Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs Prompt SAF/Hortica to Create First Industry-wide Plan
As employers deal with increasing health insurance premium costs — 6.1 percent, twice the rate of inflation in 2007 — it's no surprise that fewer employers are offering health insurance to employees — 30,000 fewer in 2005, compared to 2001, according to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In response to this growing need, SAF and its longtime partner, Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits, have created the first Health Insurance Association plan available to all segments of the floral industry, exclusively to SAF members.
The runners at the Olympic track and field finals in Eugene, Ore., aren't the only ones thinking and moving fast on their feet. The team at Dandelions Flowers & Gifts has been in full sprint since they were tapped to provide victory bouquets just three days before the first starter gun fired on Friday, June 27.
U.S. and Kenyan officials have come to an agreement that could bring more African flowers into the states, but some industry officials say they don't expect an immediate effect on the market.
The number of retail florist establishments continued to contract in 2006 according to just-released data from the U.S. Census Bureau's County Business Patterns.
SAF recently responded to Country Living magazine's Web site, on which a slideshow and related copy urged readers to skip the flower shop and do it themselves. In "Forgo the Florist: Artful arrangements in under an hour" the slideshow encourages consumers to make their own floral arrangements and offers suggestions on how to do so without the guidance of a florist.
If you're planning to do a design demonstration in your town but are terrified of public speaking, Sharon McGukin has a tip for you: Before you take on your first demo, research your audience in advance before you step on stage and meet and greet as many people as possible. McGukin's program, "Keys to Communication" is one of four events SAF is bringing to AIFD's annual Symposium in Chicago, July 3-7.
Who doesn't want their business healthy and competitive in today's economy? Learn how to get and keep it that way at floral industry financial expert Paul Goodman's session "Thriving in Today's Economy, Part 1: Survival Tool Kit" on Friday morning during SAF Palm Beach 2008.
Access to a pre-wedding consultation form and the search for the perfect delivery vehicle were just some of the topics buzzing on the discussion boards this week.
Lowest prices ever for SAF's highly effective marketing materials. Members who use them get results and now you can, too, while saving 30 to 50 percent on four select designs!
