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You're Invited! 2025 CalFlowers Member Appreciation Meetings - San Francisco & San Diego
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It’s time to celebrate YOU—our incredible CalFlowers members! Join us this summer at two unforgettable events designed to inspire, inform, and connect. We’re bringing together floral professionals, industry leaders, and special guests for a full day of appreciation, networking, and fun in San Francisco and San Diego.
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Friday, July 25, 2025
The New San Francisco Flower Market
Experience the vibrant energy of the floral industry at the completely rebuilt San Francisco Flower Market! Start your morning with an optional guided market visit (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.), followed by registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m., then enjoy exciting presentations, roundtable conversations, and a hosted cocktail reception.
Featured Speakers:
Jeanne Taggart Boes, CalFlowers President
Lane DeVries, Executive Director
Special Guest: J Schwanke, Host of Life In Bloom
Baseball tickets for the San Francisco Giants vs. Mets game are SOLD OUT, but you can still register for the Member Appreciation Meeting—we’d love to have you join us for the day’s festivities!
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Friday, August 1, 2025
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Celebrate the season SoCal-style with waterfront views, great conversation, and fresh floral energy. This exciting day includes lunch, leadership updates, roundtable sessions, and a cocktail reception—plus another special appearance by J Schwanke!
Padres Baseball Night
We’ll wrap up the day at Petco Park to watch the San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals at 6:40 p.m. Each registration includes up to three complimentary game tickets—but tickets are limited, so register now to secure yours!
Hotel Info: (Room Block Deadline is Thursday, July 10!)
- Hilton San Diego Bayfront
- Group Rate: $259/night (plus tax)
- Book by July 10 to get the group rate
- Parking: Self $45 / Valet $75
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Let’s come together to celebrate all things flowers—and YOU. Whether in the heart of San Francisco or along the stunning San Diego waterfront, these events are the perfect blend of appreciation, education, and fun. We can't wait to see you there!
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Memorial Tribute Established Honoring Francis "Frank" Biddle
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A memorial tribute has been created through the American Floral Endowment (AFE) honoring Francis “Frank” Biddle, who passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, at the age of 60. The tribute was established by Frank’s industry friends Steve Dionne of Wafex USA, Chris Drummond of Penny’s by Plaza Flowers, Greg Coleman of Mayfield Florist, and Ken Young of Phoenix Flower Shops in recognition of his leadership, innovation, and lifelong dedication to the floral industry.
Frank was a bold and visionary entrepreneur whose influence helped reshape floral commerce across the Americas. After earning a degree in International Studies from Juniata College and relocating to southern California, Frank discovered the floral industry and never looked back. His passion for people, flowers, and the natural world converged when he co-founded Dos Gringos, a company rooted in sourcing florals from Mexico. In 1993, he founded Francis Biddle International (FBI Flowers) – a business that grew to encompass over 170 acres of fresh-cut greens, florals, and avocados in the hills of San Diego County. Read more.
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"Life In Bloom" Create TV Marathon and MORE
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Create TV has again scheduled a WEEKEND MARATHON of J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom episodes ahead of Season 7’s premiere on the network. “Create TV invited me to select 10 episodes for a marathon program block. The theme is ‘Focus on Flowers’ and each show revolves around one type of flower!” Tulips, Lilies, Hydrangea, Stock, Gladiolus, Calla Lily, and Roses are among the flowers in the spotlight.
Watch the 5 hour blocks on Create TV public television stations, Friday, July 18, from 9:00 pm - 2:00 am, or Saturday July 19, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, or on Sunday, July 20 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. Create TV will also show the episodes in PRIME TIME (9:00 pm - 10:00 pm) and late night (2:00 am - 3:00 am) Monday, July 21 - Thursday, July 24! SO many chances to watch flowers on nationwide television! All times Eastern - visit www.createtv.com for complete schedule information.
Read more.
