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Monthly Newsletter April 2024 Issue

Fun 'N Sun Room Block, Golf Tournament and Sponsorship To Open Next Week!

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey because the highly anticipated 2024 Fun 'N Sun Floral Convention is about to kick off! We're thrilled to announce that next week, we'll be opening reservations for our hotel room block, unveiling sponsorship opportunities, and teeing up registrations for the much-awaited golf tournament!


Hotel Accommodations: Prepare to be pampered in style at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, a haven of luxury nestled amidst breathtaking gardens. With a fabulous room rate of just $279 plus tax, exclusively for our attendees, get ready to experience unparalleled comfort and relaxation.


Golf Tournament: Calling all golf aficionados! Get your clubs ready because our Fun 'N Sun Golf Tournament is back and better than ever. Held right on site at the prestigious Legends Golf Course, prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning vistas and challenging fairways. Tournament fees this year are $295 which includes: green fees, cart fee, range balls and lunch on the Legends Lawn.


Sponsorship Opportunities: Looking for a prime opportunity to showcase your company? Look no further! Our array of sponsorships offers the perfect platform to gain exposure and elevate your brand. With opportunities starting at just $300, there's something for everyone to shine.


Grower Tour: This year's grower tour will take place at Kendall Farms and Mellano and Company. Both companies are diligently organizing an exhilarating day for all participants and eagerly anticipate your arrival.


Educational Sessions: We're putting the finishing touches on an extraordinary lineup of educational sessions and hands-on classes. Get ready to expand your knowledge and sharpen your skills as we prepare to deliver a truly enriching experience.


Save the Date: Mark your calendars because registration to attend the convention will be opening in mid-May. Keep your eyes peeled for more details on how to secure your spot at this must-attend event! We can't wait to welcome you to what promises to be an unforgettable experience!

Fun 'N Sun Floral Convention

September 4 - 7, 2024

La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA

For more information visit or

Fun 'N Sun webpage or contact: Monnaie Pepin (831) 610-4826 

CalFlowers Launches New Website

CalFlowers has designed a brand-new website to better serve you! To get the most out of your experience, members will need to create a new login if you haven’t already. Your previous username and password will not work on the updated website.


With your new login, you will be able to:

  • Access your member benefits
  • Explore the online directory
  • Update your profile information
  • Register for events
  • ....and more!

 

Follow this link for full instructions.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Renew Your CalFlowers Membership by May 31

It’s time to renew your CalFlowers membership! Renew by May 31 and continue to access benefits designed to support your growth and success in the floral industry.

 

Why Renew Your Membership?

Renewing your CalFlowers membership means staying connected to a community of industry professionals and benefits that help your business succeed. As a member you gain access to:


  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow growers, wholesalers, retailers, and service providers through our networking channels and in person events. Build valuable relationships, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest trends and developments.
  • Promotional Opportunities: Showcase your products and services to a broader audience through our printed and online directory, social media channels, and industry publications. Maximize your visibility and reach potential customers.
  • Exclusive Benefits: Your membership includes steeply discounted shipping rates, printing services, email marketing subscriptions, credit card processing, educational resources and more.

 

Renewal Details

Renewing your CalFlowers membership is quick and easy. We strongly encourage members to pay online via your emailed invoice or your Member Compass on the CalFlowers website. We are hosting a weekly raffle once again this renewal period- renew today and you will automatically be entered to win!

Member Login

New Member Benefit: 30% Off Constant Contact Plans

CalFlowers’ members can now receive 30% off any monthly Constant Contact plan! Many businesses utilize Constant Contact for seamless email marketing. Whether you are a current or new Constant Contact user, you can apply the discount to your monthly subscription. 


New users can visit our website to sign up for a free 30-day trial and discounted subscription. Please contact us for instructions if you have an existing Constant Contact account and want to apply the CalFlowers’ discount to your subscription.   

Resources, Sustainability Guides, and Programs Tailored for You by AFE

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to share their newly redesigned website tailored for you and your businesses! The Endowment’s many resources, programs, and opportunities are now sorted by segment for growers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and the entire flower supply chain. Explore the new website for access to research findings, industry news, funding opportunities, and more. You can read more about the new site here.

 

Coming soon! AFE is also introducing, Sustainabloom, a new floral industry initiative that will help businesses in the floriculture embrace sustainability with a friendly touch. Sustainabloom’s mission is to provide you with how-to guides, checklists, tips, and resources in a clear and simple way. They believe that sustainability should be accessible to everyone. Sign up here to be notified when our new website launches later this month!


CalFlowers supports this important work as one of Sustainabloom’s Founding Partners. If you would like to get involved as well, please reach out to info@sustainabloom.org.

Chair of That Flower Feeling Advisory Board and Additional Member Announced

CalFlowers announces Chris Drummond as the Chair of the recently established That Flower Feeling Advisory Board in addition to a new member.


With a mission to increase per capita consumption of flowers in the United States, the initiative expanded its influence in 2023 by creating the TFF Advisory Board. The Advisory Board assumes a governing role of the foundation, overseeing three key areas: finance, fundraising, and consumer marketing.


Chris Drummond of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers has taken on the Chair position of the advisory board. “I am impressed with the experience, talent, and qualifications of the innovative professionals who have been selected to serve as advisors for That Flower Feeling. I am honored to accept the appointment as committee chair. The momentum of the campaign to raise consumption of fresh flowers is strong…and we are just beginning. With the help of the entire floral industry, we can change consumer behavior and sell many more flowers more often," said Drummond.


