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Coast to Coast: February/March 2008
Industry news |
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Written by Canadian Florist staff
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Royal Green Hosts Open House
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Millie Wong, AIFD, CAFA inserts chocolate anthuriums into her design while behind her, Gary Li puts the finishing touches on his arrangements.
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Royal Green of Brampton, Ont., held their annual open house on Jan. 26.
The event was held in the company’s newly designed showroom and attendees were treated to a design show with J Schwanke, AIFD, PFCI, AAF, Jackie Headecker, AIFD, Gary Li and Millie Wong, AIFD, CAFA. Each designer put together several pieces using permanent and dried botanicals and then fielded questions from the audience of florists. J Schwanke talked to the audience about how important it is to “give credibility and value to what we do.” He said that florists should treat their products as works of floral art and price them accordingly. Another idea he talked about was establishing your shop as a third space (the first is home, the second is usually work) where people can come regularly to relax and get inspired.
Pat Humphrey – ‘Mr. FTD’ – Passes Away
Pat Humphrey, known to many in the industry as “Mr. FTD,” died on Dec. 4, 2007, at the Huronia District Hospital in Midland, Ont., in his 83rd year.
Formerly from the London and Toronto areas, Pat spent his younger adult years in the Royal Canadian Navy and later started his life association with Florist Transworld Delivery (FTD). Pat was the first field service representative hired by FTD and was responsible for the entire North American market.
“He literally built the wire service from the ground up,” says Ernie Cowden, a retired florist who spent time travelling with Pat while Ernie was with Flowers Canada. “He certainly was a great ambassador and a great educator for the wire service itself and the floral industry.”
Dick Woods is another retired florist who met Pat while he was a wire service rep. “He was very, very active and helped a great many
florists.”
Pat worked with FTD for 27 years. Prior to his retirement, Pat served his last five years with the company as the manager of the Canadian FTD office. Even after his official retirement at 65, Pat stayed on with FTD for two more years.
He will be missed by all in the industry.
QUEBEC GLEANINGS by Rita Truba
MONTREAL GARDENERS’ & FLORISTS’ CLUB
New officers for 2008 include:
President: Corinne Van Egmond
Past President: Joseph Botelho
Secretary-Treasurer: Catherine Van Egmond-Hajaly
Director: Peter Nissen
Director: Leif Jacobsen
Historic Committee: Rita Truba
REVENU QUEBEC
It’s open tax season on the floral industry, once again, after an eight-year lull. One Montreal florist was recently stung for tens of thousands of dollars. It is important that all accounting procedures be in perfect order. The last government shakedown put several florists out of business in Quebec.
JARDIN BOTANIQUE DE MONTRÉAL
The Christmas décor at the Botanical Gardens was truly a fantasy both for adults and children. Just three days away from Christmas, the gardens looked like a scene from the Nutcracker Suite, with décor that turned the whole floral setting into a magical fairyland. One of the most remarkable displays at the gardens was the Opuntia Choir in the Desert Greenhouse.
In Passing
RACHELLE EGESBORG OF LONGUE POINTE GREENHOUSES DIES
Rachelle Egesborg, the pillar of strength behind the family operation that was known as Longue Pointe Greenhouses in Montreal’s east end, passed away at the age of 95 on Jan. 6.
Rachelle was the matriarchal strength, as she ran her home and helped in the family business. Leo, her husband, served two terms as president of the Montréal Gardeners’ & Florists’ Club in 1957 and 1958. She is fondly remembered by all.
FTD Canadian Florist Conference
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FTD Canadian Florist Conference attendee Patrick Vilme takes a look at products from the Smithers-Oasis booth at the conference trade show.
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The 2008 FTD Canadian Florist Conference took place in Toronto on the weekend of Jan. 26. Registration and a comedy outing kicked off the conference Friday night.
Attendees had the opportunity to walk the trade show on Saturday and Sunday as well as pop in on the design shows and seminars that ran both days. FTD representatives were also present to chat one-on-one with florists about their website and POS system.
At the first speaker session, FTD Design Instructor Ann Jordan, AAF, AIFD, mmfd, talked about the business skills that designers need to possess. She advised florists to take notice of the customers who say “I’d love to work here!” because some of these customers could be your next great designer. She also shared several design ideas with the crowd. The afternoon speaker session featured Debbie Allen, an author and motivational speaker, who spoke on how florists can thrive in a changing marketplace.
Day three of the conference began with a morning session by Florafactor and Yahoo Canada web guru Darryl Peddle on how to grow your business using both online and e-mail marketing. FTD Design Instructor Ian Prosser AAF finished off the show’s speaker line-up in the afternoon when he shared his tips on how florists can really sell a party.
The weekend event attracted approximately 150 florists. Melanie Harrington, a designer with Lottie Jones Florist in Trenton, Ont., says it was her first time at the show. “I thought it would be a great learning experience,” says Harrington. She says she walked away with “a bunch of new design ideas” and found Ann Jordan’s session very informative. Jordan had advised florists not to ask the customer what they want to spend and instead offer them price points. Harrington says that she tried this tactic when she returned back to the shop and successfully made the sale.
Jody Gorman, a designer with Forest of Flowers in London, attended the conference with four others from the company. She enjoyed both of the designers and says the main thing she came away with was inspiration. “January’s always such a low and we needed a little inspiration before Valentine’s,” says Gorman. She says they all had an excellent time. Both florists say they hope to attend the show next year.
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