Under the banner “Growing Growers,” the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers will gather for its 2014 National Conference Oct. 19-22 at the Hilton Christiana in Newark, DE.

“The focus of the group for over 25 years has been teaching people to grow flowers,” Frank Arnosky, president of ASCFG, told The Produce News. “It’s a grassroots organization and the growers themselves put a lot of energy into putting the conference together.”

It’s not too late to plan to attend the Society of American Florists 130th annual convention Aug. 13-16 at the Marco Island Marriott in Marco Island, FL.

The convention will feature 30 speakers, a supply chain refresher, and multiple educational and networking opportunities. SAF will also honor seven professionals with induction into the American Academy of Floriculture during the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner on Aug. 16, according to an news release.

AAF inductees for 2014 are:

Rochette (Rochie) Webb Allen from Rochette’s Florist in Farmville, VA.

Serving all segments of the Russian fresh cut flower, gardening and potted plant chain, the industrywide Expo Flora Russia show is planned for Aug. 27-29 in the All-Russian Exhibition Centre in Moscow.

More than 200 breeders, growers, shippers and suppliers to the floriculture trade from 17 different countries are already committed to exhibit, according to a news release.

The event will once again be paired with Flowers IPM-International Plants Expo Russia, and will include awards for best gardener and florist of the year, along with an international design school.

Kennicott Bros. Co., headquartered in Chicago, and Nordlie Inc., headquartered in Warren, MI, agreed to merge their companies as of July 31, according to a news release. As the merger is completed, eligible Nordlie employees will become members of the Kennicott ESOP, which will own 100 percent of the combined companies.

Consumers have emotions tied to their rose purchases. As florists, we must provide the customer with a top-quality product, along with a variety of designs and options, in order to satisfy those emotions.

Roses are a passion for millions of consumers around the world and they are a critical component of a wholesale florist’s daily business. Roses can represent 30-35 percent of the fresh flower sales in a wholesale house and are the top flower category every month of the year. Our customers use roses in all segments of their business — weddings, funerals, special events, weekly commercial business, and cash-and-carry — and they are all affected by the supply of roses.