What kinda of Design Shows are you interested in?
- Thread starter FlowerDiva
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lizzie ann
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virginia_Bob
New Member
I would love to see a good wedding show and a good everyday design show. You know stuff that will actually sell out of the box as opposed to the out there party designs that while nice and fun when you have an opportunity to do them aren't our bread and butter day in and day out.
Bob
Bob
Connie
New Member
First, congratulations and best wishes!
I love design shows and have always found in every show something useful that could be used in our shop. Sometimes I've had to re-read my notes several times to find that something. LOL
I love design shows and have always found in every show something useful that could be used in our shop. Sometimes I've had to re-read my notes several times to find that something. LOL
Although I chose Wedding/Special Event - Mainly because the type of show I would love to see as well as do is one where you combine the business opf flowers with design.
I do have in my repetoire of shows a great one that shows the progression of creativity using everyday designs.
Basically, it was inspired by the articles that Hitomi has done over the years where she takes a basic arrangement and then kicks the creativity up a few notches, then she takes it to the ultimate.
I do have in my repetoire of shows a great one that shows the progression of creativity using everyday designs.
Basically, it was inspired by the articles that Hitomi has done over the years where she takes a basic arrangement and then kicks the creativity up a few notches, then she takes it to the ultimate.
wildflowerschicago
New Member
I voted for everyday too. Not that I don't enjoy all the others as well, but I think an everyday show would help us more. Sometimes, I think we get the design equalivent of writers block...so it would be great to see some new designs that could retail for between $75~$150. Some meat & potatos with a twist!!
I voted other for marketing but I know it won't happen...
Second choice would be everyday, but ask as you might - any more they never stick to the format and you end up with the 4-6 foot tall look at me stuff.
That is, dare I say it, unless you're an event florist - useless.
How often have we sold a 4-6 tall arrangement? I could be wrong, but, the word never comes to mind.
My big beef yes. If I wanted to see party work I'd go to a party work show.
nuf said
I guess
No it ain't, why don't the board presidents ask HQ why the designers don't stick to the requested formats???
Second choice would be everyday, but ask as you might - any more they never stick to the format and you end up with the 4-6 foot tall look at me stuff.
That is, dare I say it, unless you're an event florist - useless.
How often have we sold a 4-6 tall arrangement? I could be wrong, but, the word never comes to mind.
My big beef yes. If I wanted to see party work I'd go to a party work show.
nuf said
I guess
No it ain't, why don't the board presidents ask HQ why the designers don't stick to the requested formats???
Bloomz, You can demand certain designers because they do what you want . Several of us know we have a job to do and will do what the audience wants. A few of the divas feel the need to show off their high end skills.
Let the people who put on the shows know your thoughts. There are really good presenters out there that do not have to show off their large event party skills.
The wholesale shows will quit using those divas if enough people complain. Other organizations that book shows will do the same if they get enough feedback.
My personal favorite show to present is: everyday design with a twist added to every design that will set you apart from your competition, but, is still sellable. I know several designers that can do this if you need names for the future. Send me an email if you are interested.
Having said this, I also like a touch of something that is out of the box that can inspire the artist in me. The reason I go to AIFD is to get my "artistic fix for the year". Don't take away all creative input from your designers....they do need a little stimulation.
Carol Bice
Let the people who put on the shows know your thoughts. There are really good presenters out there that do not have to show off their large event party skills.
The wholesale shows will quit using those divas if enough people complain. Other organizations that book shows will do the same if they get enough feedback.
My personal favorite show to present is: everyday design with a twist added to every design that will set you apart from your competition, but, is still sellable. I know several designers that can do this if you need names for the future. Send me an email if you are interested.
Having said this, I also like a touch of something that is out of the box that can inspire the artist in me. The reason I go to AIFD is to get my "artistic fix for the year". Don't take away all creative input from your designers....they do need a little stimulation.
Carol Bice
Thank you Carol - I do wish they knew, but even me, outspoken as I am, have trouble writing on those evaluation forms that a lot of the show I felt was a waste fo time.
It's like telling someone their baby is ugly.
Maybe I should email the Teleflora Ed department.
the show you're talking about there is exactly what 95% of us need, but so rarely get.
I'm gonna send you a PM.
