How are floral industry members tackling the new challenges in finding, training and keeping a stable workforce in the COVID environment? How has the pandemic disrupted the supply chain — and are those changes permanent? Which ecommerce strategies are providing the best results for retailers? Which businesses have found way to make the most of new efficiencies? And… how the heck can any business owner plan in a time so filled with uncertainty? These are some of the topics that will be on the (virtual) table Sept. 30 during the Society of American Florists’ Annual Member Meeting, which will include a robust, back-and-forth discussion among retailers, growers, wholesalers and suppliers about the key trends, challenges and opportunities facing the floral industry right now.

The SAF Annual Member Meeting, typically held in-person during SAF’s fall convention, is open to all SAF members. A highlight of the 90-minute session, the Trends and Challenges discussion, will feature floral industry members from all segments sharing insights, feedback, questions, ideas and key takeaways gleaned from recent meetings among SAF’s volunteer Growers, Wholesalers and Retailers Councils. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. ET.

All meeting participants will have the chance to ask questions and share their own experiences via smaller breakout sessions designed to create networking and sharing opportunities among members, said SAF CEO Kate Penn.

“If you’ve felt at any point in the past six months, ‘I wish I could talk through the challenges I’m facing with peers who are in the same boat,’ then this is the event for you,” said Penn. “We’ve designed this year’s meeting to be as forward-looking as possible. We know the pandemic has created roadblocks but also opportunities for entrepreneurialism, and we want to do our part in helping every single SAF member have access to the information sharing and idea generation that will help businesses thrive.”

SAF President Chris Drummond, AAF, PFCI, of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia noted the Trends and Challenges discussion comes at an ideal time.

“As business owners, we’ve made it through this unprecedented spring and now we’re all looking ahead to not only December holidays but also the New Year and Valentine’s Day, and we all want to come up with a new plan of attack,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to pause, reflect, share and grow together.”

In addition to discussing industry trends and challenges, attending SAF members will also have the chance to elect the association’s new class of volunteer leaders for 2021.

“SAF is fueled by our volunteer leaders,” said Drummond. “Everything we do — from creating new content for our members to advocating in Washington on the industry’s behalf — starts with feedback from our volunteer leadership. All of our innovations are shaped by their unique perspectives, insights and willingness to share and collaborate for the benefit of every floral industry professional working in the U.S. today.”

Here’s a rundown on who is running for SAF’s Board of Directors:

SAF Board Retailer Nominee

Stacie Lee Banks, AAF, is co-owner and president of Lee’s Flower & Card Shop Inc. in Washington, D.C. She’s spent most of her life in the floral industry, beginning when she was just 12 years old. In 2018, she was awarded Small Business Person of the Year by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. Her business was awarded Best of D.C. for six consecutive years by the Washington City Paper. Banks has served on the SAF Consumer Marketing Committee. She served as president of the Teleflora MD, VA, D.C. unit in 2000, treasurer in 1998 and secretary in 1997. She received a bachelor of business administration from Howard University. Banks has also served as a board member on many local service groups in the D.C. area.

Cheryl Denham, AAF, AZmF, is president and CEO of Arizona Family Florist in Phoenix. In the industry for 15 years, she has served on the SAF Retailers Council, Consumer Joint Council, Member Joint Council and the SAF Convention Task Force Committee. Denham has experience in marketing, financial management and human resources, and is currently a board member on the 1-800 Flowers Franchise Advisory Board, and a member of the National Association of Catering & Events, the Wedding & Event Network and the International Society of Event Specialists. She was awarded the FTD Top 100 Award every year from 2011-2019, was the SAF Marketer of the Year in 2012, and in 2014, was the recipient of the National Association for Catering & Events Spirit of NACE Award.

SAF Board Grower Nominee

Austin Bryant, who is running uncontested, is the national salesperson for Heart of Florida Greenhouses Inc., and has been in the floral industry for 22 years. Bryant has expertise in interior foliage, floriculture, tissue culture and foliage marketing. He is currently on the state board of Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association and the National Foliage Foundation, where he has also held the position of past president, and is also on the National Horticulture Foundation. Bryant attended the University of Florida, where he received his undergraduate degree in environmental horticulture.

SAF Board Wholesaler Nominee

A 36-year veteran of the industry, David Armellini is president and CEO of Armellini Logistics, which has been in business for 75 years. He has expertise in transportation/logistics and care and handling, and has held positions with SAF in Government Relations and the Wholesalers Council. Armellini is a past board member and president of the Wholesale Florist &Florist Supplier Association. He was awarded the SAF Paul Ecke, Jr. Award in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree from Lynchburg College. Armellini is running uncontested.

 

SAF also recently announced new members to its Retailers, Wholesalers and Growers councils. Find out more here.

Register now for the Sept. 30 SAF Annual Member Meeting. Have questions about the meeting or your SAF membership? Email Katie Butler, SAF’s senior vice president at kbutler@safnow.org.

Mary Westbrook is the editor in chief of Floral Management.