All The News from Transflora and DVFG....AIFD Recap Edition

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"AFH" <[email protected]>
All The News from Transflora and DVFG....AIFD Recap Edition
July 12, 2010 2:29:02 PM MDT
"'Alvin Flowers'" <[email protected]>, "'American Agroproducts'" <[email protected]>, "'Amy
Neugebauer'" <[email protected]>, "'Angela Henry'" <[email protected]>, "'Atascocita Florist'"
<[email protected]>, "'Bloomers, Inc.'" <[email protected]>, "'BloomNet'" <[email protected]>, "'Blux
Glass'" <[email protected]>, "'Botanical Designs by Montgomery'" <[email protected]>, "'Brandon Wolf'"
<[email protected]>, "'Brenda McAfee'" <[email protected]>, "'BrookHollow Florist'"
<[email protected]>, "'Casey Pickney AAF'" <[email protected]>, "'Claybar Floral & Gifts'"
<[email protected]>, "'Cleveland Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Compton's Florist'"
<[email protected]>, "'Cornelius Florist'" <[email protected]>, "Courtney Stewart"
<[email protected]>, "'Cyndi Sharp TMF'" <[email protected]>, "'Dec It Out'"
<[email protected]>, "'Ed's Flower cottage of DeerPark'" <[email protected]>, "'Elaine's Florist
and gifts'" <[email protected]>, "'Ellison's Greenhouses'" <[email protected]>, "'Exotica The
Signature of Flowers'" <[email protected]>, "'Flora Bella Designs'" <[email protected]>, "'Florage'"
<[email protected]>, "'Flower Petal-R'" <[email protected]>, "'Flower Shop Network'"
<[email protected]>, "'Flowers by Adela'" <[email protected]>, "'Flowers of Kingwood'"
<[email protected]>, "Frances Egbert" <[email protected]>, "Francis Egbert" <[email protected]>,
"'Gilmore's Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Greenleaf Wholesale Florist'" <[email protected]>,
"'GreenWorld Wholesale '" <[email protected]>, "'Heights Floral Shop'" <[email protected]>, "'Houston School
of Floral Design'" <[email protected]>, "'J Scotts A Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Jason Holguin'"
<[email protected]>, "'Jim Johnson, AAF, AFID, TMFA'" <[email protected]>, "'Judith Williams-Lohmar'"
<[email protected]>, "karen Williams" <[email protected]>, "'Katy Flower Market'"
<[email protected]>, "'Kay-Tee Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'KD's Florist & Gifts'"
<[email protected]>, "'Killions Milam Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Kim Thompson'"
<[email protected]>, "'Kimberly Larson TMF'" <[email protected]>, "'Lana King'" <[email protected]>,
"'Lanell's Flowers and gifts'" <[email protected]>, "'Lary's Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'LC Floral Design'"
<[email protected]>, "'Lisa Marie's Floral Shop'" <[email protected]>, "'Loki Flower Garden'"
<[email protected]>, "'Memorial City Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Miles of Smiles'"
<[email protected]>, "'Neera Thakar'" <[email protected]>, "'Nora Anne's Flower Shoppe'"
<[email protected]>, "'Nora Cisneros'" <[email protected]>, "'Olive Tree Florist'" <[email protected]>,
"Over the top Florals" <[email protected]>, "'Pikes Peak of Texas'" <[email protected]>,
"'Radcliff, The Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Rainbow Floral Shop'" <[email protected]>,
"'Southern Floral Company'" <[email protected]>, "Taylor wholesale" <[email protected]>,
"'Temples Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'The Blooming Idea'" <[email protected]>, "'The SenterPiece'" <[email protected]>, "'vicki'" <[email protected]>, "'Weatherford Farms &
Greenhouses'" <[email protected]>, "'Wildflower Florist'" <[email protected]>, "'Williams Florist
& Gifts'" <[email protected]>
25 Attachments, 952 KB
Dear AFH friends – Thought you might enjoy reading about the AIFD National Symposium! Enjoy!