As Chair, Drummond will oversee the other eight board members, including newcomer Joe Don Zetzsche. Zetzsche is the Vice President of BLOOMS Floral Marketing at H-E-B, where he has spent 16 years leading their floral business out of his 35-year tenure with the company. Zetzsche expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “I’m excited to join this effort. The most consistent topic I’ve heard from industry leaders in the past fifteen years is the desire to build a marketing effort that will drive flower consumption directly with consumers. This is the first organization I’ve found that has been built specifically to do this work for the entire industry regardless of segment or growing region. Let’s do this!”

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CSFA Celebrated California Ag Day

The California State Floral Association (CSFA) celebrated California Agriculture Day on Tuesday, March 19th on the West steps of the State Capitol! Mother Nature cooperated and it was a beautiful sunny day. Dozens of commodity and agriculture stakeholders had booths to offer samples and inform legislative staff and the public on the value of California’s agriculture community. 


Floral bouquets were again the highlight for many Ag Day attendees. Special thanks to our Ag Day Co-Chairs, Marty Espe, and Greg Staby from Flora Fresh, Inc. for all their efforts in procuring the tremendous volume of gorgeous product that was given to each attendee anxiously waiting in line. 


CDFA Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross, kicked off the festivities with a warm welcome and emphasized the importance of our youth in agriculture today and into the future. California’s First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, shared words of praise, pride and optimism about California agriculture. Judy Culbertson, Ag in the Classroom, received a proclamation at this year’s event honoring her many years of service to California agriculture and celebrating her retirement. 


CSFA would like to thank the following companies for sponsoring this event:

AUW Ventures

Flora Fresh, Inc.

Floral Resources Sacramento

Liezet at Bloom Decor

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Member Spotlight: Magnolia’s Yarden

Magnolia’s Yarden is a flower-growing business located in Central Valley, California. For eight years, Magnolia’s Yarden has specialized in growing and shipping edible flowers. They offer flowers year-round on their website and through the Flower Market in addition to shipping overnight, nationwide.


"As a member of CalFlowers, we are proud to provide flowers to regions of the country when they are unable to source local flowers or don't have access" - Danielle, owner of Magnolia's Garden.


Magnolia’s Yarden also has a sister company, Flower Market California, which provides farm-fresh flowers locally and nationwide. They are honored to grow alongside diverse local growers in their community and make their flowers accessible.


Visit www.magnoliasyarden.com and www.flowermarketca.com to learn more. Be sure to follow them on social media as well!


Facebook | Instagram

Transportation Updates

If you missed our latest announcement, we have secured new FedEx Freight (pallet) rates which are now available to the membership. Our new offering boasts 89% discount for LTL Domestic Priority and LTL Domestic Economy, plus several surcharge discounts adding extra value to these exceptional rates. Since FedEx Freight is a separate division of FedEx, members will need to contact me, Chris Johnson directly to be linked, but the process is simple. So, if highly discounted Door to Door pallet rates interest you, we can help. 


The 2024 CalFlowers FedEx Program Summary and Rates are now up on our website. Please visit cafgs.org for more information.


A few other reminders:

  • For those wanting to know who your FedEx representative is, or if you want to be contacted by FedEx, please email me your FedEx account number and I will respond with information on your FedEx contact. It’s always a good practice to establish a relationship with your FedEx representative. They can be an asset when needed.
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For those shippers shipping volumes over and above what is normally shipped, GLS also needs to know. Please notify your driver or customer service team.


New for 2024 are exclusive GLS Ground rates. Now members have the option to ship Priority or Ground when shipping on GLS. The main difference is the time of day the delivery takes place and some product guarantees. For typical floral shipments, Priority with a morning to noon delivery time is the solution. For more hardy products or hard goods, GLS Ground can be an excellent choice. No matter what service is selected, our CalFlowers GLS program is an outstanding value offering consistent on-time service.


The CalFlowers GLS program is one of our popular, most value-priced offerings, with discounts well over 70% off standard rates. GLS offers later pick-ups and earlier deliveries while providing express door-to-door services covering CA, AZ, NV, OR, WA, NM, UT, and ID. Members who want to ship on GLS must sign up in advance. It’s easy and just takes a few minutes. Please contact Chris Johnson for more details at (760) 533-5580 or chris@cafgs.org.  

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For our members shipping cargo on airlines, we’d like to remind you that we just had a significant update to our Alaska Air Cargo program. We are pleased to add the state of Alaska to our discounts! Now members in Alaska can ship OUTBOUND nationwide, from any major airport in Alaska (serviced by Alaska Airlines), for super discounted Express rates. Member shippers just need a CID number and to sign up with us. 


Additionally, we added SEA and PDX to our program. Now the Pacific Northwest can ship to California at our highly discounted Express rates. Again, members just need a CID number and to sign-up.


Did you know Alaska Airlines is the largest airline operator out of San Diego. They have 67 daily flights to 33 non-stop destinations.


Click Here for the latest in Alaska Cargo News.


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Welcome To Our Newest CalFlowers Members

2/2/24 - 3/19/24

Associate Floral

21 Petals - Lafayette, IN


Express Seed Company & Green Circle Growers - Oberlin, OH


Jacobson - Boston, MA


Ninfa Flowers LLC - Miami, FL


SunRite - Miami, FL


Union Floral Wholesale, LLC - El Dorado, AZ


Associate Grower

C&D Peonies LLC - Anchor Point, AK


Floriculture Micro Farm - Spring Grove, PA


Garden Sweet LLC - Fort Collins, CO


Palm Pike - York, SC

Associate Service

ShipPlug - Miami, FL


Floral

Florasource Ltd. - San Clemente, CA


Joyful Blossoms - La Habra


Monte Vista Floral - Upland, CA


Ontario Orchids - Vista, CA


Phoenix Blooms Farm - San Diego, CA


Plants Without Borders - Alameda, CA

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