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2012 Texas State Florist Convention: Recap & Photos

Texas State Florist Association's Annual Convention

Over the weekend, part of the FSN Team traveled down to the Lone Star State for the Texas State Florist Association‘s Annual Convention. This year’s theme was, “Floral Paradise” which is exactly what they created. In their unusual location, The Hanger Hotel (an actual airplane hanger!) they brought paradise to life with only the flair florists can bring.

TSFA Vintage Car With Flowers

Metro retro. The old hanger definitely had a retro vibe. Love the way these creative Texas florists work it into their show. Looks like something you’d see in a old war-time postcard or something. [Read more…]

Did You See Flower Shop Network At The 2009 TSFA Convention?

Flower Shop Network representatives Amy Hall and Rebecca Speer recently attended the 2009 Texas State Florists Association Convention. I was amazed at all of the wonderful stories that they brought back! I felt like I was there laughing with all of the wonderful florists too when they showed me pictures of the convention at its peak. What a fun time for Texas florists!

Special thanks go to Judy at Loki Gardens in Houston Texas and Gail at G. Johnsons Floral Images in Houston. Amy and Rebecca couldn’t stop speaking pleasantries about the warm, friendly nature of these great women. Though Amy and Rebecca love speaking with florists and enjoyed the convention, Gail and Judy helped put an extra spring in their steps. Their “they can make you smile from across the room” personalities were very appreciated during the very busy but wonderful weekend!

Another story that Rebecca and Amy shared with me pertained to the beautiful floral displays at the convention. After reviewing photos with them, I’m amazed by some of the incredible designs that were featured at the show! It’s hard to choose a favorite! All of these photos have been included at the bottom of this post. Feel free to comment on your favorite.

Special thanks to florists from Designs By Gail in Justin Texas for posing with Rebecca Speer at this year’s TSFA convention (see picture #1).

Special thanks to Darla from Designs By Darla in Junction Texas for posing with Amy Hall at this year’s TSFA convention (see picture #2).

Special thanks to florists from Amarillo Rose Floral Extravaganza in Irving Texas for posing with Rebecca Speer at this year’s TSFA convention (see picture #3 & #4). [Read more…]

Texas State Florists Association Convention July 11-13, 2008

Join Flower Shop Network‘s network coordinators at the Texas State Florists Association Convention hosted this year at the South Shore Resort and Convention Center in League City, Texas. Florists have a great opportunity to meet and network during this convention. Taking place July 11-13, 2008, the TSFA Convention is sure to be a great time full of education, networking and information. Get to know your Flower Shop Network representatives and other area florists, designers and industry professionals while learning about fresh floral design, enjoying a seminar for improving your business, or getting hands-on experience in a design workshop.

See you there!

FlowerShopNetwork Enjoys Summer With Texas and Oklahoma Florists

It has been another wonderful summer for the Flower Shop Network staff. In the past few weeks our staff has been to the Texas State Florist Convention (July 14-15) and the Oklahoma State Florists Association Conference (August 3-5). Our staff enjoyed the fellowship of many enthusiastic florists. It was great to meet up with long time friends as well as develop new friendships with many of the florists attending the show. The Flower Shop Network booth at both shows was a constant parade of interesting visitors. In fact, visitors at both had the opportunity to register for a complementary florist listing and a complimentary eCommerce website package. Despite the dog days of summer everyone had a good time.

FlowerShopNetwork Staff Heading To Texas Florists Party FlowerShopNetwork's Ann Stevens with Judy Rutledge Texas State Florists Association 1st VP.

1st picture: FlowerShopNetwork staff (Steven Pellham VP of Technology, Julie Ratliff Relay Services Manager and Joe Hays Network Coordinator) pose for a pitcure at the Texas State Florists Convention party.

2nd picture: FlowerShopNetworks Ann Stevens and Loki Garden’s Judy Rutledge (Texas State Florists Association 1st Vice President) take time to smile at the camera.

More information on Texas State Florist Convention

At the Texas State Florists Convention in San Antonio Texas July 13-15, visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth registered for a drawing for a complimentary florist listing and a complimentary eCommerce website package. The drawing was open to both Flower Shop Network members as well as non-members that Saturday and Sunday. The drawing was held Tuesday morning after our staff returned to the office.

Congratulations to Colonial Flowers of McCamey, Texas for winning the grand prize. The grand prize consists of a premium florists listing in the Flower Sho pNetwork online florist directory as well as one of our fully eCommerce enabled flower shop websites. The complimentary listing and website will run for a full year on Flower Shop Network. Located in McCamey, Texas, Colonial Flowers also provides floral delivery service to Rankin, Texas and Crane, Texas.

Flower Shop Network welcomes Colonial Flowers as a new member. Congratulations to Vernon and Janice Day and the rest of the staff at Colonial Flowers, we hope to see you at the Texas State Florists Convention next year.

Congratulations to Lynette Lee and staff at Twisted Willow Floral Shop as the winner of our first prize. The first prize includes a premium florist listing in the Flower Shop Network online florists directory for one full year. Twisted Willow Floral in Sealy, Texas also provides floral delivery service to: Brookshire, TexasSan Felipe, TexasFrydek, TexasWallis, TexasBellville, Texas.

Flower Shop Network would like to thank all of our members that stopped by our booth at the Texas State Florist Convention as well as the many new shops and nonmember florists that took time to visit us. Flower Shop Network would also like to thank the Texas State Florist Association for inviting us to the convention. The convention staff and membership did a wonderful job in making all of the exhibitors and attendees feel welcome. We continue to provide affordable, quality products and services to the floral industry. Flower Shop Network has already committed to attending the Texas Florists Convention in 2008.