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I hope this email find you all well and attempting to cope with this crazy hot spell that has
had the nation in its grip recently. Wasn't I just complaining about the 3 feet of snow that
was falling a few weeks (months) ago? I recently returned to my home base from
Boston...site of the 2010 AIFD National Symposium. Despite the heat...it was probably the
best Symposium that I ever attended. I arrived on Saturday afternoon and immediately it
started to feel like "old home week" to me. That's pretty high praise coming from a guy that
lacks the design skills to be able to place a carnation in a Michelob bottle. However that has
never deterred me of being in awe of the most creative designers on the face of this planet!
AIFD was smart enough to cordoned off the show presenters from all of us well wishers so
they could keep to the task of getting their stage pieces ready for their show.
However...through "hook or crook" I was able to sneak in to see the design teams hard at
work. As a sponsor of Ty Leslie's presentation...they let me visit...but I had to promise to
"look & not touch". Besides, they didn't need a rank amateur slowing their work down.
Ty Leslie slaving in the work room before his presentation
The genius of Ty Leslie
Sunday, July 4th focused on the Partner's Expo during the afternoon where Transflora had a
table and our DVWF/Transflora team of Bruce & Eleanor Clevenger from Transflora and Dave
Falker, Laurie Lemek and James Watson from DVWF met with many old friends and,
hopefully, a few new ones.
Casey Murdough, Piper & Mom resplendent on the 4th of July Old friend Winnie Leenarts,
Pam's Posies
DV's Dave Falker & Carol Rio
The Plaza girls, Renee & Shannon, from Norristown, PA
Jacob McCall and the
delightful Deborah DelaFlor
Floralife's Jay Winnerman & Dave Falker
Dave Falker and his team outfitted their suite with some great DVWF product...artistically
decorated by Laurie Lemek AIFD and James Watson AIFD
The AIFD Symposium hotel was only a few blocks from the Charles River where about
800,000 of our "nearest & dearest" friends got together on the 4th to watch the most fantastic
fireworks display while being serenaded by the Boston Pops. Words can't describe the
beauty of the evening. We were so close that we actually felt the concussion from the aerial
blasts.
Monday morning brought presentations by Transflora sponsored Ty Leslie fantastic "The Art
of Dying". Now I'm cocky enough to tell you that we have some pretty amazing product.
However, it is what the artist does with it...that makes it great. Since George Mitchell
threatened to confiscate my camera if my flash went off during the program...we'll have to
wait until I get my hands on some photos taken by some good photographers. I first started
talking to Ty about his program about 2 years ago. Due to scheduling issues...we had to
wait until Boston to pull it off. Ty...it was well worth the wait. The flowers...the music...the
stage presence. In a word...Phenomenal!
On Monday evening, Ken Norman, AIFD and his talented crew put the floral touches on the
Retro Rebellion Awards/Induction Dinner & Dance. Funny...but the band was attired in '70's
period clothing that I once thought was extremely fashionable. The key word was "once".
Group Pic of some of the new inductees
New inductee Jeanna Furst &
Loann Burke of Furst Florist
Ty Leslie, post presentation time with Pam Rankin
Here are a few more pics to help give you the flavor of the AIFD Symposium...
AIFD's Tom Shaner assisting with registration
AIFD outgoing President
Tina Stoecker with some old guy
Jay Bortman with Transflora's Bruce Clevenger
Transflora's table at the Partner's Expo
Black & 1-800's Chris McCann
AIFD's Ann Jordan, Janet
Ty Leslie and Michael Skaff
Long time industry friend BJ Dyer presented the amazing "May the Force Be With YouHarnessing the Magnetic Storm". Here are a couple of his set pieces. This was another
"knockout" presentation. I would highly advise you to get the AIFD DVD's of the
presentation when they become available. The design talent and presentations at AIFD
Symposium is UNBELIEVABLE!
2010 Symposium DVDs Now on Sale!
Re-live all of the great design programs and memories made from this year's highly
successful Symposium! All of the design programs have been captured on DVD and are
available for you to purchase.
The DVD's will not be shipped until August but we expect them to sell quickly so don't wait
until it's too late, go to www.aifd.org to buy yours now!
***************************************************************
While at Symposium, I ran into one of my favorite people in Sharon McGukin. This is one
busy lady. Besides being the incoming President of AIFD...she is the author of "Flowers of
the heart". Here is a little synopsis of her book to whet your appetite.
