What kinda of Design Shows are you interested in?

What kind of Design Shows are YOU Interested in?

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weddings :) they come

I am president of Northwest Florida Florist Association 07 ,08 and secretary 04, and 05 ,and both positions I have been in charge of getting programs. And tried and TRUE every wedding, special events presentation THEY COME, usally double any other program. Last night Carl Clark AIFD,presented weddings and we doubled. 4 shops joined, yea! But he did a wonderful job. Took diff groupings, showed how to take simple design, stack, exstend,ext 4 diff looks. make garden roses from a standard, wthout it falling apart, all at diff price points. Yes, I have seen most all of it done and rememberd about the glue and water when he said it again,(hopefully I wont forget THIS time,for a diff look). But there was new faces and YOUNG NEW DESIGNERS, and lets face it there is always something new on the market that just looks like it will not FLY in the bag, see it used and its a new toy. AND there WAS a plenty a technic used that I can use in every day, carry over to holiday, easier delivery and more.BUT some had never seen MOST of it ever b4. And YES, most commantators will share this just open your ears and eyes.
put any design show together and you can usally take it to other design tables.
Congratulations on your position, AND KEEP THE DESIGN SHOWS COMING.
OH YEA< THANKS:headbang:
 
logan said:
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'.

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.
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Great post Franca!

I LOVE design programs!!! I can truthfully say that I have NEVER EVER been to even one that was a TOTAL waste of my time. I have been to programs that have not been my favorite, but have taken away things that I can use - or not use when I return home. Yes, even bad examples, can be turned around and used to your advantage...you will know what won't work (sometimes).

If you don't feel that the program gave what was promised, I believe that it is your obligation as an attendee of these programs to fill out your questionaires honestly. Then to take it one step further, as a Chairperson of the program, you must also fill out the ending questionaire with all honesty according to what you either witnessed or was expressed on the attendance questionaires.

I have been on the Teleflora Board for our unit for many years now. We always call to remind shops of upcoming programs. We hear over and over, that the owner is busy that day so they won't be going. So what!!! Send the others from the shop!!! Most often I hear, "I never heard about the program". Both a postcard and Dove message is sent out, yet whoever is getting these doesn't post them for all to see.

I feel...no I believe that attending ALL design and business programs offered to us and to our staff is not only desirable, but is VITAL to the success of our local business!!! One thing that I have personally noticed, is that when one owner is disgrunted over one or more programs, it may be taken back and discussed with employees. That gives the impression that these programs are not necessary and even frowned upon. My thoughts about that are much like parenting...you shouldn't discuss differences in front of the children.

We enjoy programs with topics that we can relate to. I guess that it's human nature to find fault with something we don't understand or don't relate to. I would be totally bored with a Tax Program, or for that matter, how to build a Website Program. But it doesn't mean that all of them have no value! We just look at them at a different stand point and perception. So to those of you that have issues with the Design Programs....Please allow us the freedom to take OUR employees as well as ourselves and enjoy them without having to justify every aspect of the program. It can be really overwhelming.

As I have learned from another source...Take what you want, then leave the rest....

And before someone beats me to the punch...
yes, opinions do vary - I guess
 
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But what if they're teaching the standards of a failing industry? :poke:
 
I am going to pose an unusual question to JB. - "teaching the standards of a failoing industry" -

Out of all the design-oriented programs you have seen over the years - Can you illustrate or describe where you have gotten information so erroneous that it could lead to the entire industry failing?

I think the failing of the industry is not what is being taught by the majority of the show and design professionals, but the outmoded and outdated business models being taught by the wire services.
 
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It was a tongue in cheek dig - it's a stolen quote from a big florist - maybe he would care to expound upon it.

I do think he has his reasons for believing this however.....
 
Tongue-in-cheek or not.......I firmly and sincereley believe that continuing education through both design and business seminars and shows is the best way for us as florists to not just survive, but to thrive in a changing world, a changing marketplace.

The day that I say that there is nothing I can learn from somebody else.....even if that is how to not do domething......that is the day that I will exit this industry.
 
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bloomz said:
I voted other for marketing but I know it won't happen...


I think marketing is a great idea for a show I know I could use a lot more knowledge in this area.Examples up selling a sale such as weddings or everyday, promoting the company, going after new accounts keeping old accounts happy....I think it is a great idea bloomz!
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I try to incorporate some marketing and sales tips in my design shows. This next show I am giving is primarily on marketing.......marketing what I see is an under-used, tangible, asset. That asset being the skills, talents, certifications, awards, accolades of your designers
 
I love learning about marketing. I like it as much as design and when they're mixed together... :bouncy:
That will be an awesome show RWK
 
RWK said:
I am going to pose an unusual question to JB. - "teaching the standards of a failing industry" -

Out of all the design-oriented programs you have seen over the years - Can you illustrate or describe where you have gotten information so erroneous that it could lead to the entire industry failing?

I think the failing of the industry is not what is being taught by the majority of the show and design professionals, but the outmoded and outdated business models being taught by the wire services.
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Could be because most design shows, at least in our area, are presented by wire services.

I do want to reiterate one point in the interest of making you as a good presenter a stellar one.

Please - Give us a name for the arrangement (brainstorm with your helpers - "let's call this the Magical Moments Bouquet") - a romanticised description and at least a rough price. This then makes it a design show with solid marketing lessons as well. When you pull those flowers from the wholesaler's coler, jot down the prices. I know it's a bit more work, but more work is what delineates good from excellent, and it's what makes the world of difference toward today's survival.

I'm fairly sure the large florist I got that "failing industry" line from was referring to the focus on extravagant design vs the whole package, and the example being those stock baloney answers I referred to earlier. Given that I've heard the average flower shop sales are around 80% telephone - showing it won't sell it. The lack of prices also could be really "you don't want to know" because they're out of reach or unrealistic.

And to this I have to say yes it is the huge majority of today's shows, 90% of them that are teaching those standards, or have the "failings" (my opinion only) that I've described.

Good luck with it - hopefully you will take this as constructive and from a different perspective as an owner outside the design realm but very involved in the selling realm.

You can make it all day long but if we can't sell it, what's it worth?
 
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Bloomz, you probably bring a few new insights that creative designers sometimes fail to see. I think your suggestions merit some thought from show presenters.

As I have said many times, in the floral industry, the perfect mix is to have a creative designer and a good business person together. Each sees different elements that can make the whole thing work.

Carol Bice
 
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Thank you Carol.

Yesterday we again had our conference call with Gaylon and it reminded me of this - his premise that this is why websites sell so much better than florists do.

They all have the above requirements PLUS a visual representation.

And they (websites) sell, boy howdy do they sell.
 
Trust me - I am taking notes galore from not only this discussion, but the ones about design shows previous as well. All these insights can't help BUT make me a better stage and show presenter.
 
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