Lane DeVries, president and chief executive officer of Sun Valley Group in Arcata, CA, was reelected chairman of the California Cut Flower Commission at a commission meeting Dec. 12. Mr. DeVries will serve a one-year term ending in December 2013, according to a commission news release.

Consumers in 2013 are seeking a return to life’s basics, to be in harmony with nature. Taking time to smell the roses may be more than just a cliché for 2013. Positive energy and “happy-nomics” are also part of the 2013 success matrix.

In the sustainability arena, consumers are quite savvy about repurposing and up-cycling. They are looking for similar and transparent corporate values that align with their green thinking.

Victoria sits in her green and red plaid flannel pajamas, pondering where to find classic “Ball” brand canning jars to use as floral containers. Suddenly, she receives a message on her tablet. The local market is offering a special on “Ball” jars, first manufactured in 1884. What year is this? It is 2013, where the mobile device revolution and all things vintage collide.

The 40-year anniversary of the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition is expected to draw more than 6,000 industry professionals to sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jan. 23-25, show officials told The Produce News. The 200,000-square-foot Broward County Convention Center exhibit hall will feature 400 companies and 800 booths showcasing lush tropical plants and foliage with palm trees soaring 28 feet to the exhibit hall ceiling.

Dan Waldschmidt, author of a leading sales blog, will speak at the show’s opening session (see schedule, page 72).

Yes! But it is already in the past. We experienced it in 2008-09. The floral industry has been on the road to fiscal responsibility for more than three years. We can and will not only survive in this environment, we will grow and prosper.

The Roman god Janus, for whom January is named, had two faces, one looking back, one looking forward. And that’s what we do in this January issue — look back and look ahead.

We feature reviews of the year and predictions for 2013 by guest columnists from key sectors of the floral industry, and from key floral associations. Our overview column is again by industry veteran Tom Lavagetto.