FC Southern Cal Get-Together

Would you be interested in attending a So Cal FC Get-Together?

  • Yes - Sunday, April 30 works for me.

    Votes: 5 50.0%

  • Yes - Sunday, May 21 works for me.

    Votes: 3 30.0%

  • Yes - I'd like to attend but neither of those days work with my schedule.

    Votes: 1 10.0%

  • No - Seeing a bunch of FC people in the same room is a scary thought.

    Votes: 3 30.0%
  • Total voters
    10
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
CHR

CHR

Design matters
Nov 28, 2002
8,951
8,442
113
Anaheim
www.avantegardens.com
State / Prov
CA
Phil and I would like to host a get-togther for FC florists at our home in Fullerton, CA if there's interest. Seems we have a fair amount of active members in the area and it might be fun to just swap notes, stories and tips in person. (I'd also like to discuss some CA issues about deceptive advertising and what we might be able to accomplish if we work together.)

I've included a poll to see if A - there's interest and B - if so, what date works best. I'm thinking a Sunday from noonish to 4 p.m. would be convenient for most of us based on work days and our lovely So Cal traffic. ;)

Kids are welcome since our 8-year-old Rosie enjoys company.

Food and drinks are on us. Hope you can make it.
 
Thanks for the responses and phone calls. :)

We're on for Sunday April 30 - noon.

Please PM me to let me know how many folks you're bringing (spouse, partner, friend, kids, etc...) so I can plan for food.

The house has a strong Asian influence and was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. It's multi-level and every room opens out to a deck or a garden so if you bring little, little ones, you might want to do like I did with Rosie and keep the bungee cords and duct tape handy. ;)

Again - hope everyone in the area can make it.

Cathy
 
Reminder

So Cal FlowerChat Get-together
Sunday, April 30, noonish until ?

Phil & Cathy Rulloda's
1710 N Acacia
Fullerton CA 92831
(714) 446-9976
Yahoo Map

Brunch will be served.

Please confirm that you and any family/friends will be attending by posting here or sending me a PM.

Fun, food, friends and real live chat. Hope to see you here.
 
Darn it!!! I have to be up in San Jose this weekend! And May 21st is the SWAIFD Brunch in Palm Springs.

Maybe next time......

Have a great time! Give my best to Phil & the rest of the gang!!! Hope to see you soon.

~ Kim
 
I'll be there with my wife and kids!

Who knew FlowerChat would grow into regional get-togethers? Maybe this is the first of future FlowerChat events in which we florists network and socialize with each other?

Before you know it, there will be a National FlowerChat Real Florist Convention!!

Frank
Golden Rose Florist
Rosemead, California
 
Frank said:
Before you know it, there will be a National FlowerChat Real Florist Convention!!

Now that's an absolutely inspired idea. :)

V
Click to expand...
 
Darn.........Proflowers!!??? I was SOOOOO looking forward to checking out Todd Oldhams latest designs
See ya
Marilee
 
Well... The report about PF was incorrect but we did have a gorgeous hand-delivered arrangement from rich; featuring fritillaria, callas, poppies, foliages and a tiara for moi. See below.

It was great to renew old friendships and acquaintances and meet new fellow florists passionate about the biz.

Discussion ranged from... well pretty much everything said here at FC - to 'and then some'....
  • having a larger meeting of local florists in the fall and enlisting a few wholesalers to help fund and promote it.
  • collectively marketing in the So Cal area
  • what 'big ideas' have been tried in the past, what went nowhere, and why
  • strategies to gain attention in the media on florist/consumer issues
All in all 20 folks, some pictured below. Note: Did anyone think Eric was so tall? Also, I must say that FC members have cute kids. (Sadly, I forgot to get their photos.)

Photo: From L to R, front row: AK from San Dimas Florist (guest of an Frank), Marilee (MARSMF) of San Marcos Florist, Rich of The Flower Place, Fountain Valley
Back Row: Your truly, Bob from City of Industry (guest of an Frank), Frank and John from Golden Rose, Rosemeade, Eric_S from Everyday Flowers, Tustin, Gene (wildeone) and Bev (WBN) from Wild By Nature, San Dimas.
 

Attachments

  • Rich Frit.jpg
    Rich Frit.jpg
    36.6 KB · Views: 27
  • FlowerChat So Cal web.jpg
    FlowerChat So Cal web.jpg
    142.8 KB · Views: 46
Chr.....

Cathy......this "event" will go down in history as the FIRST FlowerChat "convention"!!
Let me be the FIRST to congratulate your efforts!!
 
Great picture and yes sometimes I can't belive how tall I am.

I think the one thing that I didn't get to mention to everyone that I really wanted to share was the the change from being a heavy incoming order receiver and the impact on our business after terminating bloomnet FTD and cutting way back from teleflora. The change has been really positive to our business and has really allowed us to promote our own business. Our Vday was the best two day sales we have ever experienced with not one incoming order received and increase of total sales of about 30%. Our business has continued with this trend through the end of this month and to see more new customer growth continue is very encourging.

I think this meeting also showed how dificult things are when trying to unite some type of florist movement and that the answers to many of our problems are not immediate. I think many of us want to look towards one person for the answers but as it was mention it would take a strong group to get together to come up with a solution. I am looking forward to future meetings with other florist and to perhaps come up with those solutions together.

I really would like to see this group perhaps come together and work on ideas of some type of Co-op advertising in the future and that even though other attempts have failed I still think it would still be in our best intrest. I think after this meeting I have realized that there is so much more to do then to sit back and talk about our problems on the forums and you will see more at least from me.

Thank you Cathy and to your husband for taking the time today and the lilac smells great!!!
 
Cathy, You and Phil were such wonderful hosts! The food was great, your home was beautiful and comfortable, and we all had a fun time. Let's hope our small encounter grows to more FlowerChat get-togethers across the continent! We need more opportunities to network and implement ideas. There is power in numbers!

Thank you for putting it all together. Our industry is fortunate to have such a smart and savy leader such as yourself!

Frank
 
Have you forgotten the many FlowerChat gift show dinners you attended, Mikey :) Must be all the good Canadian beer Mikey enjoyed on those evenings... ;)

Ryan
 
Infinite said:
Have you forgotten the many FlowerChat gift show dinners you attended, Mikey :) Must be all the good Canadian beer Mikey enjoyed on those evenings... ;)

Ryan
Click to expand...

Ryan you took the words right out of my mouth! FC had it's first convention, and subsequent others in TO and surrounding areas. :)

V
 
We'll be happy to settle for the title of 'First South-of-the-Border Gathering". Ole'

Eric, thanks for your summary and making those good points.

Frank, thanks for bringing a couple 'oldies but goodies' to lend perspective. Funny how most of us were active in various efforts over the years but stepped aside due to group inertia and/or perceived lack of benefit.

The trick is to connect participation with benefit. If the national companies were fulfilling that mission (or even close to it), we wouldn't have done much more yesterday than talk about old florist war stories. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back