Young professionals crave growth opportunities and meaningful connections, and the Society of American Florists’ will serve it up at its 4th annual Next Gen LIVE! conference in Dallas, Feb. 23-25.
Developed by and for young floral professionals, the event offers a unique blend of education, networking, industry insights and hands-on experiences to help attendees sharpen their skills and grow their careers.
“This conference offers incredible value, especially for newcomers to the industry,” says Sheldon Jensen, of Flowers By Michelle in Las Vegas, and a member of SAF’s Next Gen committee. “Engaging in real-world discussions and learning from experienced professionals is highly beneficial, especially when they relate to daily challenges and professional growth. There is no better learning opportunity in the industry than from our peers.”
Focus on Leadership
Education, such as the session “Leading in the Fast Lane: How Next Gen Can Shape the Future,” led by Laura Walsh from Smithers Oasis, is targeted for young professionals. This session will empower attendees to leverage their natural strengths — like digital skills and adaptability — to create positive change in their organizations.
Another key leadership session, “Managing Up, Down and All Around,” will provide attendees with the tools they need to align with senior leadership’s vision while effectively leading and supporting their own teams. Attendees will learn how to build trust and foster communication to achieve their organization’s objectives.
Holly Haveman of Kennedy Flowers & Gifts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says the leadership sessions at past Next Gen LIVE! events “have helped me show up more mindfully with my leadership.”
Practical Skills to Drive Growth
Next Gen LIVE! attendees will learn how to build loyalty and sales through more effective face-to-face, phone and online interactions in “Confident Connections: Master Customer Interactions Across All Channels.” Another breakout, “Reputation Resilience,” provides strategies for managing online reviews and turning customer feedback into an opportunity for growth.
For those already comfortable with artificial intelligence tools, the “AI Unleashed” session will delve into advanced techniques for producing captivating images, engaging content, and innovative design ideas. Attendees will get hands-on insights into how to leverage AI to craft standout marketing materials.
For those newer to the AI landscape, the “Getting Started with AI” session offers an interactive experience designed to demystify the technology. In this Round Robin format, attendees will explore various AI tools for data analysis, writing, communication, and idea generation through a series of rotating stations. The goal is to leave participants with practical knowledge of AI applications that can simplify tasks and boost productivity across different job functions.
Unique Industry Experiences
The conference isn’t just about classroom learning. Attendees will get a behind the scenes tour at one of the industry’s most innovative and successful retailers, Dr. Delphinium Design Center. While there, they’ll be among the first to learn about emerging floral trends from the Creative Cartel, a group of innovative florists reshaping floral design.
Past tours during Next Gen LIVE! events were “very insightful,” says Jensen, who added that they’ve helped him gain a broader understanding of the floral industry, which has helped him communicate with customers with more transparency.
The Power of Community
Building meaningful connections is also a major focus of Next Gen LIVE! The event offers networking breaks, meals and social events like the Supplier Showcase to foster community.
“Having a Next Gen community is invaluable,” Haveman says. “I reach out to the community nearly weekly asking for thoughts and solutions from my peers, and vice versa. These are my flower friends for life!”
Want to get involved with the Next Gen group? Learn about Next Gen’s monthly virtual happy hours and check out the Facebook group.
To see the Next Gen LIVE! schedule and register, click here.
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
