FTD Canadian Florists Conference.....

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Mikey the Flower Guy

Mikey the Flower Guy

It's a GREAT DAY to live, and love!
Nov 10, 2002
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Dundas, Ontario, Canada
www.hamiltonflorists.com
State / Prov
Ontario
is rapidly approaching in October, and with the "nationalization" of this former Ontario Florists Conference I was wondering if there would be interest in holding this conference OUTSIDE of Ontario, though Ontario has the highest population density!!
Seeing as FTD has chosen to break an old and archaic Major Convention into 5 smaller, and more regionalized conferences, modelled after the OFC, it would be prudent for the Conference Organizing Committee, to ALSO look at perhaps moving Canada's premier florist conference around the country as well!!
Since this is NOT likely to happen anytime soon, as MOST members of the conference committee work & play in Ontario, we need to keep an open mind and ask for your suggestions as to which part of the country, and at what venues might be preferred??
Needless to say, we are NOT likely to go into areas that are NOT well represented by a solid base of existing FTD membership shops, BUT, solid commitments from ANY group of decicated florists in a particular area should AND WILL be looked at, since they WILL BE RESPONSIBLE for the bulk of the legwork and conference infrastructure.
FTD is THE ONLY WS that gives back to it's members, ALONG WITH members of "other" wire service(s), and non member florists, these opportunities to augment and network with other florists on such a grand scale, with NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!
This is NOT a thread started that I will allow "bashing" of ANY wire service!! All such "bashing" WILL BE DELETED!!
We are looking for ideas from GROWN UP FLORISTS!!
 
I'd go to Vanouver, just to see the auction and West Van florist again :)

Ryan
 
Infinite said:
I'd go to Vanouver, just to see the auction and West Van florist again :)
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We try to get as many of our staff to this event as possible, we'd be unlikely to attend events where we would have to travel multiple days. Closing the store for multiple days is not an option.

Audra
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
...
FTD is THE ONLY WS that gives back to it's members, ALONG WITH members of "other" wire service(s), and non member florists, these opportunities to augment and network with other florists on such a grand scale, with NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!
This is NOT a thread started that I will allow "bashing" of ANY wire service!! All such "bashing" WILL BE DELETED!!
We are looking for ideas from GROWN UP FLORISTS!!
Click to expand...
Wow...since when did FC become such a draconian place? Not that I would bother anymore to bash any particular WS but, really, Mikey...the threat of such a hostile retaliation to a simple post is somewhat worrisome to me.

I am gone for 3 days and am wondering....is this the new face of FlowerChat?
 
12BucksFor2Dozon said:
Wow...since when did FC become such a draconian place? Not that I would bother anymore to bash any particular WS but, really, Mikey...the threat of such a hostile retaliation to a simple post is somewhat worrisome to me.

I am gone for 3 days and am wondering....is this the new face of FlowerChat?
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I didn't look at it as a "retaliation" at all. I think everyone on the FC knows where everyone else stands/feel about the WS so why not be able to ask a question and leave the repeated (over and over again) opinion on WS participation out of the answer....and I am not directing that at/to you or anyone in particular so please don't take it that way. It really has nothing to do about ws's...I took it to be more of a general question on location, location, location and what works for those that might be attending....
Mikey, in that vein, would you guys ever consider bringing it to the States and make it more of a "Continental Covention"?
Thanks,
Sher
 
We ARE.....

having THIS YEAR'S conference at The "INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL" Sher.
What you have in mind as a sort of CanAm Florist Convention/Conference ALREADY exists in the Niagara International Florist Conference that is attended by MANY Canadian AND US shops, usually in the spring, and is held every year, for TWO years each concurrently on BOTH sides of the border.
The OFC turned CFC is something "different" from that, and encompasses MORE direct peer to peer networking AND social functions that Mike Soenen himself has said as being some of the MOST fun he has ever had!!
Some tremendous soul searching and decision making is done at ALL these conferences, on BOTH sides of our borders, and even more so, many MORE friends and relationships are developed.
YES Sher.....OUR CFC is open armed when it comes to our US florist friends, NO DIFFERENT than the warm invites WE GET to attend YOUR conferences, and hopefully, one day, we CAN and WILL do this as ONE BIG HAPPY FLORIST FAMILY!!
 
