If you are any of the above, check out these growers association meetings, gardening shows and landscaping shows in October.

October 1-2, 2009: The Landscape Show in Orlando Florida. For more information call 407-295-7994.

October 5-6, 2009: Indiana Flower Growers Association Meeting in West Lafayette Indiana. For more information 260-637-1700.

October 5-8, 2009: Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc. (ASCFG) National Conference and Trade Show in Hauppauge New York. For more information call 440-774-2887.

October 7-8, 2009: Canadian Greenhouse Conference in Toronto, Ontario. For more information call 905-945-9057.

It’s no secret that Flower Shop Network has been deeply and personally affected by breast cancer. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’d like to give you our reasons why we hope this month will be a strong month for everyone who has been affected by the horrible disease.

"Think Pink" Flowers for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

1. Recently each one of us was touched by the tragic loss of our dear friend, Jackie Marshall, who passed away earlier this year from complications of breast cancer. Having been in remission for many years, the cancer resurfaced later in another part of her body and took her much quicker than any of us had imagined possible.
2. Our own Loranne Atwill suffered a loss long before selling her flower shop to pursue her dreams with Flower Shop Network, Wedding And Party Network, and FGmarket. One of the florists in her shop was diagnosed with breast cancer and was sadly lost to the illness.
3. A very good friend of mine and a strong mentor lost her life battling the disease for only a few months. After a double mastectomy, the cancer was still not isolated and removed. My family, her family and many friends have never forgotten the sound of her voice or how happy it made us to hear her laugh. We just miss it.

It’s hard not to meet someone who has been affected by breast cancer. It is a prevalent, horrible disease that sneaks and attacks without warning, without repentance. It is very important that a cure is found and found FAST. Having known all but first hand the difficulties of the disease, it’s our sincerest hopes that people (including us) do everything we can this month and every one after to help find a way to end the suffering for our sisters.

Many florists give a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or another respectable foundation involved in the fight against breast cancer. Contact your local flower shop today to see if they participate in any programs. If they don’t, request one!

Know someone battling breast cancer? Respectfully and gently show your respect by sending a Breast Cancer Awareness flower bouquet to your loved one.

The season for flower shows wraps up in October so this is your last chance to attend a fun filled weekend of networking, learning and entertainment. If you like mingling with other people who love flowers, visit one of the flower shows below.

October 4-11, 2009: Maine State Florists & Growers Association Fryeburg Fair Show in Fryeburg Maine. For more information call 207-947-4521 or toll free at 800-879-5996.

October 10-11, 2009: South Dakota Florists Association Free Fall Seminar in Chamberlain South Dakota. For more information call 605-997-2751.

October 20-21, 2009: Garden & Florist Expo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For more information call 905-875-1805 or toll free at 800-265-5656.

If you’re not already packed for the 2009 ASFA Convention, throw some clothes in a bag and head out! You won’t want to miss the biggest floral industry event of the year for Alabama florists. This year’s convention promises to be loads of fun, learning and mingling. In other words, three keys to success!

This ASFA Convention/Christmas Show will be held September 25-27, 2009. This is your chance to participate in fun competitions to become the state’s best Christmas wreath designer, table top designer, win the 2009 Alabama Cup or become 2009’s Designer of the Year. Simply download your applications and get started on these great competitions. Plus, competing in (and especially winning) these competitions are great publicity for your shop. But hurry!! The registration deadline is September 15th! You don’t get the opportunity to say “award-winning” flower shop unless you compete for awards so here’s your chance to show off what your town already can’t stop talking about.

Let the rest of Alabama know what a talented set of florists and flower shops call their state home. Display your pride in the floral industry and in your flower arrangements at the 2009 ASFA Convention and Christmas Show. We wish you a happy conference and a happy new year!

Network coordinators from Flower Shop Network recently attended the 2009 Southern Retail Florists Association Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the stories I’ve heard, it was a lot of fun! Here’s some of the stories Joe Hays and Leslie Cox brought back from the convention.

That’s One Dedicated Florist – It’s not everyday that you meet someone who drove hundreds of miles just to see you. It’s a very flattering sentiment which is why it stuck out in Joe’s mind when he was reliving how he met Jerry and Judy Eisenberg. Jerry and Judy own a flower shop in Gathersburg, Maryland called Floral Scentsations.

When Jerry and Judy heard that FSN would be at the SRFA convention, they decided that it was the perfect time to visit one of their children who lives near Charlotte and stop on the way just to say hi. That’s over 400 miles and 6 hours of driving just to be able to stop in and meet the people they’d been working with for over four years. They wanted to tell us in person that they’re dropping all of their other wire services and sticking with Flower Shop Network exclusively. Joe and Leslie were thrilled with the touching action and are very pleased to have been able to meet such a lovely couple.

