Ultimate Guide to the 2017 Great Lakes Floral Expo

Next week the Michigan Floral Association hosts the 2017 Great Lakes Floral Expo in Grand Rapids Michigan. This is one of the best events in the retail floral industry, packed with sessions designed to help florists be more successful. There is too much great content for any one participant to see it all, but here are some of the things that should not be missed:

 

How to Deal with the Ten Deadly Sins

Presented by Tim Huckabee, AIFSE* | Sponsored by FloristWare
Date: Friday, March 3, 2017 | Time: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Atrium in lower level of hotel

Tim Huckabee is the original and best sales trainer in the flower business. In this special all-day business session he'll tackle the ten deadly sins – the mistakes that afflict most florists and prevent them from being more profitable, organized and successful.

 

Floral Jewelry for Prom (FFA Student Certification Test Preparation)

Presented by Garrett Skupinski, CF, CFD* | Sponsored by DWF
Date: Friday, March 3, 2017 | Time: 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Location: Steelcase Ballroom B

Garrett is an outstanding designer and wonderful presenter. In this session he'll teach wire and glue techniques and students will learn to make simple floral necklaces and boutonnieres for a trend setting prom.

 

Improving Your Phone Skills

Presented by Tim Huckabee, AIFSE* | Sponsored by FloristWare
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2017 | Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Location: Steelcase Ballroom B

Florists that can't make the all-day session on Friday should try to make this one. Here Tim will tackle one of the most important aspects of the retail flower business – handling phone calls. Better phone skills mean bigger orders and happier customers. Learn from the best in the business and start seeing improvements as soon as you get back to your stores on Monday.

 

Are Your Using Your Website Real Estate Effectively?

Presented by Jamie Jameson Adams | Sponsored by Flower Shop Network
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2017 | Time: 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Location: Steelcase Ballroom B

In a field crowded with self-proclaimed experts is a true professional. In this session she'll show florists how to use their website to the greatest possible advantage for their flower business. Stop putting information in the wrong place and by better understanding the buying cycle and how it relates to website usage.

 

Success Tips for Owners and Managers Only

Presented by Tim Galea | Sponsored by MFA
Date: Saturday, March 4,2017 | Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Atrium, lower level of hotel 

Tim Galea is not just the owner of a very successful retail flower shop – he's regarded as one of the smartest operators in the business. In this session for owners and managers only he'll moderate an open discussion of issues and challenges relevant to business management and strategy. It will touch on everything including personnel issues, social media, internet advertising, and new ideas.

 

Everyday...Impacts...Everything

Presented by Jackie Lacey, AIFD, PFCI* | Sponsored by BloomNet
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2017 | Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Steelcase Ballroom B 

Jackie Lacey – an outstanding designer and excellent presenter will demonstrate how a few tricks can be manipulated to provide high impact style on a tight budget and add a new personalized twist to every design. He'll explore techniques that can be utilized to update, upgrade and upsell with a focus on today’s design style of giving more look for less money.

 

2016 Generations of Flower Study Results

Presented by Dwight Larimer, AAF, PFCI* | Sponsored by American Floral Endowment
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2017 | Time: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Steelcase Ballroom B 

In 2016 the American Floral Endowment (in partnership with the Society of American Florists) released their Generations of Flower Study. In this session Dwight Larimer will break down and present this valuable information that can help florists sell more flowers.

 

There are other great sessions at the 2017 GLFE – including (but not limited to) the Designer of the Year Run Off (hosted by Jerome Raska) and Chopped...the MFA Pro-Am Tournament (a lot of fun). These are just a few that are likely to both engage and enable florists to be more successful.

 

* If you have ever been curious about what all those initials like AIFD, CFF, CFFD, PFCI, etc. mean check out our complete guide to designations and post-nominals in the floral industry.