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Two New Guides Added to Sustainabloom's Lineup of Resources
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Two new guides have been added to the growing list of resources provided by Sustainabloom to simplify the area of floriculture sustainability and support industry members in reaching their goals with actionable resources and education.
The new Cold Chain Management and H-2A and H-2B Work Visa guides will join an extensive lineup of industry guides previously published through Sustainabloom’s website, which was launched in April 2024 by the American Floral Endowment (AFE).
Using data-driven information, strategy suggestions, and expert advice, the information is presented in an easy-to-follow format to help industry members at every level of the supply chain gain a better understanding of the material and explore options in their sustainability journeys.
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The Power of Flowers with Joost Bongaerts
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Joost Bongaerts was interviewed during Details University Live where he shared insights from his journey with Florabundance, his involvement in the new Netflix show With Love, Meghan, and his work with That Flower Feeling. Joost brought a wealth of knowledge and inspiration that will spark fresh ideas and deepen your passion for our industry. See here for a full recap and recording.
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Do you have floral news you want to share with the CalFlowers community?
Please contact us.
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FedEx Updates & Service Disruptions:
With the Summer season here, we can look forward to better weather, however, disturbances are still with us. It's an essential practice to check for service delays or alerts before shipping. Knowing to what to expect before you ship can limit any unexpected delays and headaches.
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Did you know that members have access to FedEx Freight (pallets) rates? Our offering boasts an 89% discount for LTL Domestic Priority and LTL Domestic Economy, plus a number of surcharge discounts adding extra value to these exceptional rates. Since FedEx Freight is a separate division of FedEx, members will need to contact Chris Johnson to be linked, but the process is simple. If highly discounted Door to Door pallet rates interest you, we can help.
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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.
Did you know that our Priority Overnight rates (10:30am delivery), typically are only a few dollars more than Standard Overnight? The Standard Overnight delivery commitment is around 5 hours later (3:30pm), which can make a difference with many varieties in terms of arrival condition. Take a look - you will be surprised how close these rates are.
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Your shipping platform may not allow you to book a shipment to arrive on Saturday. To get around this, shippers need to go to FedEx.comand book it manually. This will allow Saturday delivery zones and times to show up.
You can have your shipments held at your nearby FedEx Office instead of being delivered to your door. Having shipments held at your local FedEx office can help with temperature management since your boxes will be stored in a temperature-controlled office rather than riding in a truck all morning. It’s also true that you can drop off your shipments at your local FedEx office. This can be an advantage for some parts of the country where having your packages standing by in a FedEx office is preferable to being in a truck for hours.
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For those wanting to know who your FedEx representative is, or if you want to be contacted by FedEx, please email Chris Johnson with your FedEx account number and he will respond with your FedEx contact. It’s a good practice to establish a relationship with your FedEx representative. They can be of great assistance when needed.
Find the latest news from FedEx here.
Call (877) 339-2774 for FedEx’s tech support team, who can help with many tech-related issues including guidance regarding on-line shipping platforms.
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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.
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We would also 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, Director of Transportation. To obtain your invoice details and payment options, please contact FedEx Customer Service.
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GLS Updates & Transit Map:
In case you missed it, We’ve introduced NEW GLS Ground rates exclusively for our members. This service covers the entire domestic U.S. and is ideal for non-perishable items, though perishable goods can also be shipped. Our rates are highly discounted and available to all shipping members.
For complete pricing and additional details, please email Chris Johnson.
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.
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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.
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GLS will now honor product claims. If GLS is at fault (acts of God, not included) and the product arrives damaged, significantly late, or just missing, members now can file a claim. We highly recommend member shippers to indicate the correct Declared Value to be covered.
GLS will credit 100% of shipping costs if your shipment is not delivered on the day promised. Bad weather is excluded. Members will need to request this within 48 hours at customerservice@gls-us.com.
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GLS has given our account access to a special premium team of Customer Service agents. This high-level group was designed for fast response and problem solving. Please contact Chris Johnson for access to this important resource.
