The American Floral Endowment announced in a news release the appointments of new leaders at the Aug. 14 annual fundraising dinner:

• Chairman. Gabriel Becerra, president of Golden Flowers in Miami, FL, begins his role as chairman after eight years as a trustee. In his new role, Becerra will spearhead AFE’s efforts to advance the floral industry through research, scholarships and educational grants.

Thomas Butler, chairman of Teleflora, died Aug. 14 after battling cancer, according to a news release.

Butler joined American Floral Services, based in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1985 as executive vice president and then became the company’s president. In 2000, he led the merger of AFS and Teleflora, and then became its chairman.

It’s said that the first step in rallying a large group of people toward one single goal is to define a common ground.  

During the month of October, breast cancer awareness is the one common ground that is at the forefront of the industry’s promotional efforts. Beginning with the supply of products, through the promotional materials and on to our individual sales teams, there is not one other single promotion that touches the emotions of our customers as much as honoring a friend or family member who has battled breast cancer.        

Expect a bigger and better Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo Floral Pavilion Oct. 17-19 at California’s Anaheim Convention Center. Becky Roberts, director of volunteer relations and floral at PMA, told The Produce News that this year’s Floral Pavilion exceeds 13,500 square feet, with over 60 exhibiting companies, more than double the size of last year.

“Who doesn’t love sunflowers?” asked Alice Grazziani, director of floral at Gelson’s in Commerce, CA. “As a kid, I remember always drawing sunflowers with a big smiley face in the center. I personally associate a sunflower with a happy flower.”

Grazziani said that sunflowers can add texture to any floral arrangement and when sunflowers are mass-merchandised attractively they will welcome impulse sales throughout the day.

“Our sunflower displays and our sunflower sales speak volumes,” said Grazziani. “They are simply irresistible and, most of all, make people smile.”

It’s official — autumn is here, yet that is only a meteorological phenomenon. As the harvest moon wanes, and the leaves continue changing colors, millions enter into the addictive season of football. Watching the clash of gridiron titans is ubiquitous this time of year. From high schools to colleges to the NFL, competitive games are being played seemingly every day of the week to the delight of enthusiastic fans.