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In This Issue ...
- CalFlowers Board Changes and Additions
- A New Chapter Opens for TSFA Executive Director Dianna Nordman AAF
- Optimizing the Efficacy of Beneficial Bacteria Against Botrytis Blight in Greenhouse Crops
- Member Spotlight: Arizona Flower Market
- Transportation Updates
- Welcome New CalFlowers Member
2024
Save The Dates
NexGen Live
DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
February 25 – 27, 2024
San Diego, CA
IFPA - Floral Conference Anaheim
February 27, 2024
Anaheim, CA
A World of Flowers
Great Lakes Floral Assn.
March 1 – 3, 2024
DeVos Place
Grand Rapids, MI
PHS Philadelphia Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center
March 2 – 10, 2024
Philadelphia, PA
WF&FSA Floral Distribution Conference
The Doral (Registration starts in fall)
March 3 – 6, 2024
Miami, FL
WUMFA Annual Conference
Flower Power
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center
March 15 – 17, 2024
Green Bay, WI
44th Annual SAF Congressional Action Days
March 18 -19, 2024
Washington, DC
FFA Convention
March 21- 24, 2024
Sacramento, CA
FloriExpo
Cultivating the Floral Community
June 5 – 7, 2024
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Texas Floral Forum
Omni La Mansion on the Riverwalk
June 21 - 23, 2024
|San Antonio, TX
Slow Flowers Summit
Banff Centre for the Arts
June 23-25, 2024
Banff, Alberta, Canada
2024 AIFD “Emerge”
July 2 – 6, 2024
Orlando, FL
California State Fair
July 12 – 28, 2024
Sacramento, CA
WF&FSA DevX 2024
July 23 - 26, 2024
San Francisco, CA
SAF’s Annual Convention
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
August 6 – 9, 2024
Aventura, FL
2024 Fun 'N Sun Floral Convention
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
September 4 - 7
Carlsbad, CA
IFPA
October 17 - 19, 2024
Atlanta, GA
2024 Texas Floral Showcase
The Petroleum Club
October 17, 2024
Midland, TX
2024 Texas Floral Showcase
Shady Villa Event Center and Hotel
November 2, 2024
Salado, TX
Latest Legislation
Updates:
Click Here to read the latest Legislative updates.
Is a cooperative effort to get more Americans enjoying more flowers, more often. From upscale florists, farmers markets or grocery stores — as long as people are bringing home flowers regularly, that’s good enough for us.
We want everyone to experience the impact of flowers on a daily basis. They’re a beautiful, natural dose of feel-good, so why should they be reserved for special occasions?
Even the most modest bouquet of flowers can have all sorts of positive short and long term effects on how we feel — in other words, it’s that flower feeling.
Click Here and request access to all of the FREE Assets That Flower Feeling has to offer.
FLOWERS.
SELF CARE MADE EASY.
Self care has become a lot of work. You gotta pamper, practice mindfulness, balance life and work, and be awesome at all of them. Flowers on the other hand are self care made easy. They won't replace working out or eating well. But they're a spiritual tune-up. So treat yourself to a little off-the-shelf self care.
CalFlowers Featured
"New Member" Spotlights
To see all of our past Featured "New Member" Spotlight stories Click Here.
If your company would like to be a featured "New Member", please contact Monnaie Pepin for more details.
Past CalFlowers Newsletters
Click Here to view past CalFlowers Newsletters now available on our website.
CalFlowers News
Our goal is to communicate with our members and interested parties on a monthly basis about recent, past, and upcoming events, program updates, and general information about CalFlowers engagement in the industry on behalf of the membership.
If you have an announcement or story you think our members should see, contact Monnaie Pepin, Director of Communications, Events and Administration.
2023 - 2024
Membership Directory Available Online
To purchase additional printed copies of the 2023 - 2024 Membership Directory please Contact Jordan Richardson.
