Assemble talented designers, give them flowers, foliage, supplies and a theme for inspiration. Now, make them race against the clock to create something beautiful. In the end, one winner will emerge with a trophy, cash and perhaps most importantly, a coveted title and all the bragging rights it entails. The 52nd Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition will play out live for attendees of SAF Orlando 2021, where 14 floral designers will compete for the cup and a grand prize of $3,000. Two other competitors will be named runners-up and be awarded plaques and money. The contest takes place Sept. 22

Millennials are the largest living generation, so it’s no wonder we’re all a little obsessed with marketing to them! But how do you tap into this enormous purchasing power—more than $200 billion annually? The trick is understanding what they care about and being able to offer it. Millennials are constantly on their digital devices and are always looking for engaging content. They’re open to receiving ads and sharing them, but 45% of millennials don’t find content marketing compelling enough to share it! Here are a few tips on reaching millennials with your marketing, engaging them, and getting

In addition to all the other goods that are hard to find these days — new cars, couches, even kitchen appliances — DC’s flower professionals say there’s a shortage of flowers that’s like nothing they’ve seen before. Currently, demand is at an all-time high as the industry navigates the boom of weddings that were rescheduled during the last 18 months. S ome vendors say they’ve crammed three times the normal number of weddings into this season alone. On top of that, everyday consumers have also increased their demand for flowers. “With the isolation and separation brought on by Covid,” says

The American Floral Endowment is accepting applications for two floriculture/horticulture internship programs: the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. Applications are due Oct. 1. AFE internships are the best way for students to gain hands-on experience that helps them toward their future careers. Since their inception, these programs have awarded $1.3 million in scholarships to deserving students in the industry. Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program provides the opportunity to

As we weather another season of economic unpredictability, nearly all industries are facing challenges in finding — and keeping — motivated, engaged employees. One approach to attracting and retaining talent is a corporate commitment to education and training, which is highly valued in an increasingly younger workforce. Almost 90 percent of workers under the age of 40 cite access to professional development critical to their decision to stay at a company. “Now is the time to think about the future,” said WF&FSA President Gabriel Becerra at June’s Floral Distribution Conference. If training and

The United States Department of Agriculture recently announced it is making changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) — and for growers, it’s a new opportunity to leverage the maximum amount of aid they could be eligible for. Last year, in a major win for the industry’s flower growers and the retailers, wholesalers and suppliers who depend on them, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made nursery crop and cut flower farms eligible for financial aid from CFAP. A direct result of a robust advocacy campaign led by the Society of American Florists and a coalition of other