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In This Issue 11-5-13

WF&FSA 2014 Calendar - Check Out These Events

  

  

  

October 22-24, 2014

National Trump Resort, Miami, FL

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  WF&FSA and Fuelman can help you simplify the process of controlling fuel and maintenance purchases. Fuelman makes it easy to monitor spending and identify hidden costs, such as unauthorized fueling. The savings can quickly add up -- with average annual savings of 10%. There is no application fee and no annual fee. In addition, as a member of the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association you will receive a two-cent ($0.02) discount off of the posted retail price for all fuel purchases. There are no weekly or monthly fees! You'll only pay for authorized fuel purchases. Upon approval, Fuelman will help you set up purchasing controls for your vehicles and drivers, as well as provide training and assistance to help your company get started quickly. Read more. 

WF&FSA's President is Tom Figueroa, Nordlie Inc., Warren, MI

WF&FSA's Executive Vice President is Trish Lilly


So, What's New With You?

 

We'd like to know what's new with you and your company. Do you have any organizational changes? Have you changed your address? Added a new product line? Introduced a new product? Just send your information into WF&FSA at [email protected]. If you like, to simply the process, you may use the attached form. Or, just add us to your press release list. Email your press release to the email address above or send it to WF&FSA, 105 Eastern Avenue, Suite 104, Annapolis, MD 21403. We look forward to hearing from you! 

 

For more information on WF&FSA Events & Programs, visit  www.wffsa.org

 
2013 Conference Banner

 anotherANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE AT WF&FSA FLORAL DISTRIBUTION CONFERENCE!

 

The numbers again climbed with WF&FSA reaching new heights at the annual Floral Distribution Conference. More than 750 attendees visited the table tops, participated in the education programs and enjoyed the networking opportunities provided at the Doral. Despite the fact that major construction was underway, the WF&FSA attendees showed their flexibility (and patience) throughout the week. We recognize that this major renovation right in the middle of our meeting was inconvenient at times and we thank all of our participants for their understanding.  

presidentTOM FIGUEROA ELECTED PRESIDENT OF WF&FSA

Tom Figueroa, Vice President/Branch Manager, Nordlie Inc. in Warren, Michigan was elected President of WF&FSA at its recent meeting in Miami. During his acceptance speech, he encouraged members to get involved in WF&FSA by volunteering their talents through WF&FSA committee and task group service.  

 

Learn more here. 

officeNEW WF&FSA BOARD TAKES OFFICE

 
Joining President Tom Figueroa, Alan Tanouye of Floralife was elected First Vice President. New Board members include Tim Dewey of Delaware Valley Floral Group, Tom Logue of Pennock, and Rob Shibata of Mt. Eden Floral.

LTKJIM WANKO RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS LTK AWARD

Former WF&FSA Executive Vice President, Jim Wanko, was recognized for his service in the floral industry and to WF&FSA when he was presented with the LTK Award. Jim encouraged all members to commit to their passion for flowers.

Learn more here. 
floristSOMETHING NEW FLORIST, GIFTS AND EVENTS RECEIVES RETAIL FLORIST OF THE YEAR 2013 HONOR

Something New Florist, Gifts, and Events, Canfield, Ohio, was honored as the recipient of the eleventh annual Retail Florist of the Year award, sponsored by the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA) and Florists' Review magazine. Something New was recognized at the annual WF&FSA Floral Distribution Conference in Miami, Florida in late October.

 

Learn more here.  

Commercials were introduced at this year's Floral Distribution Conference during the "WF&FSA Today Show" and the first-ever WF&FSA Commercial of the Year was awarded to the Pete Garcia Group.  Their clever take on vase selection was entertaining and a crowd-pleaser.  Terrific commercials were also submitted by Mayesh Wholesale Florist, HyCallas and Design Master.  Kudos to all for their creativity!

sponsorsWF&FSA SENDS A SHOUT OUT TO ITS SPONSORS

 

WF&FSA appreciates the support of its meeting sponsors and sends a shout out to all who supported this Conference. They include:

  • Asocolflores - Sponsors of Thursday's Breakfast and the WF&FSA Today Show - a big thanks for their major support of this event!
  • Liberty Blooms - Room Keys
  • Pete Garcia Company - Three commercials (including the winner!)
  • Armellini Express Lines, Inc. - Golf Tournament
  • Mayesh Wholesale Florists, Inc. - Commercial
  • Simpson's Greens & Floral Distributors, Inc. - Lanyards
  • Syndicate Sales - Opening Reception Flowers
  • Ocean View Flowers - Hats
  • Design Master - Commercial
  • HyCallas - Commercial

Learn more here.

hospitalityHOSPITALITY SUITES OFFER A FUN, CASUAL NIGHT FOR ALL ATTENDEES

 

WF&FSA hospitality suites are always a big attraction at the meeting. This year's hosts provided a fun evening for everyone. A special thanks to the hosts:

  • Choice Farms    
  • Continental Farms          
  • EIJ Industries
  • Esmeralda Farms, Inc.
  • Equiflor (Rio Roses)
  • Fresca Farms
  • Golden Flowers               
  • Miaflora Farms
  • Pete Garcia Company   
  • Rosaprima          
  • Royal Flowers

flowersTHANK YOU FOR THE FLOWER DONATIONS!