There have been quite a few threads about design shows.....Being a show designer from time to time, I have noted and printed out all the commentary about design shows. Having been and stil doing some design shows, let me give you some information from our point of view.
First of all - We have no idea how many types of shops are going to be in attendance. Every shop is not a small scale Mom and Pop shop, Every shop is not a high-style artistic shop, Every shop is not a high volume shop, - This is why we wil have a variety of large scale, medium scale, and small scale designs.....in an effort to have something there for EVERYBODY in attendance to gain something from.
Additionally, We also hear the question "How much is that or How much do you sell that for?"
The product, flowers, vases, ribbons, etc. are donated for us or provided for us. We have no idea how much something wholesales for. We also have no idea how much your overhead is, your employees salaries, your rents, etc.
If I were to give you a price on a design - More than likely I would tell you a grossly wrong price.....It might be too high for your shop, or too low for your shop.
What we CAN tell you is how long it took to make the design, the materials in the design, the techniques used, even give you some pricing formulas...this is information that you can use to figure out for yourself how much something can sell for in your shop.
Our goal is to present a show in such a way that all the attendees can get something from the material presented that will help them to be a better, more profitable florist. It is impossible to customize a show for one shop only UNLESS that show is presented in that shop for just the personell in that shop.
Just a little info from our point of view.
First of all - We have no idea how many types of shops are going to be in attendance. Every shop is not a small scale Mom and Pop shop, Every shop is not a high-style artistic shop, Every shop is not a high volume shop, - This is why we wil have a variety of large scale, medium scale, and small scale designs.....in an effort to have something there for EVERYBODY in attendance to gain something from.
Additionally, We also hear the question "How much is that or How much do you sell that for?"
The product, flowers, vases, ribbons, etc. are donated for us or provided for us. We have no idea how much something wholesales for. We also have no idea how much your overhead is, your employees salaries, your rents, etc.
If I were to give you a price on a design - More than likely I would tell you a grossly wrong price.....It might be too high for your shop, or too low for your shop.
What we CAN tell you is how long it took to make the design, the materials in the design, the techniques used, even give you some pricing formulas...this is information that you can use to figure out for yourself how much something can sell for in your shop.
Our goal is to present a show in such a way that all the attendees can get something from the material presented that will help them to be a better, more profitable florist. It is impossible to customize a show for one shop only UNLESS that show is presented in that shop for just the personell in that shop.
Just a little info from our point of view.
Thank you for all that have replied so far & those who have shared their thoughts. I have been to a gazillion design shows (Wholesale House, Teleflora, FTD, AIFD, et.) I have been involved in putting together shows, been behind the scenes (not enough guts to present).
I guess that I'm am all done in with the shows geared toward weddings. I'm looking for ideas that are geared to all florists. Something that doen't isolate any shop or designer. a design show about marketing has crossed my mind, but I've got to sell the idea to those we hope to attend. I also think a "How much would you Charge?" would be interesting, but again, I gotta sell it to the potential audience.
Please share more!
I guess that I'm am all done in with the shows geared toward weddings. I'm looking for ideas that are geared to all florists. Something that doen't isolate any shop or designer. a design show about marketing has crossed my mind, but I've got to sell the idea to those we hope to attend. I also think a "How much would you Charge?" would be interesting, but again, I gotta sell it to the potential audience.
Please share more!
I sold 3 in faux last week Bloomerz. One was $600, One was $565, one was $525.
This is what I have to say, cause I always have to say somethin'......
What, I said WHATA, would a design show be without a few show stoppers???? I mean come on!!!
I loves me some show stoppers.
I want to see everything, I want to see christmas, I want to see weddings, I want to see everyday. I want to see new ways to dress up plants, I want to see faux. I want to see WORKSHOPS!!!!
YAY WORKSHOPS!!!!!!!!
Exactly...... selling it to the potential audience is not easy..... mainly because each shop has it's own ideas about what they need and want to see.
Hope this makes sense.
Rick - was a time when I thought is was a lame question for your above reasons.
Today I think it's possibly the most pertinent question we can ask.
I think the "teacher" has a need to know it and a need to present it. It isn't rocket science - it's just good business sense.
Second to that is - how do you sell it?