Rosemary from Daniels Florist, a Raleigh North Carolina flower shop, also made a large trip just to see her Network Coordinator from Flower Shop Network. She stopped to take photos with Joe and Leslie, share stories, and encourage the people around her. Rumor has it that she is a dear, sweet lady and a huge pleasure to be around.

Take A Reading Break – Leslie also had the privilege of meeting a recent author, Rick Rivers of A Floral Boutique in Ormond Beach Florida, who was at the SRFA convention this year as well. His book, Blooming At The Top:  12 Strategies To Double Your Sales, is a smash hit. Thankfully he took a moment to stop and chat with Joe and Leslie and pause for a quick photo op. After more than 25 years in the floral industry, both successes and failures helped shape Rick’s creative tips for growing a flower shop. His insight was very appreciated.

50 Years Is Small Time – After more than 50 years in the floral industry, Eula Le Foskey of The Flower Shop in Homerville, Georgia decided that it was time to become a member of Flower Shop Network. Leslie was happy to oblige but was more interested in this sweet lady’s story. Eula Le has been a member of the SRFA for over 40 years. Only in my 20’s now, I can hardly imagine doing something for so long but Eula Le’s passion has never faded. She is still an endearing, inspirational, wonderful lady and we are happy to have her with us.

Training Day Is More Than A Movie – This was one of the few times that vendors were able to sit in on the convention’s sessions. The conference room held all of the conventions as well as the vendors so Joe and Leslie were able to learn some very interesting things. Among them was that “silk and artificials” is an out word. It’s passe. The new phrase for turning silk flowers into something profitable is “permanent botanicals“. Means the same thing but says it with a lot more punch. Interesting.

Also, Joe and Leslie were able to watch as they awarded each design competition winner. Some of the arrangements were stunning even to those of us who have been around flower designs of all types for many years. Feel free to view photos below and click on each for a larger picture and more information about the design. We were so proud to see many of our member florists achieving prominent positions in the rankings. Among them were Kristina Reese of Floral Dimensions in Durham NC who took first place in the sympathy division.

A Special Thanks To — A very special thanks goes out to Gallery of Flowers. The flower arrangement displayed inside FSN’s booth at the 2009 SRFA Convention was designed by this wonderful flower shop in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sad To See It End – It’s hard to remember all of the stories about three fun-filled days but Joe and Leslie tried their hardest. After all of the jokes and sweet stories ended, it was a definite letdown to know that no more humorous anecdotes or funny stories would be heard until the next show. Well, not without your help so share them if you have some! If you weren’t at this year’s show, sorry we missed you and hope to see you next year. Please enjoy the SRFA convention photos below! Read the rest of Did You See Us At The SRFA Convention? »

Ready to take a break and visit your local Florist Association convention? Whether looking to join, a long time member, or simply wanting to see beautiful arrangements and network with other florists, visiting these conventions will be a delightful trip for you.

September 9, 2009: Hometown Florists Association “A Taste of HFA” in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information call 410-655-7700 or toll free 800-878-5599.

September 11-13, 2009: Idaho State Florist Association Convention in Boise, Idaho. For more information call 866-900-0144.

September 12-13, 2009: Iowa Florists Association Convention in Newton, Iowa. For more information call 319-399-1023.

September 12-13, 2009: Maine State Florists & Growers Association Fall Show in Bangor, Maine. For more information call 207-947-4521 or toll free  at 800-879-5996.

September 12-13, 2009: Mississippi Florist Association Convention in Pearl, Mississippi. For more information call 601-892-2891.

September 12-13, 2009: North Dakota State Florists Association Convention in Minot, North Dakota. For more information call 701-258-8311 or toll free at 8000-896-8311.

September 17-19, 2009: New Mexico State Florist Association Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information call 505-287-3120.

September 18-20, 2009: Montana Florists Association Convention in Great Falls, Montana. For more information call 406-256-0285.

September 19-20, 2009: Ozark Florist Association Convention & Trade Show in Joplin, Missouri. For more information call 4799-783-5146 or toll free 800-441-6486.

September 23-26, 2009: Society of American Florists (SAF) Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information call 700-836-8700 or toll free at 800-336-4743.

September 25-27, 2009: Alabama State Florists Association Convention & Trade Fair in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information call 205-486-9556.

September 25-27, 2009: Middle Atlantic Florists Association Convention in Fairfax, Virgnia. For more information call 703-625-5218.

