In This Issue ...

1. 2016 Membership Directory Ad Space
2. World Floral Expo 2016
3. Ballot Results
4. Calif Flora 2015
5. In Memoriam-"Shimi" Shibata
6. CalFlowers and Members Petal It Forward
7. WF&FSA 2015
8. New Members
9. Transportation Updates

Going Social...

Members, please follow us on Instagram @CalifFlowers and hashtags #CalFlowers. Watch for event or news-specific hashtags.  And we welcome your photos! Please share with Anne Price at [email protected].

Upcoming Events

• CalFlowers Board of Directors
  December 1 - 2, 2015
  SF Bay Area

• World Floral Expo
  March 9 - 11, 2016
  Los Angeles, CA 
  
  

CalFlowers News

Our goal is to communi-cate on a monthly basis with the membership and interested parties about recent past and upcoming events, program updates, and general information about how CalFlowers is engaging in the industry on behalf of the membership.

2016 Membership Directory Advertising Space is NOW Available

CalFlowers Members are invited to advertise in the CalFlowers 2016 Membership Directory.  This is an excellent promotional opportunity for all CalFlowers members to enhance market presence throughout the industry.   This printed, spiral-bound directory is provided to every one of the nearly 700 buyers, wholesalers, retailers, growers, and service providers who make up our membership.

We have advertising space starting as low as $100.  As a valued CalFlowers member, you are entitled to take a 10% discount off of the appropriate ad rates when you submit your Insertion Order by November 13, 2015. Deadline for ad copy is 12/7/15. Orders at “the standard rates” will close on 11/27/15.

The directory ad form can be downloaded here.

World Floral Expo 2016

The 2016 international flower trade show World Floral Expo (WFE) will be returning to Los Angeles, CA, at the LA Convention Center March 9-11, following the very successful 2015 event, which was the first time this important show appeared in California.

As of this writing, 10 CalFlowers members, plus the Association's booth, have committed to over 2,000 sq.ft. of exhibit space.  However, there are plenty of excellent booth spaces still available -- actually, there isn't a bad location in the pavillion that has been reserved exclusively for CalFlowers members.

For more information about special exhibit pricing, a list of CalFlowers members already committed, and a floor plan click here!

Ballot Results

Thanks to those Floral Members who submitted ballots – three new directors will join the Board of Directors at the next meeting on December 1^st & ^2nd:

• Frank Biddle
• Joe Ortiz, Jr.
• Ivor Van Wingerden

The ballot measure to amend the Association's bylaws also passed.

Calif Flora 2015 - "Field To Vase-California Grown"

The California State Floral Association's (CSFA) annual event - "Calif Flora 2015" – “FIELD TO VASE ~ CALIFORNIA GROWN” was held October 10^th & 11^th at California Expo Center in Sacramento, CA.  Attendees were delighted with the new venue at the California Expo Center. 

The eleventh annual CSFA student design competition, sponsored by CalFlowers, was held on Saturday evening, October 10^th with Anthony Alvarez AIFD, CCF, EMC, Floral Phenomenon, as Commentator.  This year’s student competition theme was “A Tribute to California Growers.”

Thank you to the many growers who donated their beautiful California flowers/foliage to Calif Flora 2015.

Click here to read more.

In Memoriam: Floral Industry Pioneer Yoshimi Shibata Passes Away

It is with sincere sadness that we report the passing of Yoshimi “Shimi” Shibata on October 31, 2015.  Known primarily as a deep thinker and master strategist, Shimi was generous with his knowledge and experience.  He has been a friend, colleague, and mentor to many in the floral industry.  Shimi was the recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Service Award this past July at the Fun ‘N Sun Convention in Monterey, Ca. 

We would like to share this note from the Shibata family:

Dear Industry Friends and Colleagues,

We want to let you know that our father, Yoshimi "Shimi" Shibata, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 31, 2015.  He was at home, with family present. We are grateful that he had a distinguished and fulfilling career in the flower industry that he loved so much.

Shimi had many fond memories and cherished friends from his career. In celebration and memory of our father, here is a glimpse at significant moments from his life: http://mteden.com/yoshimi-shibata-a-floral-industry-pioneer.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2 PM at the Buddhist Temple of Alameda, located at: 2325 Pacific Ave., Alameda, California 94501.