GLS has a new website. Additionally, try this handy Delivery Rates & Times Calculator to view delivery dates and estimated time of arrival.
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Alaska Air Cargo Program:
As you may know, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are merging. Due to this merger, Alaska has asked us to pause adding new shippers to our program while they combine operational systems. This pause is temporary, and we will notify members when we get the “go ahead” to add shippers to this signature program.
Alaska has also been keeping shippers up to date on the progress of the merger. Click HERE for the latest in booking and information.
If you've been using our new 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.
For 2025, we have renewed our contract with Alaska Cargo and are pleased to announce no change in pricing! Look for more information coming soon and be sure to explore all 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.
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For the latest News & Updates please visit the Alaska Airlines webpage.
For the latest in Alaska Cargo News see here.
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Alaska Air commonly asked questions.
For questions about our Alaska Air Cargo program, please contact Chris Johnson, 760-533-5580.
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Air Canada Cargo Program:
In case you missed it, we now have Air Canada rates available to our membership! They can be viewed on our website. These are the standard Floral Rates from Air Canada, and they offer good value. However, we are currently working with Air Canada with the goal of securing exclusive rates for CalFlower members. More information to follow.
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Member Spotlight
Farmer Bailey & Garden Club
When Bailey Hale first started growing cut flowers on his Vermont farm, he was frustrated. He kept seeing incredible Lisianthus varieties in photos from Japan and Europe—richly-toned Rosanne, elegant Celeb, and ruffled Voyage—but none of it was available to him as a U.S. grower. American flower farmers were simply not on the radar of these elite flower breeders, who were already selling their seeds by the millions to much larger businesses around the world. So, like any resourceful farmer, he decided to fix the problem himself.
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The Countdown Begins: AIFD "Reflection" Symposium in Palm Springs
Mark your calendars—it's almost time! The 2025 AIFD Symposium, Reflection, is just around the corner, happening July 12–15 in sunny Palm Springs. There is still time to join us for this amazing experience.
This highly anticipated gathering is a celebration of artistry, innovation, and connection within the floral industry. Designers from around the world will unite to reflect on their journeys, share their talents, and inspire one another through breathtaking stage programs, hands-on workshops, and unforgettable experience. For more information visit Aifd.org.
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Grow Pro Webinar Series
Join the American Floral Endowment (AFE) each month as their nationally recognized researchers, hosts, and speakers offer ‘how-to’ advice based on AFE-funded and other research projects to help the industry navigate through these ever-changing growing challenges. The webinar topics are current and offer opportunities for growers to focus on increased profit, greater sustainability, and improved labor efficiency.
SEE THE FULL CALENDAR AND REGISTER AHEAD...
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WF&FSA - DevX 2025
With a number of unique opportunities to experience education your way, WFFSA’s Development Experience (DevX), formerly Management Institute, is a new and better way to describe WFFSA’s premier hands-on educational experience for members, July 23-25. Learn more and register.
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SAF Phoenix 2025 - 140th Annual Convention
Join 400+ floral professionals from across the industry at SAF Phoenix 2025, August 11–14 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ! SAF’s premiere in-person event features 20+ expert-led education sessions, networking receptions, and hands-on experiences designed to give you the tools and insights to stay ahead of trends, build resilience, and sustain growth in today’s evolving market. Learn more and register.
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Save The Date for CALIFLORA 2025
November 7 - 9, 2025 | CAL EXPO/SACRAMENTO
Join us for:
- CCF Testing
- Hands-On Design Workshops
- Brilliant Design Shows
- Student & Top Ten Design Competitions
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CalFlowers partners with Signature Graphics, giving members an opportunity to turn their fleet vehicles into eye-catching branding tools. From concept and design to production and nationwide installation, Signature Graphics offers end-to-end solutions to boost your brand’s visibility on the road.
CalFlowers members receive an exclusive 5% discount on all Signature Graphics services. Take advantage of this marketing opportunity for an extra competitive edge!
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