If you like to garden and landscape, are a professional landscaper, or just want to learn more about these activities, visit these upcoming gardening and landscaping shows in September.

September 12, 2009: Virginia GoGreen Garden Festival (Virginia Green Industry Council) in Richmond, Virginia. For more information call 540-382-0943.

September 23-24, 2009: Garden Market Expo (California Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Just one more reason to go to Vegas! For more information call 916-928-3900 or toll free 800-748-6214.

September 24-25, 2009: Oklahoma Nursery & Landscape Association Convention & Trade Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information call 405-942-5276.

September 24-26, 2009: Oregon Association of Nurseries Convention in Bend, Oregon. For more information call 503-682-5089 or toll free at 800-342-6401.

September 27, 2009: Oregon Flower Growers Association Design Show & Open House in Portland, Oregon. For more information call 503-289-1500.

Flower Shop Network’s Joe Hays and Leslie Cox attended the 2009 Arkansas State Florists Association Convention that took place August 14-16 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. True to the norm, they returned with a ton of fun stories and pictures about the things that were going on and the wonderful people they met at this year’s show.

I see this every time. The favorite thing for all of our Network Coordinators to do at these shows is to speak with florists about their shop, their designs and anything else about the industry that interests them. They love the chance to talk about how Flower Shop Network is helping/can help florists really stand out among the competition. Mostly though, FSN’s network coordinators are “people persons”. They love making people smile and meeting people that make them smile.  They always return with great stories about these people and how they turned a workday into a vacation.

One of the florists that stood out to both Joe and Leslie was Terry at The Arrangement in Hot Springs Arkansas. Terry created the beautiful flower arrangement displayed inside FSN’s booth during the convention. Joe and Leslie kept raving about how beautiful Terry’s arrangement was and how many compliments it received. So, a special thanks goes to Terry for a fantastic job! (To view the arrangement, see photos below.)

They also bragged about two of FSN’s florists who won awards during the design competition. Mick Koch of Clarksville Florist & Gifts Inc. in Clarksville Arkansas received first place in the Sympathy & Wedding division. Kay Schaefli at Expressions Flowers LLC in Fort Smith Arkansas won the coveted Designer Of The Year title and won the Arkansas Cup (1st Place). Both of these achievements are SO impressive! They take time, preparation, talent and support. We are very happy for all of the competitors this year, but a big pat on the back goes to Kay and Mike. Congratulations! (View pictures of Kay’s award-winning arrangements below.)

There were several other stories of great people and funny moments at this year’s ASFA Convention, but those stories would fill a novella. Instead of reading the rest of the stories, feel like you were there by viewing the pictures below. Don’t forget that you can also share your comments and stories below! Read the rest of Put A Bow On It: Wrapping Up The 2009 ASFA Convention »

We are SO excited about the 2009 Southern Retail Florist Association Convention coming up this weekend in Charlotte North Carolina. A weekend near the beach with great people? Wouldn’t miss it!

If you’re still trying to plan your weekend, consider the SRFA Convention from August 28-30, 2009. It’s a fun three day weekend or can be a good day trip if you want to stay for just one day’s activities. Either way, make your reservations now and don’t forget to stop by the Flower Shop Network booth! Many of our Network Coordinators will be on hand and are looking forward to talking with you!

Ah…a picturesque weekend in Charlotte, NC. Florists can catch a break after the “back to school” rush and spend a relaxing weekend learning about floral industry trends, talking with vendors who make life easier, and networking with other florists. Whether over a beverage at the hotel or over a table at the conference, it’s always fun to mingle with people who share the same passions. That’s exactly what’s happening at the 2009 SRFA Convention!

A trip through the mountains is worth it to see Charlotte florists and other members of the SRFA at this year’s convention. We’re very glad to have this opportunity to meet and greet. We look forward to meeting you this weekend! See you at the show!

Interested in a last-minute break before the back-to-school rush returns? Want a breather to end out the month? Check out these upcoming flower shows and florist association conventions.

August 14-16, 2009: Arkansas Florists Association Convention in Hot Springs Arkansas. Flower Shop Network will be attending this show. We hope to see you there! For more information call 501-354-2309

August 14-16, 2009: North Carolina State Florist Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sure to be fun! For more information call 918-876-0687.

August 17, 2009: Floral Association of the Rockies (FAR) Hands-On Design Workshop in Denver, Colorado. Who wouldn’t want an end of summer trip to Denver? Since it’s on a Monday, this would make a nice three day weekend for florists. For more information call 303-888-0304.

August 28-30, 2009: Southern Retail Florist Association Showcase and Flower Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Flower Shop Network will be at this show also so stop by our booth and say hello! For more information call 804-986-1701.