Are the emerging leaders on your team equipped to drive performance, spark creativity and strengthen customer connections — or are you leaving their development to chance?
According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in their learning and development.
“For floral businesses navigating staffing shortages, retention challenges and generational shifts, development is more than a perk — it’s a key to long-term growth,” says SAF President Lori Wheat, AAF, of Lafayette Florist in Erie, Colorado.
That’s the driving force behind Next Gen LIVE!. Now in its fifth year, the event returns Feb. 22-24 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Designed specifically for floral professionals 45 and under, it brings together the next generation of talent from every industry segment — retail, wholesale, importing, manufacturing and growing — for three days of immersive learning, meaningful connection and fresh perspective.
“Next Gen LIVE! is a high-impact experience packed with hands-on learning, vendor connection and meaningful community — all tailored to the needs of emerging talent,” Wheat says.
The results speak for themselves. In a 2025 SAF survey, 97% of attendees said they walked away with a new idea or process they planned to implement, and more than 70% rated the event as an “excellent” opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers across the industry.
Built for Business Impact
Next Gen LIVE! 2026 features 10 interactive educational sessions, all designed to address real-world challenges and opportunities in today’s floral industry. From leadership and culture to marketing, design and cutting-edge innovation, the agenda connects strategy with action — equipping attendees to think like owners, communicate with confidence and turn industry trends and technology into everyday results.
Among the standout programming, attendees will learn:
- Tools to build resilience, loyalty and problem-solving skills under pressure.
- Ways to understand business decisions from a top-down perspective — pricing, logistics, staffing and profitability — empowering them to contribute in more strategic ways.
- Strategies to advocate for their ideas and growth, helping owners nurture confident, communicative leaders.
- Guidance on handling high-stakes conversations with vendors, coworkers and customers — a vital skill in fast-paced floral operations.
Attendees will also participate in a guided tour of North Carolina State University’s floriculture research facilities, where they’ll see firsthand how cutting-edge science is shaping the future of post-harvest care, cold storage and flower longevity — insights they can bring back to improve product quality, reduce waste and inform smarter sourcing and handling decisions.
The goal isn’t just to learn new skills. The event also offers opportunities for attendees to hear new perspectives and see where their role fits in the broader business and industry context.
“My employees came back from Next Gen LIVE! with a broader perspective of the floral industry that absolutely blew them away — and their excitement was contagious, which inspired the entire team,” says Lisa Hays Holmes of Tiger Lily Florist in Charleston, South Carolina.
Christine Guenther of Wildflower says the return on investment is clear — for morale, engagement and business outcomes.
“Next Gen is perfect for helping junior and mid-level managers or managers new to the floral industry, to start thinking differently about the business,” she says.
She’s planning to bring multiple team members to Raleigh in 2026.
“I know the energy and engagement it will generate will pay off far beyond the investment,” Guenther says.
Click here to learn more about Next Gen LIVE! and register your team.
Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.