For Members Only Access
Click Here for a quick reference guide on how to log into the members only site.
CalFlowers
Social Media
Show That You Are A Proud Member of CalFlowers!
CalFlowers Members in good standing are now welcome and encouraged to use the CalFlowers logo to show that they are proud members of the Association. Read the full logo policy, suggested uses, and download the logo by visiting the CalFlowers membership portal and selecting “Marketing Tools” on the dropdown menu:
https://cafgs.memberclicks.
net/marketing-tools
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CalFlowers Board Changes and Additions
 Join us in celebrating the unwavering dedication and impactful legacies of our esteemed past presidents, Frank Biddle and Ivor Van Wingerden (Pictured left with Jeanne Boes). Their invaluable contributions have paved the way for CalFlowers' continued success.
 We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our newly appointed leaders, President Jeanne Boes and Vice President Robin van der Schaaf (Pictured right). Their vision, passion, and commitment to the floral industry make them ideal torchbearers to carry forward the mission and vision of CalFlowers.
 CalFlowers would also like to welcome our newest Board Director, Cagney Miller, (Pictured left). She is the Sales and Operations Specialist for Mobi’s Nursery in Carpinteria, CA. Her primary roles include managing their wholesale accounts, overseeing mass market production, and designing for their mass market sales and marketing division, B-Fresh Floral.
In addition to being an integral part of the Mobi’s production team, she is also very involved on the farm side of the business, participating in crop selection based on both production needs and trends of the mass market industry.
Cagney has 10+ years of floral industry experience, starting at Mobi’s sister company, Ocean Breeze Farms, where she held administrative roles and worked the company’s farmers markets. Over the years she has participated in both California Cut Flower Commission and Certified American Grown committees and been featured in Florists Review’s 35 Under 35.
Cagney lives in Ventura with her husband, their two rambunctious sons, and two lazy cats.
Click Here to view our entire Board of Directors.
A New Chapter Opens for TSFA Executive Director Dianna Nordman AAF
Some thirty two years ago, in 1991, a young woman, well versed in finance and serving as Manager of the TSFA Credit Union, accepted the promotion as Executive Director of the Texas State Florists’ Association. Over three decades, she has celebrated the peaks and addressed the valleys that have contributed to an association that is known today as one of the strongest floral associations in the country with achievements on multiple platforms. At the dawn of her retirement, we highlight a few of the accomplishments that will define the legacy of TSFA Executive Director Dianna Nordman AAF, (Pictured above).
Her thorough understanding, that an association is centered around member representation, underlies each advancement. She has long directed projects to completion while always giving the credit to others. She has long understood that her purpose was focused on the greater good, illustrated best by her work with the Texas Department of Agriculture at the onset of Covid. Her dedicated work, on behalf of TSFA, resulted in listing Texas florists and their suppliers as essential businesses, keeping doors open throughout the pandemic. While this work addressed a vital member need, it also provided an opportunity for the Texas floral industry to excel during this most challenging time.
Click Here to read the press release.
Click Here to see the e-blast announcement.
Optimizing the Efficacy of Beneficial Bacteria Against Botrytis Blight in Greenhouse Crops
A team of researchers at The Ohio State University, led by Dr. Michelle Jones, is making advances in using beneficial bacteria to combat botrytis infestations on petunia. Fungicides are routinely used to control Botrytis; however, botrytis can quickly develop resistance to those chemicals. Beneficial bacteria provide a non-chemical option for botrytis management. Dr. Jones’ laboratory has screened a collection of bacteria for their ability to control botrytis blight in petunia. They found that combining bacteria strains can be a powerful tool in creating a microbial biocontrol agent with efficacy in a diverse variety of floriculture crops. They also identified key lab assays that should be conducted to evaluate bacteria so informed decisions can be made on what bacteria to combine for future product formulation. This research was possible through the contributions of AFE’s Thrips and Botrytis Campaign sponsors, including CalFlowers. Read the full article here. 