Well boys & girls.....

THIS weekend FTD Canadian Florists Conference is rapidly approaching, and I'm looking very much forward to seeing many of you again, and meeting those of you in person, that I've not yet had the pleasure!!
The dynamics of this year's conference are just a tad different than before, but, THE FOCUS of the conference is THE SAME...and that's NETWORKING!!
Just this past week, a florist friend, ALSO on FC, mentioned that he disliked the crammed schedule on Sunday, of presentations, and workshops, and in his defense, and in many others, we've adapted to the little time that MOST FLORISTS have to offer, in their "absences" form their shops, and WE ALWAYS WANT ONE DAY for florists to meet, greet, network, and create friendships, and Saturdays are for that purpose!!
YES, things can be done a miriad of different ways, but NO, we won't turn the entire weekend into a "work weekend"...we ALL have enough of those!!
Good luck to you all, a safe journey, full preparations have kicked in, and we are all on tight schedules, so, see you'all there!!
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
The dynamics of this year's conference are just a tad different than before, but, THE FOCUS of the conference is THE SAME...and that's NETWORKING!!

Just this past week, a florist friend, ALSO on FC, mentioned that he disliked the crammed schedule on Sunday, of presentations, and workshops, and in his defense, and in many others, we've adapted to the little time that MOST FLORISTS have to offer, in their "absences" form their shops, and WE ALWAYS WANT ONE DAY for florists to meet, greet, network, and create friendships, and Saturdays are for that purpose!!
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No offense, Mikey, but I hate this rationale. I can't go to conference this year unfortunately, but the years I have gone, I've had the same issue at the end - travel times. To get the most out of the conference, we stay to the end and that means leaving well after 4 p.m. With Picton, we faced an 11 hour drive home, Toronto means an 8 1/2 hour drive. For most small town florists, flying isn't practical so you're looking at four days away from your shop. Why can't we do the main bulk of the workshops Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning and have the socializing at a separate time?

This is a serious concern for most small town and northern florists. Conference would help them so much but many we've talked to are afraid to leave their shop for such a long period and taking the staff out of the shop as well is just not possible.

Audra
 
I agree with Audra and that is something I have been trying to put across a few times and even on here on a post from last year conference.
I know that it will be hard to please everyone and I am wondering if another time should be considered.
How about Jan? March>? Do months are dead month at time with resorts and maybe we can have a good turn out.
How about the long weekend in Sept? or even AUG?
I think some serious thinking must be put into the new date for next year.
Only 83 shops this year, compare to a 125 last year?
Luc
 
Luc said:
How about Jan? March>? Do months are dead month at time with resorts and maybe we can have a good turn out.
How about the long weekend in Sept? or even AUG?
Luc
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'Maybes" don't work when it comes time to put down the money, and book the facilities!!.....long weekends are for family time, and resorts are priced way too high!!
So, you are saying that you WILL COMMIT to coming down from the north in January or March??.....REALLY?????
Look....there are REAL FLORISTS coming from Vancouver Island, from Texas, from New York, Quebec and from Pennsylvania as well...and THEY TOO are driving these distances in some cases!!
We'll miss you...too bad we couldn't send a limo for you too!!:porttopor
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
Look....there are REAL FLORISTS coming from Vancouver Island, from Texas, from New York, Quebec and from Pennsylvania as well...and THEY TOO are driving these distances in some cases!!
We'll miss you...too bad we couldn't send a limo for you too!!:porttopor
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Yes, I know, Mikey. Most of those people are flying in from major centers and they can get relatively cheap flights. It costs more to flying from the Sault to Toronto than it does for me to fly Toronto to Vancouver.