"Every wedding is special and unique, regardless of size or budget. Flowers are an
important element when creating a beautiful wedding. Flowers set the mood and tone,
to be cherished for years in memories and photographs. In Flowers of the Heart,
Sharon gives brides an experts guide for planning their wedding with ease.
Covering each of the four seasons, Flowers of the Heart features full color photos of
bouquets and other wedding flowers. Along with advice on flowers, the book offers
professional tips from planning a traditional church wedding to organizing a
destination wedding. A special feature is bulleted/summary to-do checklists in both
English and Spanish. Additional topics include:
Organizing your wedding plan
Hiring your florist
Selecting your color harmony
Including children in your ceremony
Working within your budget
Brides will find inspiration for their own wedding from the detailed information and
pictorial guide, and florists will enjoy using the book as a professional resource."
For more information on Sharon's great book...visit her at www.sharonmcgukin.org.
************************************************************
Jon Gordon...From Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else
Every week when I get my latest & greatest from Jon...I say a little "thank you" to my friend
Erlene from Maine Bride for turning me onto Jon Gordon.
20 WAYS TO GET MENTALLY TOUGH
1. When you face a setback, think of it as a defining moment that will lead to a future
accomplishment.
2. When you encounter adversity, remember, the best don't just face adversity; they embrace
it, knowing it's not a dead end but a detour to something greater and better.
3. When you face negative people, know that the key to life is to stay positive in the face of
negativity, not in the absence of it. After all, everyone will have to overcome negativity to
define themselves and create their success.
4. When you face the naysayer's, remember the people who believed in you and spoke
positive words to you.
5. When you face critics, remember to tune them out and focus only on being the best you
can be.
6. When you wake up in the morning, take a morning walk of gratitude and prayer. It will
create a fertile mind ready for success.
7. When you fear, trust. Let your faith be greater than your doubt.
8. When you fail, find the lesson in it, and then recall a time when you have succeeded.
9. When you head into battle, visualize success.
10. When you are thinking about the past or worrying about the future, instead focus your
energy on the present moment. The now is where your power is the greatest.
11. When you want to complain, instead identify a solution.
12. When your own self-doubt crowds your mind, weed it and replace it with positive
thoughts and positive self-talk.
13. When you feel distracted, focus on your breathing, observe your surroundings, clear
your mind, and get into The Zone. The Zone is not a random event. It can be created.
14. When you feel all is impossible, know that with God all things are possible.
15. When you feel alone, think of all the people who have helped you along the way and who
love and support you now.
16. When you feel lost, pray for guidance.
17. When you are tired and drained, remember to never, never, never give up. Finish Strong
in everything you do.
18. When you feel like you can't do it, know that you can do all things through Him who gives
you strength.
19. When you feel like your situation is beyond your control, pray and surrender. Focus on
what you can control and let go of what you can't.
20. When you're in a high-pressure situation and the game is on the line, and everyone is
watching you, remember to smile, have fun, and enjoy it. Life is short; you only live once.
You have nothing to lose. Seize the moment.
**************************************************************
Sez You...
"Wow! So much information in this one. I love the Will Smith Quote. I also heard the SAF
conference was amazing and now I'm so sorry I missed it. OH and hey, what's wrong with
Monday Mornings? hehehe"
Georgianne, Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co
"Forgive my tardiness getting this note to you, no excuses, just a busy holiday relaxing!
Thanks so much for your time spent with us at the Midwest meeting in Big Rapids. We
always enjoy your expertise as well as the fun you bring! I do hope there is business
generated from the contacts. The CA product was great... a mini SAF show! We came back
from our meeting with lots of ideas...actually planning to try some new strategies. Bob
Negan gave us a good roadmap...we will see...July and August are dreadfully slow in this
industry as you well know. See you in September and hello to Maggie (try not to drive her
toooo crazy this summer! ) As always, the pleasure was ours..."
Dottie and Bob, Penny's Flowers, Glenside, PA
***********************************************************
Quotables
"Each man [is] the architect of his own fortune."
Appius Caecus
"It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are."
E.E. Cummings
"It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."
Bill Gates
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
Peace Pilgrim: born Mildred Norman
"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who
has overcome adversity."
Lou Holtz
"It's never too late to be who you might have been."
