April 2026 Newsletter

President's Message

Hello, folks,

There are many exciting things happening at CalFlowers.

During the first three months of 2026 alone, 41 new members joined CalFlowers. We extend a warm welcome to each of you.

As a reminder, our membership renewal deadline is May 31, so please make sure to renew your membership in the coming weeks to continue to enjoy all the great benefits CalFlowers has to offer.

In addition to the improved 78.4% FedEx discount and the 250 DIM factor available through the CalFlowers program, members with annual FedEx spend of more than $50,000 will be eligible for an additional rebate from CalFlowers. This rebate will be calculated based on total annual FedEx spend in 2026 and paid at the end of February 2027. The rebate schedule is as follows:

CalFlowers FedEx Rebate Program

$1,000s in annual FedEx spend

• $900 and above — 6.0%
• $700 to $900 — 5.0%
• $500 to $700 — 4.0%

• $300 to $500 — 3.0%
• $100 to $300 — 2.0%
• $50 to $100 — 1.0%

If you would like to become more involved in CalFlowers, we invite you to put your name in the hat to serve on one of our committees by emailing us at info@cafg.org. Learn more about the many committees whose dedicated work helps strengthen and advance our organization.

Preparations for Fun ’N Sun are well underway, and this year’s event is shaping up to be an outstanding one. A strong speaker lineup is coming together, including a keynote presentation by professional speaker Brett Culp.

Registration details will be coming soon, so please watch for them and make plans to attend.

Thank you,

Lane DeVries

CalFlowers President

Join us for the CalFlowers Benefits Showcase on April 16th at 12pm PDT, an informative forum designed to connect current CalFlowers' members with the exclusive products, services, and discounts available through our trusted partners.

Floral News

80,000 Tulips. Gone in hours. What experiences like Tulip Day teach us about growing demand

New webinar series supports professional development and leadership for floral young professionals

Showcase your flowers on the AIFD Stage

"Life In Bloom" premier highlights in Season 8

IFPA Tariff Resources | SAF Tariff Resources

That Flower Feeling campaign reaches over 11 million impressions

Delaware Valley Floral Group acquires New England Wholesale Florist

New Bloom Media collaborates with GlobalForum to launch "The Business Side of Flowers" (happening today)

Tulips bloom year-round at California grower

Gardens America celebrates 50 years of incorporation

Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2026 Fun 'N Sun Convention are Now Open!

Join us August 5–8, 2026, at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, CA, as we celebrate A Legacy in Bloom—85 Years of Floral Excellence.

Position your brand at the center of this milestone event. To ensure your company name is featured in our full-color Fun ‘N Sun brochure, please finalize your sponsorship by Friday, April 24, 2026. This is a premier opportunity to showcase your business to our entire community.

Fun ‘N Sun brings together floral professionals from across the country for an unforgettable experience filled with meaningful networking, inspiring education, and our signature Flower Fair.

Sponsorship is one of the most impactful ways to elevate your visibility, connect with key decision-makers, and highlight your brand. With opportunities starting at just $250, there’s something to fit every budget and goal.

Connect, Exhibit & Tee Up at Fun 'N Sun 2026

Now is the time to secure your spot at the 2026 Fun ‘N Sun Floral Convention with our Flower Fair exhibits and Golf Tournament!

The Flower Fair is the heart of the event—bringing together growers, suppliers, and service partners to showcase the latest products and innovations. With booth and tabletop registration now open, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect directly with buyers and industry leaders.

Kick things off at the Golf Tournament on Wednesday, August 5 at Brookside Golf Course, located right next to the iconic Rose Bowl—an ideal setting to network, relax, and build valuable connections before the convention begins.

Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly.

Transportation Updates

FedEx Updates: 

With the Mother’s Day shipping season here, we need to remind members to contact FedEx prior to Mother’s Day if shipping volumes are over and above their normal. You can do this by contacting your Account Executive, driver, or even local terminal. This helps them plan and reduces capacity problems. More information can be found in the Mother’s Day Transportation Update (contact chris@cafgs.org if you did not receive it).

Spring season is upon us and we can look forward to better weather however, winter-like disturbances are still with us. It’s an essential practice to check for any service delays or alerts before you ship- see here. Knowing to what to expect before you ship can limit unexpected delays and headaches. 

As a follow-up to Chris' communications regarding Pick-up fees, that information is still the best information we have to this date. If you have a regular scheduled daily pick-up with FedEx, you will see a fee close to $34.00. To get around this fee we suggest using FedEx On-Call to schedule a pick-up when needed. You can do this online, or by phone. By using this method, you should not see a fee applied to your invoice. If you do see a pick-up fee, please email Chris at chris@cafgs.org. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

See HERE for a summary from FedEx that sheds some light on some of these fees you may be seeing. It’s a good reference.  

Also, there have been reports that FedEx has “accurized” their automated scanning machines that dimensionalize boxes sent through the system. This has been confirmed. These machines with sophisticated lasers are now even more accurate than before thus showing boxes larger than what was previously listed. In other words, your box is probably going to show LARGER than expected. For example, a 20 x 8 x 6, may now show as 21 x 9 x 7. This will result in price changes if your box is sensitive to size in terms of pricing. There are other fees that you may see on your statement and the above link can help make sense of it. CalFlowers is currently negotiating some of these fees and we should have news soon on how we did.

For those of you that haven’t heard, FedEx is spinning off its Freight (pallet) business. Most FedEx Freight accounts are stand-alone agreements, but we have ours built into our overall contract. Members still have Freight rates at 89% discount. How does this change affect CalFlowers? No changes as of today but more information will be coming next year. Read HERE for more details. 