FLowerShopNetwork Staff At Texas Florists Convention.

From left to right: Steven Pellham VP Technology, Ann Stevens Network Coordinator, Julie Ratliff Relay Services Manager and Joe Hays Network Coordinator.
More Information on Oklahoma State Florists Association Conference
At the Oklahoma State Florists Association Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma August 3-5, visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth registered for a drawing for a complimentary florist listing and a complimentary eCommerce website package. The drawing was open to both Flower Shop Network members as well as non-members Friday through Sunday. The drawing was held Tuesday morning after our staff returned to the office.

Congratulations to The Master’s Flowers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for winning the grand prize. The grand prize consists of a fully eCommerce enabled flower shop website to go with their premium listing in the Flower Shop Network online florist directory. The complimentary website will run for a full year on Flower Shop Network. Located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Masters Flowers also provides floral delivery service to: Coweta, OklahomaGlenpool, OklahomaCatoosa, OklahomaTulsa, OklahomaSand Springs, OklahomaJenks, OklahomaBixby, Oklahoma.

Congratulations to Terry, Glenda and the rest of the staff at The Master’s Flowers, we hope to see you at the Oklahoma State Florists Association Conference next year.

Congratulations to Floral Expressions in Grove, Oklahoma as the winner of a premium florist listing in the Flower Shop Network online florists directory for one full year. Floral Expressions in Grove, Oklahoma also provides floral delivery to: Jay, OklahomaBernice, Oklahoma – Monkey Island, Oklahoma – Fairland, OklahomaAfton, Oklahoma – Southwest City, Missouri.

Congratulations to Becky Sherman and staff at Floral Expressions. Flower Shop Network would like to thank all of our members that stopped by our booth at the Oklahoma State Florists Conference as well as the many new shops and nonmember florists that took the time to visit with us. Flower Shop Network would also like to send out a special thanks to the Oklahoma State Florists Association for the invitation to the conference. The conference staff and membership did a fantastic job in making all of the exhibitors and attendees feel welcome. We appreciate your support as we continue to provide affordable, quality products and services to the floral industry.

FlowerShopNetwork Staff at Oklahoma State Florists Conference

From Right to Left: Cindy Prichard VP Sales, Network Coordinators Shelley Condray, Cathy Condray, Nick Costner and Joe Hays

Sympathy Flowers: How Funeral Directors & Florists Work Together

I read an interesting article the other day. The article was based on suggestions from a member of the Texas State Florists’ Association after attending the Texas Funeral Directors Association convention.

When it comes to sympathy flowers, florists and funeral directors have the same goal, to help families through the bereavement process. It is well established that flowers are a comfort and joy to those during times of grief. Flowers can help both entities achieve their goal. But to achieve this goal effectively it requires a working rapport between the florist and the funeral director.

The article suggested that florists could put a brief description of the flower arrangement on the back of the enclosure card. This eases the process of writing the thank you cards and removes some of the burden from the funeral home’s staff. Families appreciate this gesture but often the funeral home staff doesn’t have the time or terminology to do this.

In return, the florist opens a line of communication with the funeral director; who can then share the importance of flowers and the quality of the local florist with the family and friends of the deceased.

A few other suggestions made were:

Florist should familiarize their delivery drivers with the funeral homes, staff members and drop off procedures.

Use standard containers that are easy to transport and set up.

Be aware of transportation constraints of the funeral homes when designing casket sprays.

These are just a few of the suggestions that can help create a rapport and line of communication between the florists and funeral directors.
I personally know how important it is to have a good rapport with the funeral home. When I worked for a local florist we had a funeral board. Our local funeral homes would call or fax us the information about services and we would list all the pertained information about the deceased on the board. When customers called to place the order we were prepared. We also kept up with delivery procedures of every funeral home. Because of our relationship with the funeral home, when family and friends inquired about where to order flowers for the services the funeral home staff would recommend us.

If you have any ideas about how to develop a rapport between florists and funeral homes please share them with us.

Texas State Florist Association Convention – Drawing Winners Announced

Texas State Florists' Association Logo ImageAt the Texas State Florists’ Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas July 21-24, 2006, visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth registered for a drawing for a complimentary florist listing and a complimentary eCommerce website package. Visitors to the Flower Shop Network booth at the convention registered to win the Grand Prize or First Prize package by filling out a small registration card or leaving a business card at the booth. The drawing was open to both existing Flower Shop Network members as well as nonmembers that registered at the Flower Shop Network booth on either Saturday or Sunday of the convention.

This was the first appearance by Flower Shop Network at the Texas State Florists’ Association Convention and it was a tremendous success. The convention, which was held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Westin Riverwalk Hotel located in downtown San Antonio, was extremely well attended by retail florists and exhibitors both from within Texas and out-of-state.

The winners of free florist listing and eCommerce Website Package giveaway offered by FSN were drawn and notified Tuesday morning after our staff returned to the office and the results are in! Here are the lucky winners:

[Read more…]

Texas State Florist Association Convention – July 21-24 – San Antonio, TX

flower shop network logo imageThe 93rd Annual Convention and Trade Show for the Texas State Florist Association is coming up this weekend on Friday July 21st through Monday, July 24th. The convention and trade show will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

Flower Shop Network will have both Sales and Technology staff members at the convention. Stop by booth #16 to find out more about the valuable floral services provided by Flower Shop Network. Florists may also register for our free giveaway: FSN is giving away a free listing in our online florist directory for one full year as well as a free listing AND website for one full year. Be sure to ask about our show signup specials!

For more information about the trade show and convention center, use the links provided below – we hope to see you there!!

Florist Convention Information

Attendee Application

Exibitor Information

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Flower Shop Network
800.858.9925 – tollfree