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Registration is Now Open for 2025 Member Appreciation Meetings & Baseball Games!
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We’re excited to invite you to not one, but two special Member Appreciation Meetings this summer! Whether you join us in San Francisco (7/25), San Diego (8/1), or both, you’ll enjoy a day packed with celebration, connections, and inspiration – topped off with an unforgettable evening of baseball, food, and fun.
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Details Flowers Software Announces New Partnership with Floral Greens Farms of Florida
Details Flowers Software is excited to announce a new partnership with Floral Greens Farmers of Florida—a dedicated collective of foliage growers—united by a shared commitment to sustainability, community, and bringing Florida-grown greens to the forefront of floral design through the power of technology.
As a result of this partnership, florists and event professionals using the Details Flowers Software platform will gain expanded access to the lush, diverse greenery grown by Floral Greens Farmers of Florida. This includes beloved staples such as leatherleaf fern, aspidistra, monstera, pittosporum, and more specialty and seasonal offerings native to the region. Read more.
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"Life In Bloom" News Round Up
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Season 7 Continues Roll Out Nationwide
The NEW SEASON of J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom continues to premiere around the country. Each station is operated independently and schedules programs based on their market. Some stations may have just started new episodes, so check local listings for dates and times if you prefer to enjoy traditional TV.
Stream NEW Episodes Each Tuesday in the PBS App
Remember that “Life In Bloom” is available to stream for FREE with the PBS App. Download the FREE PBS App on your Smart Phone, Tablet, or Smart TV to stream the new season - and all previous seasons - on your schedule.
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June 9 - Honeycomb Blooms - This revolves around honey and honeycomb in literal and figurative ways. Included: a visit to Two Bee’s Protea Farm.
June 16 - Flower Ingenuity - This episode is based entirely at Kendall Farms – with Troy Conner as co-host, essentially – and showcases many of their fascinating processes for growing, harvesting, and distributing flowers. Read more.
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2025 Memorial Day Flowers Event Brings the Floral Industry Together
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Each year on Memorial Day, the floral industry unites in a powerful act of remembrance and gratitude through the coordination of the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation. The annual event, now in its 15th year, brings together hundreds of volunteers and floral professionals, as well as thousands of participants, to honor fallen service members with flowers.
CalFlowers is proud to serve as the largest sponsor of the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation. As a leading advocate for floral promotion in the U.S., CalFlowers recognizes the importance of using flowers to connect communities and express gratitude. Read more.
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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 Spring season here, we can look forward to better weather, however, winter-like 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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Many times 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.com and 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:
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.
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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
Seattle Wholesale Growers Market
Established in 2011, Seattle Wholesale Growers Market is a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to serving the Pacific Northwest and beyond through the cultivation of high-quality iconic PNW flowers and a resilient, ecologically-centered floral community. The market facilitates collaboration between farmers, florists, and floral enthusiasts to imagine and build systems and communities that thrive in reciprocity with the natural world.
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Floral
Florescent Field
Las Lomas, CA
Olivia's Floreria
Whittier, CA
R/A Growers, LLC
Valley Center, CA
Associate Grower
Grounded
Bay City, TX
Wing Ming Farm
Wallkill, NY
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Associate Floral
Infinity Roses
Clifton, NJ
Patflor Scarl Corp
Miami, FL
Poppy Flowers
Charlottesville, VA
Vosz Trading LLC
Wallingford, CT
Associate Service
International Fresh Produce Association
Newark, DE
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Texas Floral Expo - June 27-29
The Texas State Florists’ Association welcomes all floral industry professionals to League City, Texas, for the Texas Floral Expo on June 27-29. Just minutes from Houston, the conference will be held at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, with waterfront views, a spa and easy access to shopping and entertainment. Plus, there will be more quality floral education than ever before, with 13 premier presenters, 10 sessions included in Everything Expo registration and eight optional hands-on workshops from which to choose. New this year, two sessions will be presented in English and Spanish! Learn more and register.
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AIFD Symposium - Reflections 2025
Join us in Palm Springs as AIFD commemorates six decades of floral artistry, innovation, and community. The AIFD® Symposium 2025, happening July 12-15, promises an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration, education, and connection. From captivating main stage programs to immersive hands-on workshops, this celebration of our floral legacy is not to be missed. Learn more and register.
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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. Attendees receive exceptional educational programming where they learn practical skills to help them tackle timely business problems. Attendees also enjoy exceptional networking opportunities and interact with industry peers. Learn more and register.
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Service First Processing (SFP) and CalFlowers have developed a special “members only program” with exclusive benefits that are designed to reduce your cost of credit card processing while improving your level of service and support.
SFP provides tailored payment processing to meet the needs of florists and their suppliers. With industry-specific features and cost-saving benefits, SFP helps streamline transactions, enhance security, and support your business at every step. Let SFP make payment processing easy, efficient, and secure.
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