CAPITOLA, Calif. — As part of its mission to get flowers from the field to consumers, the California Association of Flower Growers and Shippers, or CalFlowers, will host its bi-annual Fun ‘N Sun convention July 29 – August 1 in Monterey, Calif.
The event, attended by California and regional growers, transportation and service providers, florists and designers, offers educational sessions and the California Flower Fair, which will feature thousands of different kinds of locally grown flowers and greens – the largest such collection under one roof.
Leading designers from across the United States will showcase design trends and ideas, including:
- Derrick Vasquez, AIFD
- Carol Caggiano, AIFD, PFCI
- Susan Ayala, AIFD, CFD, PFCI
- Lynn Moss, AIFD, PFCI, AAF
- Lori Novak, AIFD
- Eddie Payne, AIFD
- Tom Simmons, AIFD, CFD, CCF
- Michael Quesada, AIFD, CFD
Educational sessions include a panel on family business succession and ownership transition issues, led by Kurt Glassman. J Schwanke, uBloom, will present emerging trends, colors and designs for flowers. Brad Denham, Arizona Family Florist, will address marketing options and campaigns to increase flower consumption, while Joaquin De la Torre and Lourdes Reyes, Ball Seed, will introduce attendees to new flower types and varieties, and Robin Van der Schaaf of Flamingo Holland will present on lily breeding and lily bulb production. Kasey Cronquist of the California Cut Flower Commission will discuss the Certified American Grown program.
Attendees also will enjoy tours of five area flower farms: California Pajarosa, CallaCo, CamFlor, Green Valley Floral and Kitayama Brothers.
For more information, go to http://www.cafgs.org/fun-n-sun-2015.
California-based growers currently provide 80 percent of the U.S. cut flower production and produce a number of potted plant products, including succulents.
CalFlowers’ mission is to strengthen member businesses through logistics, education and promotion to grow the use and enjoyment of cut flowers. More info on the association and its services and membership is at http://cafgs.org. Follow us on Instagram @CalifFlowers.
Source: California Association of Flower Growers and Shippers