With the winter season here, it’s an essential practice to check for any service delays or alerts before you ship, and the best resource for that information can be found HERE. Knowing what to expect before you ship can limit any unexpected delays and headaches.

FedEx International Shipping:

See here for an excellent resource from FedEx that walks shippers through the process step by step. First time international shippers inherently have questions on the process and paperwork required. If you'd like to talk to someone in person whether on the phone or at FedEx office, assistance available when needed.

Additional Reminders:

Although FedEx First Overnight is available to any FedEx customer, it is HIGHLY recommended that you do not select this service unless it is absolutely necessary and you fully understand the pricing. FedEx First Overnight (8am) is a remarkable service but please understand FedEx does not discount this option. Rates are VERY expensive and cannot be re-rated once shipped.

Surcharges & Claims Resources: 

For those members looking for general information on Surcharges and Claims, the following resources can be helpful.

This first resource offers information regarding surcharges and fees. Keep in mind that the CalFlowers program offers members MANY surcharge and fee reductions that are significantly lower than these standard surcharges, however it’s still a good reference point and has some clear definitions on what each fee/surcharge is. If you would like a summary of your program surcharge/fee discounts and waivers, please check our website or email Chris Johnson for a copy.

The second resource is very helpful when you need to file a claim for damaged or lost product. Keep in mind, a product claim is different from our Money Back Guarantee, which applies to shipping charges and is handled differently. Product claims are more involved and can be confusing, but this resource helps navigate the process. 

FedEx New Member Resources: 

New members who are just starting with FedEx shipping can utilize the “Customer Training” service that is available upon request. This service offers shippers direct one-on-one assistance from FedEx covering many of the questions new shippers may have. If you are interested in signing up, please contact Chris Johnson. Visit this webpage for excellent information for new shippers and a summary of FedEx's offerings. 

We would like to remind members to stay current with their FedEx Express shipping invoices. FedEx payment terms are 15 days. All members shipping on FedEx Express are expected to stay within the FedEx payment terms. Failure to stay current with FedEx risks your account being delinked from the program. For more information on this issue, contact Chris Johnson, Dir of Transportation. To obtain your invoice details and payment options, please contact FedEx Customer Service.

GLS Updates:

Please note: GLS pricing for 2026 is in effect. We are pleased to report rates will only increase on average by 3.5% as compared to the GLS scheduled 5.9%. New updated program info and rates are available on our website.

GLS added automated sortation systems to hubs in California, Las Vegas! See here for more for more info on GLS’s new automated sort.

The CalFlowers GLS program is one of our popular, most value-priced offerings, with discounts well over 70% off standard rates. GLS offers later pick-ups and earlier deliveries while providing express door-to-door services covering CA, AZ, NV, OR, WA, NM, UT, and ID. Members who want to ship on GLS must sign up in advance. It’s easy and just takes a few minutes. Please contact Chris Johnson for more details at (760) 533-5580 or chris@cafgs.org.

Check out the GLS interactive Time-in-Transit map. Plug in your ZIP code and a handy map will show you your 1-day, 2-day transportation options. 

GLS Program Improvements: 

GLS has been very receptive to our requests for program improvements. They have added the following features to our program for members to utilize when shipping Priority.

Alaska Air Cargo Updates:

If you've been using our CalFlowers/Alaska Airlines shipping program, you’ve likely experienced its exceptional value. This program provides outstanding rates to numerous regions nationwide, including shipments from California, Portland, Seattle, and Alaska and now Hawaii! 

For 2026, we are pleased to announce the renewal of our Alaska Air Cargo agreement, featuring newly negotiated, highly competitive pricing that delivers exceptional value to our members. Rates have been reduced across the board, and the program now includes expanded service to Hawaii.

Look for more information coming in the next few days and be sure to explore all of the new program details on our website.

Did you know Alaska Airlines provides one of the most comprehensive intra-California services, with San Diego serving as its largest hub in the state? Even better, through our exclusive partnership with Alaska Airlines, we offer truly exceptional rates that you won’t find anywhere else. Click HERE for the latest Alaska Air Cargo Zone Map.

Industry Events

See a full calendar of floral industry events

Summer doesn’t have to be your slow season. Join That Flower Feeling on May 21 at 9:30am PDT for their Mid-Year State of the Union webinar, “Beyond the Bouquet: A 30-Day Social Sprint to Stop the Summer Slump,” and leave with a clear, data-backed plan to keep flowers top-of-mind all season long. Register now.

Happening in Fort Lauderdale, FL on May 27-29, Floriexpo is the largest B2B floral show in North America, uniquely designed to serve the needs of the mass-market floral industry. Register now.

Automation & Financial Efficiency for Floral Businesses Webinar

Bloom With the Texas State Florists’ Association at the Texas Floral Expo

Member Spotlight

Keepsake Floral

More than preserved flowers … Keepsake Floral spent 32 years perfecting the art of preserving wedding and funeral flowers, practically inventing the floral preservation industry in the early 90's, and then elevating the industry through the company's extremely high standards for innovation, quality, craftsmanship, unmatched keepsake variety and true artistic beauty.

Keepsake Floral works with florists nationwide to help florists provide wedding and funeral flower preservation to their clients through partnership programs designed for ease and increased event revenues. Keepsake Floral preserves brides' actual wedding bouquets, (as well as flowers from memorial and funeral services), transforming fresh blooms into stunning, lasting keepsakes that can be treasured for a lifetime.

Welcome New Members

Read the full update about our new member types

We wrapped up our annual Membership Drive (Jan-Mar 2026). During the Drive we welcomed 41 new members which means more connection, advocacy, promotion, support and knowledge sharing across and within the industry. The more we come together, the more we are able to accomplish.

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