The economic recovery may be slower than many would like, but when it comes to spending on weddings and events, many people are happy to put down some serious cash.
According to a report by the Convention Industry Council, about 225 million people attend more than 1.8 million events sponsored by companies and associations every year. Hosting, attending, and exhibiting at events comprise 21 percent of corporate marketing budgets. American weddings, meanwhile, currently represent a $51 billion industry.
Yet for all the promise of weddings and events, there’s still plenty of woe, including the real challenge of getting a foot in the door and—once you land the job—managing details and client demands in a way that generates profit, not panic.
In response to members’ request for granular insight on event work, the Society of American Florists has created a number of special event-focused educational sessions at SAF Maui 2016. The programs will tackle specific issues and provide proven tips for overcoming common stumbling blocks.
Among the highlights:
- Day-dreaming about brides with floral/décor budgets in the five or even six figures? At Botanica International Design & Decor Studio in Tampa, Florida, that’s a reality. While their weddings may be super glamorous, the “secret” to their success is rooted in attention to detail and fine-tuned planning process. In “Work Smarter, Not Harder, On Events,” Creative Director Zoë Prosser Gallina of Botanica will show attendees how even the smallest staff can streamline processes, do more with less, and exceed customer expectations time after time.
- The stress and scale of events can lead even the most financially savvy florist down a path of waste and loss. Don’t let that happen, says Floral Management contributing writer and financial wizard Derrick Myers, CPA, CFP, PFCI. His program, “Eventology: The Science of Profitable Events,” will help attendees put profits in perspective and dish tips on how to protect yourself against profit-sucking unexpected costs.
Those are just two of more than 38 idea-packed programs waiting for you at SAF Maui 2016, Sept. 21-24 in Hawaii.
