The 2014 convention of the Society of American Florists Aug. 13-16 at the Marriott Marco Island Resort in Marco Island, FL, will offer more than 25 interactive programs designed to “train brains,” a 1970s-style showcase for premier products, a Sylvia Cup floral design competition, 30 distinguished speakers, awards for industry leaders and outstanding new varieties of flowers, and a golf tournament, according to a press release.

The Michigan Floral Foundation honored G. Keith Crittenden with induction into its Hall of Fame at an awards dinner May 29 in Grand Rapids, MI, according to an association news release.

Crittenden was born in 1934 in Kalamazoo, MI, and graduated from Michigan State in 1956 with a degree in floriculture. His 40-year career included working as a designer, a wholesaler, an independent sales representative and owning his own floral company. He served as regional director on the Michigan Floral Association board and also as president of the Michigan unit of Teleflora.

The American Institute of Floral Designers will meet in Chicago July 3-7 for its annual national symposium, Transition Transformation.

“We expect a little under 1,000 attendees,” Tom Shaner, executive director of AIFD in Baltimore, told The Produce News. “Attendance is down from last year. We feel the economic situation in the last few years is holding some people back. This year we’re trying to keep the cost of the show down to make it more affordable,” Shaner said.

Members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers have chosen three varieties for Cut Flowers of the Year. The evaluation is based on the cultivars’ performance in the ASCFG National Cut Flower Trials, and recommendations from cut flower growers across the country, according to an association news release.

The 2014 winners are the Snapdragon Chantilly Series in the fresh division; the Anemone Galilee Blue in the bulb division; and the Hydrangea Everlasting Series in the woody stem division.

“Navigating the Future” will be the theme of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Southern California Expo July 15 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. Over 1,500 floral and produce professionals are expected to attend and a capacity crowd of 225 exhibiting companies have reserved 194 booths on the show floor, Carissa Mace, president of the FPFC, told The Produce News.

Who is thinking about Christmas in July? The more than 700 active member farms of the National Christmas Tree Association, 29 state and regional associations, and more than 4,000 affiliated businesses that grow and sell Christmas trees or provide related supplies and services.