If we flew to conference, sure, we could do just two days but we'd be looking at a cost of $1000 per person. If we drive, it's a lot cheaper but we're out of the store for four days and when you've got a vast majority of florists who work by themselves or with one or two staff members. Yes, the major shops can do it but it's the little shops that would benefit from this.

Audra
 
Mikey the Flower Guy said:
meet me at Luc's...I'll come and fetch you guys.....
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You're missing the point, Mike.

It's not the drive that is daunting, it's the amount of time we end up having to spend away and it sounds like your mind is made up on that point.

Audra
 
For <edited by Infinite> sake Mikey, you got your panties in a knot?
You were saying to me this weekend that the membership to this year conference is lower. I am trying to give ideas and maybe some posibilities.
SAt are hard because florist have wedding, so they need sat afternoon to travel. Everything is jam packed into Sunday and lots of people have to travel after to get home. It is alright if you live in Toronto or Dundas, you are home in a decent amount of time.
You say long weekend are for families?
Why can't the conference be a weekend for family. Don't they have a kids program? Imagine a winter resort. Skiing, Fishing, etc. Most resorts are pools also for Kids to enjoy. It would give shop that have to travel a extra free day.
AS for travelling in January and March. We both do, (mann's and ourselves) travel for the gift show. WE travel in bad weather and in good. We travel in snow everyday to go to work and blizzards also. So don't give me that crap.
I am trying to help and I get pis*sed on....
Thanks Buddy
Luc
 
Advance tickets from Air Canada are $434 / person for such a weekend trip from the Sault to Toronto. The date and location of the OFC/CFC are announced a year head, so even if you wanted to book the tickets 3-4 months out you could be here for around $400 / head.

I can't find my reservation from my last flight to the Sault, but I know it couldn't have been much $$$ cuz it was on my own dime :) Hotel was on points, but the flight was cash.

Ryan
 
Infinite said:
Advance tickets from Air Canada are $434 / person for such a weekend trip from the Sault to Toronto. The date and location of the OFC/CFC are announced a year head, so even if you wanted to book the tickets 3-4 months out you could be here for around $400 / head.
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True, plus the cost of the conference, plus the cost of the room for the extra night. It was an example. As you well know, we normally go to the conference but many small shops here don't go and time/cost is the main reason.

Audra
 
Symptomatic of society as a whole

...it's not just about a conference Audra...it's life in general for small towns.

Access to higher education, shopping, health care, high speed internet, cell phone coverage, CONFERENCES...the list goes on & on.

As small towns keep getting smaller & cities larger, so too is the way of flower shops...

Just like a POS system, we feel the conference is an investment in our future.

...and yes, my wife & I are coming from Vancouver Island, paying for flights ($1200), 4 days in the hotel, and a rental car to visit relatives on the extra day.

With no more U.S. conference, this is the only chance to expand face-to-face our knowledge of the industry and network base of florists...AT A HIGHER COST than the Dallas or Vegas conferences in years past. But then again, it is a tax write-offl!

Would definitely reconsider though, if the conference was in the winter. Not sure what snow looks like and sold my toque collection when I moved from the prairies!
 
prestonway said:
Would definitely reconsider though, if the conference was in the winter. Not sure what snow looks like and sold my toque collection when I moved from the prairies!
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Blurr ... it IS winter ... at least in Red Deer :)

Woke up to 3" of snow on my car two days in a row, then frost & ice the next day. Not cool!!!! I didn't pack clothing for this!

Can't wait to get back to warm and lovely Toronto.

Ryan
 
While in Toronto....

Just happened to review the sporting events taking place this weekend. Sure there is the Leafs-Rangers game on Saturday night, but we have our dinner.

BUTTTTTT...

the professional sports team with the greatest fans in North America is in town on Friday night...


GO SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


...and only a five minute walk from the hotel.

YESSSSSSSSS...
 
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