“The Premier Products Showcase is a fast-paced, fun and exciting show to whet your appetite with what’s new and happening in the floral industry,” said Jenny Behlings, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, SDCF, of Jenny’s Floral in Custer, South Dakota, who presented at last year’s circus-themed Premier Products Showcase and is presenting again at SAF Maui 2016.
At the Supplier Expo, attendees meet exhibitors and learn about new products and services — and take home inspiration for designs and displays.
Two popular annual events scheduled on the first full day of SAF Maui 2016, the association’s 132nd Annual Convention, Sept. 21-24, at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua in Maui, are the Premier Products Showcase and the Supplier Expo.
“Each year, we get to see, touch and handle all the products in a fun, relaxing, entertaining atmosphere,” said Shelley Pease, AAF, the owner of Shelley’s Flowers & Gifts in Waldoboro, Maine. “I have a chance to talk to the vendors and my peers about products that I may not know exist.”
The products preview begins with the Premier Products Showcase. “The thing I look forward to the most at the Premier Products Showcase is how the speakers showcase the new products in innovative ways,” said Pease, who is attending her eighth SAF convention.
D Damon Samuel, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NAFD, NMF, of the Bill Doran Company in Omaha and chairman of Professional Floral Communicators-International is one of the Showcase’s speakers. “We introduce attendees to the latest and best products from both highly recognizable companies as well as cutting-edge ‘new concept’ vendors,” Samuel said, “and to enhance the experience, attendees come away entertained and enlightened by the colorful commentary of the PFCI Board of Trustees.” The theme for this year’s session is collegiate — the University of PPS — with the speakers costumed as professors and cheer-a-leaders.
Lisa Weddel, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of L. Weddel Design in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is one of the presenters. “Whether it is web-based business help or a time-saving gadget, attendees always walk away with benefits they didn’t have an hour earlier,” Weddel said. “Just last week, I accepted a delivery of stunning orchids that I had the privilege of speaking about just a couple years ago at a Premier Products Showcase event. That really shows how the products and information that is consumed is valuable the day of the show and years down the road.”
The Premier Products Showcase at SAF Maui 2016 features products and services from the following companies:
- Accent Decor, Inc.
- Berwick Offray LLC, Lion Ribbon Company, LLC
- BloomNet
- CalFlowers
- Chrysal
- DESIGN MASTER® color tool, inc.
- Floral Mechanics
- Floristopia
- FTD
- Green Valley Floral
- Equiflor/Rio Roses
- Royal Flowers
- Smithers-Oasis North America
- Society of American Florists
- Strider Online Marketing
- TeamFloral
- UFN
To see the products featured, download the Premier Products Showcase handout from safnow.org/maui16handouts.
Immediately after the Premier Products Showcase, convention attendees have a chance to mix and mingle with each other, and visit vendors in the Supplier Expo.
“I like meeting the suppliers and hearing about their products and information about how they can make me more successful and stand out as an industry leader in my area,” Pease said.
This year’s Supplier Expo features the following companies:
- American Floral Endowment
- Ayura SAS
- Ball SB
- BloomNation
- BloomNet
- Bouqs
- CalFlowers
- Chrysal
- DESIGN MASTER® color tool, inc.
- Detail Flowers
- Dramm & Echter
- Dummen Orange
- Farmers’ West
- Floralink
- Floristopia
- Floristware
- Flower Shop Network
- FTD
- Got Flowers?
- Hortica
- Lion Ribbon/Berwick Offray
- Multi Packaging Solutions
- Ossimo Flowers
- Rio Roses/Equiflor
- Royal Flowers
- SAF
- Smithers-Oasis
- Strider Online Marketing
- Syndicate Sales
- Team Floral
- Teleflora
- The Sun Valley Group
- Valley Springs
- UFN
Those who attend the Supplier Expo can enter to win a free registration to SAF Palm Beach 2017, SAF’s 133nd Annual Convention at The Breakers, Sept. 6-9. Pease won last year’s raffle.