CEO. “Our programs are designed to meet the needs of today’s busy floral business owner and are geared specifically for the retailer, wholesaler, supplier and grower.”
Mark your 2015 calendar and plan now to attend SAF’s events:
SAF One-Day Profit Blast
Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015
Seattle, WA
Conference hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport
Retail florists and staff get the nitty-gritty to boost their bottom line in an eight-hour program covering topics such as design profitability, customer service and search engine optimization.
SAF Pest & Production Management ConferenceThursday – Saturday, Feb. 19-21, 2015
Orlando, Fla.
Conference hotel: Rosen Plaza Hotel
Growers, greenhouse and nursery operators, pest control managers and academia discuss the latest in integrated pest management and can earn CEU credits.
SAF 35th Annual Congressional Action Days
Monday-Tuesday, March 9-10, 2015
Washington, D.C.
Conference hotel: Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, Arlington, Va.
Retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and growers tell Capitol Hill about their businesses and the floral industry’s legislative priorities.
SAF Retail Growth Solutions
Sunday-Monday, June 7-8, 2015
Hartford, Conn.
Conference hotel: Hartford Marriott Farmington
This 36-hour mini-conference for retail florists covers several business topics such as design profitability, customer service and more, and features a Tech Showcase.
SAF Amelia Island 2015 – 131st Annual Convention
Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 9-12, 2015
Amelia Island, Fla.
Conference hotel: Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
All segments of the floral industry come together for four days of education, networking, competitions, awards and honors, and to see new floral and tech products.
For details, visit safnow.org/events or contact SAF’s Laura Weaver at (800) 336-4743, ext. 221 meetings@safnow.org.
Source: Society of American Florists