AmericanHort announced that it would host a tour this fall of growing facilities in the Minneapolis region, according to a news release. The Field & Covered Production Tour, Sept. 15-16, will combine classroom education and tours of nursery operations. Tour stops include Bailey Nurseries, Bachman’s Nursery Wholesale Center, Gertens Greenhouses & Garden Center and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

In early June I took a trip to Holland with six other California growers to attend the Dutch Lily Days. It was a great trip for me to see what is new in lilies and gerbera daisies and tour some of the most technologically modern greenhouses in the world. I reflected a lot on the difference between Dutch and California cut flower growing. I believe the one thing we have in common is a desire to be profitable. After that, there is a big difference in how we each go about achieving this goal.

Celebrating its 50th year, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council invites you to “get to work on your business goals” at the 2015 Southern California Expo July 14 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. Hundreds of exhibitors will showcase the newest innovations and the latest consumer trends at one of the larger floral shows on the West Coast, according to a news release.

Bloomaker USA held a gala May 15 in its newly constructed greenhouse facility in Waynesboro, VA, in celebration of its expansion project completion, according to a news release. Several state and local dignitaries including U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-6), Carolyn Bragg, vice chair of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, and Virginia state Delegate Richard Bell conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and offered speeches to open the evening’s events, which included dinner and dancing.

The Merchandising Awards of Excellence, sponsored by Borgen Systems and Super Floral magazine, were presented June 8 at the 2015 International Floriculture Expo in Chicago. Since 1998, supermarket floral departments from around the nation have entered yearly photos of their displays, which are judged by a panel from Super Floral. There are four honor award recipients in the categories of Best Color Harmony, Best Signage, Best Cross Merchandising and Best Theme Development.

Whenever a group of floral industry professionals gather together there is always a lot of energy, and on June 8-10 when over 1,300 attended the International Floriculture Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago, the creative energy and enthusiasm were palpable. Hundreds of companies like 1-800-Flowers, Ahold, Albertson’s, Associated Wholesale Grocers, FTD, Publix, ProFlowers, Wegmans and Target attended the event to see the latest product innovations, network with existing vendors, meet new suppliers and participate in the education program.