SAF brings you the latest industry news that affects your business. SAF staff writers are out there chasing down the big stories for members. Expanded industry news stories – updated daily – can be found on the members-only section of www.safnow.org. If you're an SAF member, click here to view late-breaking industry headlines.

Last Updated June 19, 2006

Consultants Launch 'Team Floral'
Most florists aren't seeing 10 percent profits, when – with some industry input and financial analysis – they easily could, says Dan McManus, president of a newly formed consulting group and the editor of Teleflora's Flowers and Profits. That's one of the main reasons he formed the consulting group, Team Floral, www.teamfloral.com, about four months ago. Since then, 22 retail florists have hopped on board to gain insight from other high-grossing florists and members of the group's advisory board. SAF members: Get the full story at www.safnow.org.

FTD Makes Deal with 'Hip' Designer
FTD is hoping to appeal to a "hipper" crowd by partnering with Todd Oldham, a designer for Target and La-Z-Boy furniture and founder of Todd Oldham Studio, www.toddoldhamstudio.com. His floral designs are available to consumers on www.ftd.com. Most are priced from $42.99 to $69.99, according to Crain's Chicago Business newspaper. SAF members: Get the full story at www.safnow.org.

Senate: "Yea" to Comprehensive Immigration Reform
After months of debate, the Senate passed an immigration bill Thursday that addresses issues important to SAF members, including: border security, a temporary guest-worker program to provide a future labor flow and a path to legalization for the current trained workforce. SAF members: Get the full story at www.safnow.org.

ANLA, PLANET Nix Merger
The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA), www.anla.org, and the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), www.landcarenetwork.org, announced Friday they have canceled plans to merge into one organization. After careful consideration, the two organizations are putting the brakes on the merger, for now, because "it's in the best interests of the memberships of both organizations," according to PLANET President John Gibson. SAF members: Get the full story at www.safnow.org.

Industry Conference Explores Globalization
Since 1985, the value of cut flowers imported to the United States has skyrocketed from $221 million to $706 million in 2005, according to USDA. That's just one example of the increasingly global floral market, a topic that business experts, industry members and academics will tackle at the 21st Annual Seeley Conference at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., June 25 to 27. SAF members: Get the full story at www.safnow.org.

Save the Dates
SAF has listing of trade conventions and gift shows at www.safnow.org/shared/events.cfm. Don't see your big event on the calendar? Submit an entry by e-mailing info@safnow.org

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