Real Local Florists 2016 Annual Convention

The volunteer association Real Local Florists has put together an excellent lineup of content for their 2016 annual convention, including leading industry speakers like Rene Van Rems and Derek Myers. One of the very best sessions will surely be "Is Your DIY Business Ready for a Make-Over?" from Doug Fick of Broadway Floral in Portland Oregon.

The event takes place in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the Las Vegas World Market, between July 29 and August 31. 

Saturday, July 30

West Coast Florist Group (Private Meeting)
9:00 - 5:00 | Room C1126

Sunday, July 31

West Coast Florist Group (Private Meeting)
9:00 – 5:30 | Room C786

Open Registration for the 2016 Real Local Florists (RLF) Convention
9:00 – 5:30 | Room C786

Meet and Greet Cocktails
6:00 - 7:00 | Pavilion 1 Reception Area (all florists are welcome)

Monday, August 01

All Sessions in Room C786

Welcoming Address, Introduction of Speakers, Vendors, and Announcements
Dirk Lorenz | Director, and Secretary of RLF
9:00 - 9:15

Is Your Bottom Line Ready for a Make-Over?
Derrick Myers | CPA, CFP, Crockett Myers and Associates
9:15 - 10:15

Break
10:15 - 10:30

Is Your Product Ordering and Fulfillment System Ready for a Make-Over?
Mickey Weiss | President, Zoom-Bloom Inc.
10:30 - 11:00

Is Your International Floral Supply Logistics Ready for a Makeover?
Peter Bottemanne | President, Peter Alexanders Inc.
11:00 - 11:30

Are Certified California Grown Flowers Part of Your Supply Makeover?
Kasey Cronquist | California Cut Flower Commission
11:30 – 12:00

Lunch
12:00 - 1:00

Is Your Brand Ready for a Make-Over?
Dirk Lorenz, Mike Fiannaca, and Flora Lee Smart
1:00 – 1:30

Is Your Graphic Design Ready for a Make-Over?
Anne Marie McNew | President AMK Inc.
1:30 – 2:00

Break (travel to Pavillions Seminar Room, North end of Pavilion 1)
2:00 - 2:30

Is Your Merchandising Ready for a Make-Over?
Rene’ Van Rems, AIFD | International Floral Designer and Educator
2:30 - 3:30

Break (return to RLF meeting room)
3:30 - 4:00

Is Your Business “Shield” Ready for a Make-Over?
Ken Von Forell | Director of Independent Agents, Hortica Insurance and Employee Benefits
4:00 - 5:00

Market Time and Complimentary Cocktails, Courtesy of the Las Vegas World Market
5:00 – 6:00

Group Dinner (TBA)
7:00

Tuesday, August 02

Introduction of Speakers and Announcements
Dirk Lorenz | Director, Real Local Florists, Inc.
9:00 - 9:30

Is Your SEO Ready for a Make-Over?

Sundaram Natarajan | President, Got Flowers
9:30 - 10:30

Break
10:30 - 10:45

Is Your Pricing Strategy Ready for a Make-Over?
Mark Anderson | President, FloristWare
10:45 - 11:45

Lunch
11:45 - 12:45

Is Your DIY Business Ready for a Make-Over?
Doug Fick | Director and Treasurer, RLF
12:45 – 1:30

Break
1:30 - 2:00

The Business of Creativity – How to Make Money in Design
Rene’ Van Rems, AIFD | Building C, Surya Seminar Room C174
2:00 – 5:00

Please Note: Thus hands-on design workshop is being run in conjunction with the Las Vegas World Market. There is an additional cost of $195 per person for non-RLF members and $145 for active RLF members.

Open Discussion Regarding Issues In Traditional Retail Floristry
2:00 – 5:00

• Dealing with Deceptive Order Gatherers
• Alternatives to the wire services
• Differentiating ourselves from other floral vendors

Market Time and Complimentary Cocktails, Courtesy of the Las Vegas World Market
5:00 – 6:00

Group Dinner (TBA)
7:00

Wednesday, August 03

Announcements
Dirk Lorenz | Director, Real Local Florists, Inc.
9:00 - 9:15

Transition to the RLF Wild Apricot Membership Management Site
Doug Fick | Treasurer, RLF
9:15 - 9:30

Open Planning Session and Membership Q&A (RLF Members only)
9:30 - 10:30

Break
10:30 -10:45

Annual Members Meeting and Election of At-Large Directors (RLF Members only)
10:45 -12:00

FloristWare will be in attendance as an exhibitor. It is a great chance to meet with real florists and learn more about what they are going through so that we can better help them succeed.