Member Spotlight: Arizona Flower Market
 Nestled in the heart of Arizona, the Arizona Flower Market draws inspiration from the vibrant flower markets of major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. As a unique and innovative concept, they bring wholesale flowers to the public.
"At the Arizona Flower Market, we cater to anyone with a passion for floristry and a desire to create stunning arrangements. Whether our customers are planning an event, a special occasion, or simply want to brighten their living space with beautiful blooms, our market is their one-stop shop for all floral DIY needs.
What sets us apart is our commitment to providing a shopping experience like that of a professional florist. Our market is a treasure of exquisite flowers, foliage, and floral supplies, allowing our customers to choose and design like an expert. You'll find an extensive array of fresh, high-quality flowers from around the world, ensuring that your creations will be nothing short of spectacular.
Beyond the remarkable selection, our unwavering focus is on delivering the best customer service. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to assist our customers in selecting the perfect florals, offering expert advice, and helping you bring your floral visions to life. We are dedicated to making their visit to the Arizona Flower Market not just a shopping trip but a memorable and enjoyable experience."
Visit azflowermarket.com to learn more and be sure to give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
If you are a CalFlowers member and would like to be featured in a future member spotlight, please fill out this form and send it to jordan@cafgs.org.
Transportation
The Christmas Holiday busy shipping period is here, and as we all know, the overnight carriers are extremely busy during this time. With that said, members should expect possible delivery delays and even extended pick-up times. FedEx is working hard to make this time of year like any other time of year but just be cognoscente that shipping volumes are up, and our carriers are operating in a stressed environment.
January is the month that we will see general rate increases (GRI’s) from our D2D carriers. At this time, we cannot confirm what our percentage rate increase is going to be from FedEx in 2024. As soon as we know, we will pass it on.
A few other reminders:
- Each year FedEx imposes additional surcharges during the peak shipping season. That period begins October 2 and extends through January 14th. FedEx now calls it “Demand” season. Most of these Demand season fees ($6.95) do not apply to us except for boxes that are:
- Over 50 lbs.
- Greater than 48” in length
- Or irregular size
- For more information on these end of year Peak/Demand fees, click here: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/rate-changes/demand-surcharges.html
- For the latest on the FedEx Money-Back-Guarantee (MBG) click on this informative link below. Looks like FedEx is keeping the MBG in effect but with a grace period. https://www.fedex.com/en-us/service-guide/money-back-guarantee.html
- I have also seen an increase in incorrect billing mainly due to scanning errors creating incorrect box sizes and/or logging incorrect weights making the invoice typically higher than expected. To inquire, contact the FedEx billing department (800-622-1147) and have them open a file/case. They will investigate and be in touch. If you need help, your local FedEx rep can help.
- 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.
- You can have your shipments held at your nearby FedEx Office instead being delivered to your door. Having shipments held at your local FedEx office can help with temperature management since your boxes will be stored in a temperature-controlled office rather riding in a truck all morning. It’s also true that you can drop off your shipments at your local FedEx office. This can be advantage for some parts of the country where having your packages standing by in a FedEx office is preferable to being in a truck for hours.
- As we know, keeping an eye on the weather, nationally as well as locally is important, and a great way of doing that is by routinely checking the “Service Alerts” section of the FedEx website each morning for the latest updates. Here you will find the most current alerts and service disruption alerts updated each day.
For those members looking for good general information on Surcharges and Claims, the following information can be helpful.
This first resource offers information regarding surcharges and fees. Keep in mind that the CalFlowers program offers members MANY surcharge and fee reductions that are significantly lower than these standard surcharges, however it’s still a good reference point and has some clear definitions on what each fee/surcharge is. If you would like a summary of your program surcharge / fee discounts and waivers, please check our website or email Chris Johnson (chris@cafgs.org) for a copy.