On behalf of our mother Grace, Naomi, Rob, and Mike Shibata

If you would like to send a card to the Shibata family, cards can be sent to Mt Eden Floral Co.:

Mt Eden Floral Co.
2124 Bering Dr.
San Jose, CA 95131

CalFlowers and Members Petal It Forward

CalFlowers and its members played a key role in the first annual Petal It Forward campaign October 7, helping spread happiness and joy with cut flowers. Petal It Forward was conceived by the Society of American Florists to share the power of flowers, as documented in research by Rutgers University that demonstrated flowers create delight, increase life satisfaction, and make people happy. In a recent SAF survey, 88 percent of Americans report that giving flowers makes them feel happy, while 80 percent reported that receiving flowers makes them feel happy.

In San Diego County, Dramm & Echter commandeered a bike and staked out a busy corner to share hundreds of gorgeous bouquets, encouraging residents to take one and share one.  In the Bay area, San Francisco Flower Mart greeted harried a.m. commuters at a busy Caltrans station, delighting them with many bouquets to take and share. Thanks to the many members who provided flowers and personnel.

Donation/coordination of product: Dramm & Echter, Dos Gringos, Holland America Flowers, Universal Greens

Assembly of 4,000 bouquets: Holland America Flowers

Transportation and onsite delivery/coordination of bouquets: Delaware Valley Floral Group

Follow the Petal It Forward campaign using hashtag #PetalItForward and on CalFlowers Instagram account, @CalifFlowers.

WF&FSA Event - Reaching out to Customers ...

California was in good form and attendance at this year's WF&FSA Annual Conference in Miami from October 22 - 24, 2015.

Representing the California flower farms were:  Calla Flowers, Glad-a-Way Gardens, Green Valley Floral, Holland America, Joseph & Sons, Kitayama Brothers, Mellano & Co., Ocean View and The Sun Valley Group.  Of course, CalFlowers was present with a table-top exhibit and a conference sponsor.

We had numerous conversations with prospective Associate Members, including Michelle Bridges (at right with Chris Johnson).  Michelle is the Procurement Manager from Cortez Floral Co. supporting the Florida Gulf Coast region.  Michelle reported that she is in the process of transitioning much of their distributor inventory to California products.  According to Michelle, every distributor stocks the fine products from South America, but California products are scarce.  She has customers interested in new and special products, and California's floral products fit her needs!  She is also excited about becoming a CalFlowers Associate Member.

New Members

In September and October, we were pleased to welcome the following new CalFlowers members:

Transportation

1. Did you know OnTrac is now the largest regional package delivery company in the United States? It's true, and you may realize this when trying to call OnTrac customer service.  We have heard that wait times can be longer than expected.  So here is a tip to use when calling the OnTrac toll free number (800-334-5000).  When calling, as you hear a voice, press "9" on your keypad.  You will be immediately transferred to OnTrac’ s special Accounts desk.  Someone will answer and help with your request.  It’s a huge time saver.
2. In other OnTrac news, all shipping CalFlowers members should now be on-line booking with OnTrac.  WebOnTrac is an excellent tool that can help shippers with most everything they need when booking a shipment.  Using paper waybills adds complexity to their digital system and frankly adds more risk.  WebOnTrac software even has provisions that can catch errors before they can be submitted.  If you are not using OnTrac’s free booking software, we strongly recommend you do, and it's easy to start.  Just contact OnTrac for more info at 800-334-5000 or www.ontrac.com.
3. As of October 25^th, United Airlines discontinued flight service at New York’s JFK Airport; however, cargo operations will continue.  United will now operate to EWR and provide shuttle service for cargo to JFK.  The shuttle service to JFK is extensive and should provide customers easy pick up at JFK. Click Here to see United’s official press release.
4. Our new FedEx international IPD service from Colombia and Ecuador to the US is currently in its final testing phase and on schedule to rollout to members as soon as possible.  This new FedEx shipping option for CalFlowers members promises many benefits and excellent pricing designed to increase your shipping options and significantly reduce your costs.  Look for more info coming soon!

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