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convention preview
Upcoming national and international floral conventions provide plentiful
educational and networking opportunities.
by Kelsey E. Smith
International Floriculture Expo
June 22-25
Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami Beach, Fla.
“Connecting the industry, from seed to shelf,” as its
theme states, this renamed exposition (formerly The Super Floral Show)
serves all segments of the floriculture cycle, showcasing live products
and the equipment, technology and education necessary for cultivating
and retailing. An expanded educational program includes a preshow day of
education, which returns after being eliminated last year, as well as a
session every hour during the exhibition. Visit
www.floriexpo.com, or call (207)
842-5508.
SAF Growth Solutions Conference
June 23-24
Hilton Anatole Dallas
Dallas, Texas
This new, fast-paced mini conference is offered
exclusively to floral shop owners and managers by the Society of
American Florists (SAF). It will address issues of the postrecession
retail landscape and ways to engage the next generation of flower
buyers. Visit
www.safgrowthsolutions.com, or call (800) 336-4743.
AIFD National Symposium
July 3-8
Marriott Copley Place
Boston, Mass.
The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and
the AIFD Foundation will present a floral “Revolution” in this
installment of the annual symposium, featuring stage presentations by
floral design artists from the United States, Canada, Mexico, England,
Germany, France and South Korea. Also, more than 100 aspiring designers
will participate in an AIFD Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE)
session, as they strive to achieve AIFD’s new Certified Floral Designer
(CFD) designation and ultimately an invitation to become an accredited
member of AIFD.
Symposium attendees may opt to stay an additional day
and participate in a hands-on workshop featuring German designer Gregor
Lersch.
The AIFD National Symposium is open to all floral
industry and special-event professionals, regardless of AIFD
affiliation. Visit www.aifd.org, or
call (410) 752-3318.
OFA Short Course
July 10-13
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio
Celebrating “The Heart of Horticulture,” this annual
event, sponsored by OFA—An Association of Floriculture Professionals,
will include approximately 130 educational sessions, tours, workshops
and idea exchanges. Education tracks will be offered for florists,
growers, garden centers, interior plantscapers, young industry
professionals and managers/marketers. Approximately 600 companies will
showcase the latest innovations in plant material, equipment, products
and services in the 1,500-booth trade show. The expanded garden center
segment programming includes three new areas: Garden Center Live!
Merchandising Contest; Garden Center Live! Merchandising Concepts; and
Garden Center Live! Interactive. Visit
www.ofa.org, or call (614) 487-1117.
The Independent Garden Center Show (IGC)
Aug. 17-19
Navy Pier
Chicago, Ill.
The IGC Show offers sourcing, buying, information and
education for thousands of independent garden center buyers and
executives. More than 600 suppliers will offer new and proven products
plus store fixtures, management systems and virtually everything else of
interest to the independent garden center community. Dozens of sessions,
workshops, tours and keynotes provide a comprehensive educational
program. Visit www.igcshow.com, or
call (866) 391-6220.
World Flower Council International Summit
Sept. 27-30
Rydges Hotel
Auckland, New Zealand
Highlights of the World Flower Council’s 27th
international summit, “Naturally New Zealand,” include a visit to a
Cymbidium growing operation, a Designers Day, and international
workshops and presentations. Also available are a five-night presummit
tour of the North Island of New Zealand and a five-night post-summit
tour of the country’s South Island. Visit
www.worldflowercouncil.org,
or call (480) 860-0906.
CanWest Horticulture Show
Sept. 29-30
Vancouver Convention
Centre
Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada
This event includes more
than 425 booths showcasing floriculture, nursery and landscape products.
Seminars will feature internationally acclaimed speakers and industry
leaders. Industry and garden tours are available following the show, on
Oct. 1. Visit www.canwesthortshow.com, or call (604) 574-7772.
SAF Annual Convention
Sept. 22-25
Omni Championsgate
Orlando, Fla.
Hundreds of floral
retailers, wholesalers, growers and suppliers are expected to attend the
126th annual convention of the Society of American Florists (SAF).
Seminars led by industry experts and the popular annual Idea Swap will
help attendees learn new ways to cut costs, increase sales, improve
customer service and more. Competitions include the “Outstanding
Varieties Competition” for growers and the “Sylvia Cup Design
Competition” for floral designers. Visit www.safnow.org, or call (800)
336-4743.
FlorEcuador • Agriflor
2010
Oct. 6-9
Cemexpo
Quito, Ecuador
Managed and organized by
the Ecuadorian Flower Growers & Exporters Association (Expoflores) and
HPP Exhibitions, the 13th edition of this biennial event offers
networking opportunities among exhibitors and visitors from around the
world, in every segment of the flower production chain. Farm tours and
an evening international flower party are among the highlights. Visit
www.hppexhibitions.com.
Horti Fair 2010
Oct. 12-15
Amsterdam RAI
Amsterdam, Netherlands
This horticultural
exhibition will feature innovations in technology, production, supplies
and trade/services by horticultural entrepreneurs and growers from
around the world. This installment of Horti Fair is divided into two
segments: Horti Tech and Horti Grow & Trade. Special-interest
pavilions—including House of Quality, House of Technology, House of
Software and Breeders’ Market—will showcase specific developments. Visit
www.hortifair.com.
FloraHolland Trade Fair
Nov. 3-5
Aalsmeer Flower Auction
complex
Aalsmeer, Netherlands
Cooperative flower auction
Flora-Holland offers grower displays featuring domestic and foreign
fresh flowers and plants. This edition of the international trade fair
begins several weeks later than it did in 2009 to better meet the needs
of FloraHolland’s suppliers and customers. Visit
www.floraholland.com.
International Floriculture
Trade Fair (IFTF)
Nov. 3-5
Expo Haarlemmermeer
Vijfhuizen, Netherlands
Taking place during the
same time as—and in close proximity to—the FloraHolland Trade Fair, this
new international flower and plant expo will unite buyers and suppliers
from each stage of the floriculture production cycle, showcasing live
products, dry floral products, trading, transportation and more. Keynote
conferences will highlight the educational program. Visit
www.iftf.nl.
Look for complete listings
of regional and state conventions as well as gift shows in the June 2010
Sourcebook, or click on “Sourcebook”
icon.
Contact Kelsey Smith at
ksmith@floristsreview.com or (800) 367-4708.
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