JodyMcLeod, AIFD, CFD, NCCFP, and Derek Woodruff, AIFD, CFD, CF, PFCI, were among the popular presenters last weekend at SAF’s 1-Day Profit Blast in Green Bay.
Ninety-four industry members gathered in Green Bay, Wisconsin last Sunday for the latest installment of the Society of American Florists’ popular 1-Day Profit Blast series, where they bonded with industry peers and learned best practices for increasing sales, ranking higher in online searches and improving their profit margin with smart design mechanics and delivery routes.
“It was wonderful to spend time with other shop owners and designers, and hear that we are all facing the same struggles day to day — and yet we all love it,” said Lugene Olson of Hummingbird Floral & Gifts in Shoreview, Minnesota. “I came away with at least three solid ideas to improve my shop’s profitability.”
Paige Glidden of BloomNet echoed the sentiment about the event, which was sponsored by the Bill Doran Company.
“This was my first time attending SAF’s 1-Day Profit Blast, and I could not be happier that I did,” Glidden said. “Not only was the material covered in the sessions relevant and engaging, addressing issues and concerns that florists face every day, but the sense of community and camaraderie that was cultivated by the SAF staff among the retail florists, the sponsors, the speakers and the exhibitors was really invaluable.”
Sunday’s lineup featured some of the industry’s most sought after speakers who possess diverse areas of expertise:
During M3: Money Making Mechanics, Jody McLeod, AIFD, CFD, NCCPF, of Annie V’s Floral Design Studio in Clayton, North Carolina and Derek C. Woodruff, AIFD, CF, PFCI, of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan shared ways to do more with less product to improve profitability on the design bench.
Paul Goodman, MBA, CPA, PFCI, of Floral Finance Business Services and a Floral Management columnist, delivered tips for increased efficiency on the highway during A Roadmap for Profitable Deliveries.
Attendees received no-nonsense advice on motivating and managing staff, upselling and managing customer complaints during Smart Selling, presented by Floral Management columnist Tim Huckabee, president and founder of FloralStrategies, LLC.
Josh Glass, AAF, of Peoples Flower Shops in Albuquerque, New Mexico offered proven strategies to improve search engine optimization during Pick Me! Stand Out and Sell More Online.
The event also featured a Supplier Showcase, where attendees could mingle with growers, manufacturers and service providers.
“I greatly appreciated all the product the Supplier Showcase vendors brought for the viewing and the literature they provided,” said Kathy Cunningham of Moody Blooms in Portage, Indiana. “I spent an hour immediately following the conference reviewing flower varieties for several upcoming weddings. Having photos of the cutting edge flowers and their names at my fingertips was immensely helpful!”
Cunningham left with a notebook full of ideas from the four presentations, which she “can’t wait” to put into practice. “I’m going home pumped and rejuvenated,” she said.
The next stop for SAF 1-Day Profit Blast is Portland, Oregon on Sunday, October 7. For more information and to register, click here.