 

Once again, WF&FSA members generously donated product to create both the designs used in meeting rooms and for use during Kevin Ylvisaker's design program. We are so grateful for their assistance and the beauty they added to our program.  

 

 Check out our donators here.   

paceWF&FSA TODAY SHOW KEEPS THE PACE MOVING!

 

This year's Opening Session was unveiled as the WF&FSA Today Show, featuring anchor Ramiro

Penaherrera who kept the pace moving. Brady Lo of Penang Nursery and Shaunn Alderman of Floral

Business Magazine focused on Rediscovering the Independent Grocer, Alvaro Crespo of Lihmil and Mark

Dubner of Esmeralda on Rediscovering the Retail Florist and Barry Gottlieb of Rosaprima and TGIF for a

presentation on Rediscovering your Management Skills. These were combined with the presentation of

the LTK and Retail Florist of the Year Awards, WF&FSA business and the newly-introduced commercial

segments. Great job by all!

livelyGENIUS BAR FEATURES LIVELY DISCUSSION

 

WF&FSA have brought together a group of leaders in our industry to talk about a variety of industry issues ranging from what the wholesaler of the future will look like, technology and how they would invest $100,000 in their companies. Alan Tanouye, North American General Manager for Floralife, a division of Smithers-Oasis moderated the session. The WF&FSA "Geniuses" were:

 

Bill Lafever, President of Bill Doran Company in Rockford, Illinois

David Garcia, President of Floramart in Atlanta, Georgia

Tom Figueroa, Vice President of Nordlie, Inc. in Warren, Michigan

And Kelle Cantafio, President of Esprit Miami right here in Miami

 

Thanks to the WF&FSA Geniuses for sharing their insight with the audience!

workshopWORKSHOPS FOCUS ON KEY ISSUES

 

WF&FSA afternoon workshops focused in four key areas:

  • Rob Shibata, President of Mt. Eden led the group through a program entitled, Margins - the Key to Profitability. Participants worked in groups to determine how the decisions they made impacted margin.
  • Yvonne Ashton, Marketing Director for Mayesh, shared the secrets of social media success.
  • Jim Anderson, Vice President Government Relations for the National Association of Wholesalers shared insight on the Affordable Care Act.
  • Julie Lergier of UPS discussed the need for careful supply chain management.

kevinKEVIN YLVISAKER SHARES DESIGN TRENDS AND RETAILER INSIGHT


Kevin Ylvisaker, AIFD, shared fascinating insights, not only on design trends for 2014, but also through a survey of retailers that he conducted prior to the session. Kevin's in-depth presentation, sprinkled with the revealing survey results kept the crowd riveted during his program.


To view his slide show, click here.

conference2014 FLORAL DISTRIBUTION CONFERENCE

 

Mark your calendars now for a return to the Doral in Miami in 2014 - October 22-24! See you there.

storyRAISING AWARENESS WITH A SINISTER, YET SUCCESSFUL, STORY! 

 

AFE has launched a fresh and eye-opening approach to raising awareness through a shocking new video titled "Murder, Sex, Greed." Watch the custom animated short video and see how murder, sex and greed describe solutions AFE-funded research has unearthed, from controlling and eliminating pests and diseases to solving breeding and genetic issues. Dwight Larimer, Past President of WF&FSA and President of Design Master, shared this masterpiece with delegates during the WF&FSA Today Show.

 

And this just in - The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is still up to  murder, sex and greed, this time with a new research report. In the report, scientists from the Entomology Research Laboratory at the University of Vermont (UVM) describe how they allured and then murdered western flower thrips through an inexpensive non-chemical pesticide system that is easy to use.

 

Thrips are deadly for ornamentals, causing substantial economic loss by damaging flowers and leaves or transmitting plant viruses, and most chemical insecticides have proven to be ineffective at controlling thrips. Report #216: Formulations of Insect-Killing Fungi in Combination with Plant-Mediated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Systems for Thrips describes an innovative strategy that uses marigolds in combination with other suppression tactics to manage this persistent pest.

 

Read full article here.  

buyersNEW STUDY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON PURCHASING BARRIERS FOR NON-FLOWER BUYERS

 

The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) has released results from a study that provides new data about the  barriers to and motivations for purchasing flowers. One interesting finding was that eight in 10 adults surveyed do not plan on buying flowers in the next 12 months. Could price incentives, coupons, discounts, lower shipping offers or guarantees for vase life and delivery times change this? Read more. 

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