Stock answers to those 2 questions?
"As much as you can get." and "You have to show it to sell it".
Neither of those stock answers gives me any confidence that the presenter has the slightest clue about running or selling in a flower shop. Beyond that - they are both baloney answers that translate to "I haven't a clue".
I believe if I remember right - I've seen 2 show designers properly answer those questions with a knowledgeable answer.
J Schwanke and Cathy Hillen-Rulloda. (I remember Cathy took the time to find out local pricing and gave accurate numbers - J gives a range and a "this looks like" or a "you can sell it for" price, along with actual words you can use in your sales pitch)
Maybe they are rocket scientists...
Give it a name, give it a romanticized adjective laden description. and give it a price range, and you'll have me eating out of your hand.
If they can't - I'm afraid I would consider their show a waste of my time. I think it's their duty as a teacher.
Also - I can see a show ending with a big expensive show stopper, but not that being the meat and focus of them, like so many of them are.
We come to shows to see things we can sell every day in our shops, not once in 10 years. I do believe this is why most shops attend and what they are needing from education...
Just some info for you from our point of view.
blessings...
A quick "deep thought" to go along with that that just occured to me.
Maybe shows need 2 "presenters" (like I've seen at Symposium), a right brain and a left brain, so one can present and wow and the other can tell us what how much and how to sell it.
I know, I'm a dreamer.
I'll go out on my usual limb here and say it's every bit as important to know how to price it and sell it as it is to know how to make it.
Quite possibly more.
It's the chicken and egg deal.
Flowers Canada Toronto Chapter puts on a yearly series (I think..and hope..they still do this) of 6 design shows. They vary and range from everyday, funeral, wedding, holiday and usually one of them with some fab and inspiring european designer along with workshops etc. In such series there is something for everyone, from owner to designer and the shows are extremely popular. I do recall the wedding one always being full as well as the specialized/advanced and more artistic segments presented by the likes of Tor Gunderson et al. I always thought this was a fab way to present design shows.
IMO, the everyday shows( and that includes wedding, and also funeral, holiday) are most important and probably most relevant for the majority of shops and designers, and so I would vote firstly for the general show as that appeals to the masses.
Personally I don't care what is on offer, I love all design shows, there is always something to learn, always, even from most basic ones, and I will attend any that are on offer. In the end, the most basic ones may not stand out in my mind but in reality 'you learn something new everyday'.
Of course, I truly and most love the inspiring more artistic shows, especially with the likes of people like Gregor Lersch, Daniel Ost, Tor Gunderson, Tomas de Bruyne etc. but they are not everyone's cup of tea I understand but most designers will find them most memorable and influential.
Personally, they get my creative juices flowing, they inspire, which has an impact on everything I do from the arty stuff to the plain old hand-tied or most mundane ws arrangement in the shop.
I do wish more shop owners could go into these show with an open mind and look beyond the "I can't sell that in my shop" and try to translate it into "what can I learn from that design or how can I use in that in the shop" IMO, it often just takes a bit of out of the box thinking, it is not all about "grand designs"(I get rather bored with just grand designs without the substance myself) but it is technique, and new or alternate method, or a different way to use an everyday material or the sheer artistry and artistic vision of some designers that have a lasting and memorable impact for me.
On another note, I get quite annoyed when I hear of shops that just want to keep their designers in their place and will not even tell their staff of these design shows. I think it is truly sad, and no wonder designers become stuck in a rut, a mould and complacent. First job I ever had, my boss bought the Flowers Canada series ticket for me on a yearly basis, next day I would turn up at work full of ideas, new techniques and an extra bounce in my step, and of course grateful for the experience.
IMO, the everyday shows( and that includes wedding, and also funeral, holiday) are most important and probably most relevant for the majority of shops and designers, and so I would vote firstly for the general show as that appeals to the masses.
Personally I don't care what is on offer, I love all design shows, there is always something to learn, always, even from most basic ones, and I will attend any that are on offer. In the end, the most basic ones may not stand out in my mind but in reality 'you learn something new everyday'.
Of course, I truly and most love the inspiring more artistic shows, especially with the likes of people like Gregor Lersch, Daniel Ost, Tor Gunderson, Tomas de Bruyne etc. but they are not everyone's cup of tea I understand but most designers will find them most memorable and influential.