George Eliot
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle
************************************************************
Notables
In my last newsletter I mentioned that Bobbi Ecker Blatchford had a rose named after
her at the recent IFE show in Miami Beach. Here is a story that SAF's Amanda Long
wrote for her e-briefs that does much more justice to the rose-naming event.
"Given her unabashed love of flowers, picking a favorite can be a tricky decision for
Bobbi Ecker Blatchford, AAF, AIFD, PFCI. That choice just got a whole lot easier, thanks
to a rose-naming ceremony at this year's International Floriculture Show.
With hundreds of colleagues gathered at the Miami
event, breeder Preesman and the show's sponsors
unveiled 'High & Icon - Bobbie Ecker' to the
recipient's amazement and the crowd's delight.
"There is no one in this wonderful floral industry
more deserving than the Magnificent Ms. Bobbi," said
Deborah De La Flor, AIFD, PFCI of De La Flor
Gardens. She was one of several hundred who
witnessed the formal presentation - the pouring of
champagne and "baptizing" of the rose, a light peach
with darker edged variety.
Of course, as Ecker Blatchford is wont to do, she
gave her own signature flair to the presentation promptly taking off the lime green gerbera that was
attached to her hat and replacing it with her
eponymous rose. "I was aghast," said the former
florist, popular speaker, marketing consultant for
FloralPros and all-around industry champion. "This
was the first time a cut rose flower has been given the
name of someone in our industry, versus a celebrity. I
was completely floored."
Many would argue this honor doesn't break the
tradition of celebrity- naming rights, as just the
mention of "Bobbi" immediately brings to mind the
effervescent, industrious and hilarious designer and
presenter. She's won both SAF's Tommy Bright
Award and an Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry from the American
Institute of Floral Designers.
"Bobbi is the personification of a rose: She appears lovely and delicate, but is also
tough and hard working person - and she has a bit of an edge," said Robbin Yelverton,
AIFD, PFCI, of Blumz ... by JRDesigns in Detroit, who considers every show they do
together a wonderful adventure and education. "She is a fabulous ambassador for the
floral industry who only expects of you what she expects of herself: the best."
The official rose poster that appeared at the ceremony underscored Yelverton's
description.
"The bloom reflects rich tones of pink and salmon to match her rosy cheeks. The
variant petal shading mimics her curious nature and ability to grow and change. It is
fragrant to remind us of the scented blossom that always adorns her attire. Grafting it
on "wild" root stock does not overlook her ability to have a good time. Obviously, it
must have long vase life to represent her many years of service. And it's a big one
folks, to match that outgoing, flamboyant personality."
Rose naming is a venerated tradition in Europe where cut roses have honored and been
named for people of distinction including nobility and heads of state. In this country,
this tradition has been observed in garden roses.
The rose's grower is United Flowers, a division of Pressman, with farms in Bogotá,
Colombia."
****************************************************************
That's all for this AIFD recap edition. Our next newsletter will get back to norm with more
product info, etc. I just wanted to share with each of you a little "taste" of the AIFD
Symposium while it was still fresh in my mind.
There were so many great design presentations there that it will be difficult for AIFD to top it
in San Francisco in 2011. But they will...they always do.
We will now start to plan our activities for SAF's National Convention in September in
Orlando. I did a quick read through their program and it promises to be great, as well.
Sometimes we just need to get out of our shops and businesses and learn from others. I
have long lamented the fact that we don't have enough networking opportunities anymore.
We need to take advantage of the ones that are still out there.
Our continued thanks to all that have allowed Transflora and DVWF to be part of their floral
solution. We don't take our responsibilities lightly. We "get it" that each of our customers
has a customer that must be kept satisfied. We thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
We'd love to make this newsletter a little more interactive...so it you have a question or
concern...shoot me an email. I started sending out this weekly newsletter just about 4 years
ago. When I started...it was sent to 10 customer addresses. Fast forward to 2010...the
newsletter now goes out to over 2,000 inboxes! However, if we ever miss our mark and
you'd like me to stop cramming your inbox...send me an email and I'll take your off of the
distribution list for future newsletter. My lovely Maggie is the first to remind me that "Bill is
NOT for everybody" . Now if I don't hear from you...we'll probably do it again....maybe even
later this week.
Have a great day...and make every second count!
Bill