Floral Associations In The OG Bag?

[kt4ye]

One of the things that has alway puzzled me is why the local, regional and National Floral Associations are so indifferent to the Blatently Deceptive actions of ALL the OGs?

When puzzling things have happened in MY past, I noticed that whenever something seemed particularly puzzling, when I FOLLOWED THE MONEY everything became clear.

So... for those that may be "In The Know," I would like to ask:

How much of the Funding for the various "Florist" organizations comes from the FLORIST MEMBERS and how much comes from the OGs INCLUDING FTD, TF and 1-800-FLOWERS?

PMs will be fine if you feel uncomfortable in a public forum.

Bill

 

[bloomz]

I think you would find a major part of their entire funding comes from them.

They can't help it - its a necessity for survival.

This is why we caused a shut down the SAF board way back when and formed the first independent floristboard. Was that about 10 years ago?

Domain Name: FLORISTBOARD.COM
Created on: 16-Aug-99

 

[lizzie ann]

I think you would find a major part of their entire funding comes from them.

They can't help it - its a necessity for survival.

This is why we caused a shut down the SAF board way back when and formed the first independent floristboard. Was that about 10 years ago?

Domain Name: FLORISTBOARD.COM
Created on: 16-Aug-99

I am on the Illinois State florist board. FTD and TEL sponsor one speaker each out of 6 designers for the convention.1-800 flowers in not involved nor has it ever been. But that is all,other than buying a booth in the trade show. Our money is generated from the wholesalers,vendors in the trade show and registrations. We also have a designer com and do an advance hands on class and he is our choosing. Sometimes they will have a sponsor to help offset the flowers used,sometimes not. This class more than pays for itself.Oasis,sydicate sales all donate material
So I think that in our case it is not correct to assume that they fund our organization.

 

[kt4ye]

This is why we caused a shut down the SAF board way back when and formed the first independent floristboard.

I'm sorry? I don't understand what you are saying here. Could you please expand on this a bit?

I know there is/must be some relationship between SAF and FTD if only 'cuz I have my SAF dues included as a part of my monthly FTD invoice.

Bill

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

I am on the Illinois State florist board. FTD and TEL sponsor one speaker each out of 6 designers for the convention.1-800 flowers in not involved nor has it ever been. But that is all,other than buying a booth in the trade show. Our money is generated from the wholesalers,vendors in the trade show and registrations. We also have a designer com and do an advance hands on class and he is our choosing. Sometimes they will have a sponsor to help offset the flowers used,sometimes not. This class more than pays for itself.Oasis,sydicate sales all donate material
So I think that in our case it is not correct to assume that they fund our organization.

a little off topic.....not what was "asked"....

 

[BOSS]

One of the things that has alway puzzled me is why the local, regional and National Floral Associations are so indifferent to the Blatently Deceptive actions of ALL the OGs?

Bill, I'm not sure they are indifferent, but they do rely on funding resources/instructors/materials etc from the very people killing parts of this industry, because local retail florists do not support them financially with enough funds to operate without the major coN's in the game.

SAF has moved a little left of center on the issue, by printing editorials that elude to the ongoing issues. Other organizations too have "allowed" us to publicly state the problems. Thing is, the apathy among the mom and pop slob florists does not generate enough pressure to force them to change.

 

[Rhonda]

I know that our members have expressed concern regarding OG's especially at the last Mother's Day when apparently some of our educated florists realized the low ball prices without delivery charges. When they began to ask for more money, their orders were cancelled and resent exactly as the previous orders were causing much more labor regarding the "machine to machine" order systems. Yes, our Association has addressed this problem with those members in a business atmosphere seminar.
We utilize the education dollars from the WS to put on our shows twice per year. They are "vendors" just as the wholesalers, ribbon companies, basket companies who donate to the show not only supply wise but booth space, advertising in our booklets, and purchasing meals.
Teleflora continues to sponsor smaller design seminars but those are the cost of the Unit....unit dues pay for those shows not the WS themselves.

 

[BamaE4U]

I thought Lizzie covered it quite well . . . .

a little off topic.....not what was "asked"....

In other words, besides supplying designers, no cash is deposited.
At least that's the story here in Alabama. You almost have to BEG for designers these days.

