Sponsored by the Frank Adams Wholesale Florist, the SAF 1-Day Profit Blast in Portland is $139 for members and $189 for non-members early-bird by Sept. 27, and $99 for each additional registrant from the same company. Register now at safnow.org/1-day-profit-blast.
By Anne Holub
Three weeks after SAF Palm Springs 2018, the association is taking its 1-Day Profit Blast to Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Sponsored by Frank Adams Wholesale Florist, the 1-Day Profit Blast features four speakers from the 134th Annual Convention stage: Derek C. Woodruff, AIFD, CFD, CF, PFCI, owner of the Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan, presents “M3: Money Making Mechanics”; Derrick Myers, CPA, CFP, PFCI, president of Crockett, Myers & Associates Inc., leads “Treasure Hunt: Finding Your Hidden Profits”; Tim Huckabee, president of FloralStrategies, LLC, offers “Smart Selling”; and Crystal Vilkaitis, owner of the Social Edge, reveals “What’s Up (and Coming) with Social Media”
Portland Profit Blast emcee and former SAF President and Chairman Shirley Lyons, AAF, PFCI, said the event is an ideal opportunity to step away from the daily grind and focus on new ideas in shop management.
“I find that we as retailers find it hard give ourselves permission to take the first step of just leaving your store, and investing in yourself and your business,” Lyons said. “Yet that is where your business will truly have the chance to grow and we hear this time and time from attendees across the nation.”
You tend to hear: “I wish I would have done this earlier,” or “I didn’t think I could spare the day off, but I am so glad that I came,” she said.
The Profit Blast series was created in part to give florists access to high quality education close to home — and the regional focus also provides for plenty of networking.
“Profit Blast is like getting a ‘transfusion’ of business energy, ideas, contacts and enthusiasm right before the busy winter season,” Lyons said. “This is not ‘just’ design, it is also how to re-think your business to make you more successful as do what we love. Ka-Ching!”
Portland marks the fourth 1-Day Profit Blast for SAF in 2018. Green Bay was the third stop with 94 industry members gathering in mid-July.
“It was wonderful to spend time with other shop owners and designers, and hear that we are all facing the same struggles day to day — and yet we all love it,” said Lugene Olson of Hummingbird Floral & Gifts in Shoreview, Minnesota. “I came away with at least three solid ideas to improve my shop’s profitability.”
Paige Glidden of BloomNet echoed the sentiment about the Green Bay event, which was sponsored by the Bill Doran Company. “Not only was the material covered in the sessions relevant and engaging, but the sense of community and camaraderie among the retail florists, the sponsors, the speakers and the exhibitors was really invaluable.”
The cut-off date for guaranteeing the SAF room rate at the 1-Day Profit Blast hotel is Sept. 15. Early-bird Profit Blast registration is Sept. 27, and is $139 for members and $189 for non-members — and just $99 for additional participants from the same company. Get more information and register today at safnow.org/1-day-profit-blast.
Anne Holub is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
