“This was my third year to lobby alongside other floral retailers, wholesalers, and growers on Capitol Hill to discuss the legislative priorities of the floral industry. I had the opportunity to represent Florida alongside some really incredible industry veterans. Here is my ‘team’ pictured in front of the Supreme Court on a walk in between appointments,” Corrine Heck (center) of Details Flowers posted to Instagram during last year’s CAD. “It is incredible to take part in the political process, even but for a day. Can’t wait to attend this event in 2020!”
“Let’s Make Our Voices Heard Loud and Clear” is the floral industry’s call to action for the Society of American Florists’ 40th Annual Congressional Action Days (CAD), March 9-10, in Washington, D.C.
“Your voice really gets heard and helps make a difference,” said Nicole Palazzo of City Line Florist in Trumbull, Connecticut, who has participated in the last four CADs.
“I love coming to CAD. I enjoy networking with my fellow industry members. I love going on the Hill to talk to members of Congress about issues happening in our industry.”
Last year, Palazzo and 90 other SAF members successfully asked lawmakers to increase funding and expand reach for the Floriculture Crops Report — providing valuable benchmarking data; maintain funding levels for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative — paving the way to longer-lasting flowers and plants; and oppose a $15 per hour federal minimum wage. They also vocalized the need for immigration reform.
Cameron Pappas of Norton’s Florist in Birmingham, Alabama, also enjoys the CAD experience and sees the benefits of participation. “CAD gave me the opportunity to network with peers in the industry, as well as learn about aspects of our government and the floral industry that I didn’t know about before, and most importantly, to have a say in issues that affect our industry,” Pappas said.
CAD registration includes a free registration for a second person from your company who has never attended before. The cutoff date for guaranteeing the SAF room rate at the CAD hotel is Feb. 12. CAD early-bird registration ends Feb. 21. For details, visit safnow.org/cad.
Jenny Scala is the director of marketing and communications for the Society of American Florists