The second resource is very helpful when you need to file a claim for damaged or lost product. Keep in mind, a product claim is different from our Money Back Guarantee, which applies to shipping charges and is handled differently. Product claims are more involved and can be confusing, but this resource helps navigate the process.
To all our new members who are just starting with FedEx shipping, they have a helpful “Customer Training” service that is available upon request. This service offers shippers direct one-on-one assistance from FedEx covering many of the questions new shippers may have. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Chris Johnson via email: chris@cafgs.org. FedEx also has some excellent information for new shippers on their website. Visit: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/get-started.html for a good summary of what FedEx offers.
For members needing FedEx Tech Support, this phone number takes your right into the department (877) 339-2774. They can help with many tech-related issues including guidance regarding on-line shipping platforms.
We would also like to remind members to stay current with their FedEx Express shipping invoices. FedEx payment terms are 15 days. All members shipping on FedEx Express are expected to stay within the FedEx payment terms. To obtain your invoice details and payment options, please contact FedEx Customer Service.
For members shipping on GLS, please note that from Oct 30th to Jan 7th, shipments will incur a “Peak Season Surcharge” of $1.25 flat fee per shipment. This is discounted from their current $1.50 fee. Keep in mind this only applies to Residential deliveries.
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.
GLS has been very receptive to our requests for program improvements. They have added the following features to our program for members to utilize.
- GLS will now honor product claims. Yes, if GLS is at fault (acts of God, not included) and the product arrives damaged, significantly late, or just missing, members now can file a claim. We highly recommend member shippers to indicate the correct Declared Value to be covered.
- GLS will credit (100%) of the shipping costs if your shipment is not delivered on the day promised. Bad weather is excluded. Members will need to request this within 48 hours at customerservice@gls-us.com.
- GLS has given our account access to a special premium team of Customer Service agents. This high-level group was designed for fast response and problem solving. Please contact Chris Johnson for access to this important resource.
- GLS has a new revamped website. Check it out at https://www.gls-us.com. Additionally, I recommend trying this handy Delivery Rates & Times Calculator to view delivery dates and estimated time of arrival.
Airlines:
As an update to the Alaska Air Cargo iCargo system update, I’m told booking is back online and most website features are functioning. If you find you need help with shipping on Alaska, please contact their Cargo Call Center for assistance with bookings (800) 225-2752 from 5AM to 9PM PST daily or for tracking/tracing our Cargo Call Center (877) 815-8254 (24/7/365).
For issues outside of booking, tracking and tracing you can reach Amy.Wilson@AlaskaAir.com for assistance.
For our members shipping cargo on airlines, we’d like to remind you that just we 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.
Newly added lane segments from Alaska Airlines are:
- SAN to TPA and EUG in October
Alaska Airlines has also added frequency to these lane segments:
- LAX to SFO
- FAT to SAN
- SAN to SFO
- SAN to STS
- SFO to SNA
- SNA to STS
For the latest in Alaska Cargo News, Check out this https://www.alaskaaircargoconnections.com/.
Here is also a handy link for commonly asked questions: https://www.alaskacargo.com/faqs
For members wanting to get in touch with our Alaska Air Cargo Regional Sales Manager, California, Mike Narowski can be reached at mike.narowski@alaskaair.com.
If you have been taking advantage of our new CalFlowers/Alaska Airlines shipping program, you know this offering really delivers when it comes to value. Our program offers EXCELLENT pricing to many areas of the country from California, Portland, Seattle and now Alaska. Check out all the program details on our website. To sign-up, contact Chris Johnson at chris@cafgs.org.
NOTE: Transportation Rate information and documents are viewable/downloadable as PDFs on the CalFlowers Members Only site. Please note that these documents are considered sensitive material and are available to the primary contacts for Ag Buddy, Associate Floral, Associate Grower, and Floral members.
Welcome New CalFlowers Members
We are pleased to welcome the following new CalFlowers members from November 3 - December 7, 2023:
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