They do purchase full page ads in some of the Association Newsletters, although I haven't been very successful in getting that done for Alabama.

Maybe they read my Newsletters. . . . I give the OG's a hard time in my Editorials.
When the TFTD800 reps show up at our shows, they love to see me coming, they all want to know what the latest is on FlowerChat.

 

[cherrie]

This year's meeting of NAFA - National Association of Floral Associations, took place here, in Colorado. I attended the first dinner, which was sponsored by Bloomnet. FTD was present, Teleflora was present. Obviously, they threw a bunch of money into the pot to make the event happen. I realized at dinner, after a drink or two, that we allow ourselves to take their sponsorships big time.
FTD and Teleflora does donate quite a bit to our floral association CRFA, Colorado Retail Florists Association (name to change this upcoming year, we are morphing from a florists board to a industry wide board).

I don't know the answer, industry wide.
FTD and Teleflora used to be a huge part of my business. I think that I personally, have figured out how not to be so angry with them. I don't allow them to control my business any longer.

As a whole, much of our industry is depended upon them. We've allowed it to happen. Dwight Larimer, from Design Master, explained to me this summer. The guy that owned ProFlowers is from the Boulder Area. Dwight relayed a conversation he had with him a while ago. The Proflowers guy(don't know his name) explained to Dwight that we florists used to have it all. We had the platform and system in place to transfer our orders and control the internet part of our industry. And, we blew it. We were lazy. We didn't keep up on our own personal internet necessities and evolve them, and allowed a company like ProFlowers to come in and take over.

Whose fault is that? We've allowed the wire services and order gatherers to thrive. And, we take whatever they give to us.

 

[lizzie ann]

a little off topic.....not what was "asked"....

I disagree Mikey...I consider ISFA a local and regional organization.Just because we aren't as big as SAF or AIFD etc etc don't over look us.

 

[mcf]

I disagree Mikey...I consider ISFA a local and regional organization.Just because we aren't as big as SAF or AIFD etc etc don't over look us.

Ditto here for The Allied Florists of Houston & Texas State Florists Association. Retailers are just not willing to foot the bill for continuing education. Our wholesalers are extremely supportive and generous with us, but they don't have the kind of money the wire services have. BloomNet, FTD, & Telelfora do a great deal to assist us with education. They also advertise in publications. The downside is that it makes is difficult to discuss wrire service related issues in an open forum. However, I believe all have been receptive to negative feedback in one-on-one discussions and small forums.

Teleflora, in particular, invests a great deal in education. This is one of the reasons I chose Team Teleflora.

 

[SpringCity]

SAF is all over other industries who say bad things about florists, like jewelry co's who say "flowers die" etc, and rightly so.

So, why aren't they all over dOG's who leech from our industry??? Is that the question? I'd like to know the answer too.

 

[cherrie]

The wire services sponsor our industry as a whole.
Commercials, media advertising, exposing our culture to flowers.
They also move many, many flowers.
SAF is a political atmosphere and it needs flowers to get moved.

I don't know if the wire services directly support SAF, but they sure do indirectly.

I think we need to take responsibility into our own hands.
If the og couldn't get their orders filled, what would happen?
They would either have to get their OWN order making and delivering product centers in place - or - find something else to peddle.

I really get upset with my friends that take orders from FU flowers, then complain about what buttheads they are.

Instead of reinventing the wheel,
Why don't we find ways to manage one of the existing services?
My bet would be for Teleflora???????????

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Floral Associations In The OG Bag?

so Bill.....let me get this straight...are you "asking" for an opinion, or, do YOU have something that you're particularly interested in??
YOUR question "seems" to "ask"......ARE the "Floral Associations" completely in bed with the OG "mafia"......and basically "owned" by them??
The fact that funding comes from different wire services, for floral sponsored events, is NOT along the lines that I believed you were "asking" about......
"Clean up in aisle 7"......

 

[kt4ye]

Floral Associations In The OG Bag?

so Bill.....let me get this straight...are you "asking" for an opinion, or, do YOU have something that you're particularly interested in??
YOUR question "seems" to "ask"......ARE the "Floral Associations" completely in bed with the OG "mafia"......and basically "owned" by them??
The fact that funding comes from different wire services, for floral sponsored events, is NOT along the lines that I believed you were "asking" about......
"Clean up in aisle 7"......

