Are you struggling with hiring and retaining talent? Do you value peer to peer connection? Do you need a “help-line” for all the changes you’re facing? The Society of American Florists is hard at work developing new resources and in-person and virtual events for 2022 that will help you learn, prosper and connect in the new year.
SAF continues to focus on developing and expanding the pool of talent in the industry, not just in the short-term with new resources to help you hire, but also in the long-term through a new event to empower young professionals. Profitability is also top-of-mind as costs increase and profit margins tighten. SAF is also focused on helping the industry capitalize on the increase of consumer interest in — and purchase of — flowers and plants.
“We’re factoring all of this into our 2022 programs — our live and virtual events, our courses on Career Connection, even in how we prioritize our advocacy efforts and conversations with federal legislators and regulators,” says CEO Kate Penn. “We’re also doubling down on our efforts to connect the industry. We know the best ideas and solutions come when all segments — retailers, wholesalers, growers and manufacturers — are at the table, and SAF is well-positioned to make that happen.
Connecting the industry was the impetus for a new monthly virtual gathering, Idea Exchange. This informal meet up will invite participants to discuss strategies and solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges, from labor to availability of supplies. The first Idea Exchange is Jan. 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET, when several industry experts will be on hand to deliver updates on the supply chain — including how the surge in COVID-19 Omicron cases is impacting supply. Participants should come ready to ask questions and share their strategies and solutions.
Also new this year is a one-and-a-half-day event, Next Gen Live, designed to empower, educate, and connect young professionals. Next Gen Live is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2 in Miami, where members of the industry who are 40 years old and younger can choose educational tracks focused on leadership and productivity as well as network at one-of-a-kind events. Stay tuned tosafnow.tempurl.host for complete schedule and registration information.
SAF has several other in-person events planned this year. Congressional Action Days, March 28-29, will gather retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and growers on Capitol Hill to speak with legislators about agricultural labor issues, funding floriculture research, maintaining duty-free access to fresh product, rising costs, stalled supply chains and more.
SAF’s affordable and schedule-friendly 1-Day Profit Blasts are back this year in four cities:
Albany, New York on March 22
Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 7
Denver, Colorado on Oct. 11
San Marcos, Texas on Nov. 9
These events feature three interactive sessions about design and profitability, driving sales and customer service, and a supplier showcase. More information and registration is coming soon.
In September, the industry will come together to learn and network at SAF Orlando 2022, SAF’s 137th annual convention, at the Orlando Hilton. In addition to more than a dozen educational sessions, the convention also features the Sylvia Cup Design Competition and the Outstanding Varieties Competition. The coveted Floral Management Marketer of Year award is back this year, and the floral industry retailer, wholesaler or grower with the most unique, innovative and successful marketing campaign will be revealed at convention. In response to positive feedback about the 2021 shorter, weekday format, this year’s convention will once again be 2.5 days. Registration opens soon.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to learn virtually. SAF is partnering with some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts to bring new educational courses to its online learning hub, Career Connection. Kicking off 2022 is a new recruiting and hiring course with human resources expert Glenna Hecht, available now. Upcoming new courses will cover topics such as interviewing and hiring, onboarding, SEO, website conversion, pricing strategies and more.
Members can also look for more educational opportunities through more than a dozen new webinars throughout the year. Industry experts will speak on hiring, sales, delivery, customer service, profitable events, wedding contracts, web platforms, marketing, search engine optimization and more. Visit Career Connection for more information and to register.
“SAF is in touch with the floral industry’s needs and challenges, and we’ll deliver thoughtful and focused programming and resources that will help our members continue to thrive,” says SAF President Michelle Castellano Keeler, AAF. “Whatever this year brings, SAF will be there to help the industry navigate it.”
Amanda Jedlinsky is the managing editor of SAF Now.