Personally, they get my creative juices flowing, they inspire, which has an impact on everything I do from the arty stuff to the plain old hand-tied or most mundane ws arrangement in the shop.
I do wish more shop owners could go into these show with an open mind and look beyond the "I can't sell that in my shop" and try to translate it into "what can I learn from that design or how can I use in that in the shop" IMO, it often just takes a bit of out of the box thinking, it is not all about "grand designs"(I get rather bored with just grand designs without the substance myself) but it is technique, and new or alternate method, or a different way to use an everyday material or the sheer artistry and artistic vision of some designers that have a lasting and memorable impact for me.
On another note, I get quite annoyed when I hear of shops that just want to keep their designers in their place and will not even tell their staff of these design shows. I think it is truly sad, and no wonder designers become stuck in a rut, a mould and complacent. First job I ever had, my boss bought the Flowers Canada series ticket for me on a yearly basis, next day I would turn up at work full of ideas, new techniques and an extra bounce in my step, and of course grateful for the experience.
Lastly, it is our job as the presenter to give you as accurate of information as we can.......If It is something that I do not know......I have no qualms about tell you so. I have seen presenters who would "ad-lib" and that erroneous information might be the one things that causes your business to go bust.
meat and potatoes with a twist. Everyday, wedding, funeral.
And show me the mechanics or tell me how you did it!
I would think a good presenter would ask about demographics before they plan their show.
I like seeing new products but also old products used creatively. I also hate it when a designer used a couple of these and a couple of that. How about using the whole bunch in a series of designs.
In a above post someone asked about pimping that bud vase. Now that would be a great challenge for a design program.
And show me the mechanics or tell me how you did it!
I would think a good presenter would ask about demographics before they plan their show.
I like seeing new products but also old products used creatively. I also hate it when a designer used a couple of these and a couple of that. How about using the whole bunch in a series of designs.
In a above post someone asked about pimping that bud vase. Now that would be a great challenge for a design program.
I'm going to bump this thread by asking a question.
Since Everyday design seems to be the most popular poll reponse.....What pertinent, relevant information would you want a presenter to share with you and why do you think the information could help your shop to grow bigger and better?
Reason for this is so I can buld a show theme around the very ideas, questions, themes, information that you all tell me you would like to see.
The show repetoire I have built already consists of four different show themes.
1) The Creative process - in which I take everyday shop standard arrangements and create a basic, intermediate, and advanced style arrangement.
2) Marketing your Designer's skills and talents - This one focuses on ways you can use to market your designer's skills, talents, and creativity to your customers and how to use that skill to build your unique brand.
3) 12 ways for 12 roses - 12 different ways to design a dozen roses. This usually makes a great pre-Valentine show.
4) How does your Garden Grow - Different styles, containers, methods, and combinations of plants and containers to create unique out-of-the-ordinary dish gardens - one particular design I do uses all ornamental grasses in a strawberry pot urn.
Your comments, suggestions, criteria, is what I'll use to build an everyday design show theme.
Number 1 - The Creative Process is by far my favorite of all the show themes I have built.
Since Everyday design seems to be the most popular poll reponse.....What pertinent, relevant information would you want a presenter to share with you and why do you think the information could help your shop to grow bigger and better?
Reason for this is so I can buld a show theme around the very ideas, questions, themes, information that you all tell me you would like to see.
The show repetoire I have built already consists of four different show themes.
1) The Creative process - in which I take everyday shop standard arrangements and create a basic, intermediate, and advanced style arrangement.
2) Marketing your Designer's skills and talents - This one focuses on ways you can use to market your designer's skills, talents, and creativity to your customers and how to use that skill to build your unique brand.
3) 12 ways for 12 roses - 12 different ways to design a dozen roses. This usually makes a great pre-Valentine show.
4) How does your Garden Grow - Different styles, containers, methods, and combinations of plants and containers to create unique out-of-the-ordinary dish gardens - one particular design I do uses all ornamental grasses in a strawberry pot urn.
Your comments, suggestions, criteria, is what I'll use to build an everyday design show theme.
Number 1 - The Creative Process is by far my favorite of all the show themes I have built.
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