Hey Mikey...

A quotation from Horton: " I said what I meant, and I meant what I said..."

At this point, I am in a data gathering mode.

I find it strange that the groups that SHOULD be acting on behalf of the individual florists -- and the floral industry -- are absolutely silent on the subject of OGs.

Think about it.

When is the last time that you attended a floral convention, and one of the seminar titles was, "Dealing With Order Gatherer Orders?"

Has anyone EVER seen such a topic?

So, WHY? Or WHY NOT?

One plausible explanation is that the members of the floral industry are NOT INTERESTED in such a topic.

Another possibility is that the Floral Organizations are "in the bag" of the major OGs.

There may be other explanations.

I would suggest that a hint as to the answer is already contained in several of the previous responses to this thread.

Do I have an an opinion? You betcha. But once or twice in my life (!?) my opinion has been wrong. Hence the question.

Maybe I should have asked this as a POLL question.

Hey Mr. Moderator... is it too late?

Bill

 

[kt4ye]

Thank You

Thanks ro everyone that replied -- some via PM.

I was hoping for a bit more data from the forum, but what was said -- and some additional inputs from other sources -- has led me to these 2 conclusions:

• CASH contributions from FTD, TF and 1-800 are insignificant
• "In Kind" contributions, including hosting parties, Sponsoring design events (NOT CHEAP), providing forum participants (not cheap), trade show booths ( are they REALLY there to sign up new members or are they just "showing the flag"?) and other such items seem to be a very important part of the life of most Floral Associations

Let me now ask this question: If a wholesaler was actively soliciting RETAIL CONSUMER business at the same time and with the same or LOWER prices as they sell to the florist, would they be welcome at any FLORIST events? Even if they paid for a booth, sponsored seminars, parties and speakers?

How is that different from the current situation with TFTD800?

Poge said, "We have met the enemy, and they are us."

Bill

 

[RWK]

Bill, I don't know if this has any bearing on your question or not......but I have done a few design seminars as the presenter and while I was undergoing my Tennessee sabbatical....I was asked to do one with Bloomnet as the main sponsor. When I asked what material the sponsor wanted me to focus on ( as a good show presenter should do ) Although it was not said in so many words, the underlying gist was not to discuss the OG situation.

 

[theRKF]

I think you would find a major part of their entire funding comes from them.

They can't help it - its a necessity for survival.

This is why we caused a shut down the SAF board way back when and formed the first independent floristboard. Was that about 10 years ago?

Domain Name: FLORISTBOARD.COM
Created on: 16-Aug-99

I think the biggest dilemma facing the organizations is that to fund the events & services without WS involvement means charging florists more than they are willing to pay.

In the end, florists have to decide to commit to paying more for truly independent organizations OR paying for those organizations indirectly through funding WSs and enabling OGs.

Ryan

 

[CHR]

The WSs giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other.

To wit:

California Floral Association. A few of us members and the association executive staff wrote letter after letter and made call after call in support of legislation to prohibit phony local florist advertising. It passed both houses in the state by more than 2/3rds vote, only to be vetoed by the Governator.

The largest private land owner in CA happens to own a WS and be a top contributor to the governor. All it would have taken was one phone call to get the governor's signature but many of us suspect the opposite happened.

But then who sponsored the design show at the recent state meeting? That same WS. Only... the attendance keeps dropping and dropping and association dues-paying members decrease every year - in part because florists don't see the group's efforts as effective or relevant to their businesses.

Some of us have lobbied loudly to have the association focus on business development programs for shop owners.

But year after year, the group goes back to the same format, the same WS design programs and gets the continued decreasing attendance (no matter how good the WS-sponsored design program is). I believe there were only a little more than a 100 full paid registrations this year - with the majority being students, beginning designers and family members of Top Ten competitors.

Associations need to provide relevance to their core membership and without it, the membership (and potential new members) votes with its dollars and spends them elsewhere.

 

[mcf]

Some of us have lobbied loudly to have the association focus on business development programs for shop owners.

We've tried business programs and always have a few. Florists say they want them, but then do not attend ~ even when it's free.

It's design shows that bring in the numbers, specifically wedding and sympathy. Hands-on corsage classes always sell out first.