Competitions 101: What They Are & How to Get Started

Curious about competitions but not sure where to begin? Join us for a casual Next Gen Virtual Coffee Chat designed to demystify the world of industry competitions and help you take that first step with confidence. 

We’ll cover the basics—what types of competitions are out there, where to find them, how to decide which ones are right for you, and what to expect when you participate. You’ll also hear honest insights about preparation, time commitment, and how competitions can support your creative growth, visibility, and professional development. 

Whether you’re competition-curious, actively considering entering your first one, or just want to learn more about the landscape, this conversation is a low-pressure way to get informed, ask questions, and connect with peers who are navigating the same path.  

Come learn, connect, and leave feeling ready to explore what competitions can offer you. 

April 2026 Idea Exchange: Service that Stand Out 

Exceptional service isn’t just about fixing problems - it’s about creating experiences that make customers feel genuinely valued.  Join Tim Huckabee of The Profitable Florist and your peers to discuss how to empower employees to delivery personalized, consistent service that strengthens customer loyalty.  Explore practical ways to weave meaningful details, consistency and care into every interaction – digitally or in person. 

Key Takeaways:  

• Equip your team to spot and act on selling and service opportunities within their roles. 

• Learn simple, memorable ways to make customers feel recognized and appreciated. 

• Create alignment across your business so every customer receives the same exceptional experience. 

Tipping can motivate employees and boost morale, but it can also raise tough questions about fairness, compliance, and transparency.  Join peers to discuss the pros and cons of implementing a tipping program, from deciding how to structure payouts to ensuring your system aligns with payroll best practices.   

Key Takeaways: 

• Understand the advantages and challenges of introducing a tipping program in your shop. 

• Explore different models -pooled, individual, or hybrid - and how to apply them fairly across roles and hours. 

• Learn best practices for staying compliant and transparent in tip distribution and reporting. 

From Connection to Growth: The Power of Community Involvement

Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join us for a relaxed, interactive Next Gen Virtual Coffee Chat focused on the power of community involvement. In this session, we’ll explore how engaging with your local and professional communities can strengthen your brand, expand your network, and create meaningful business opportunities. 

You’ll hear real-world insights on building authentic connections, giving back with intention, and leveraging community engagement to support long-term growth—without it feeling forced or transactional. Expect a candid conversation, practical takeaways, and plenty of space to ask questions and share your own experiences. 

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your involvement, this coffee chat is a great way to connect with peers, learn from one another, and walk away inspired to make a bigger impact—both in your community and your business. 

This quarterly event is reserved for SAF's Ultimate level members.

Not an Ultimate level member but want more information on how you can join other roundtable events? Contact SAF’s Membership Specialist Justine Seas.

What did Valentine’s Day really reveal about today’s floral consumer — and what does it signal for the industry’s next big moment? In this fast-paced virtual session, SAF Chief Economist Charlie Hall, Ph.D., unpacks fresh IPSOS consumer data commissioned by SAF to expose what shoppers actually did this Valentine’s Day, how spending shifted, and what early demand signals may be pointing toward for Mother’s Day.   

You’ll also hear rapid-fire insights from retailers across the country — what worked, what didn’t, and what trends caught them by surprise. Walk away with actionable takeaways you can use immediately to adjust inventory planning, refine promotions, and strengthen your Mother’s Day strategy while you still have time to make changes.  

Come prepared to share and discuss:  

• How your 2026 Valentine’s Day sales stacked up against 2025 — and why those differences matter  

• Emerging consumer buying trends you should factor into your spring planning  

• Your best predictions — and biggest questions — heading into Mother’s Day  

Your delivery service is more than a logistics function — it’s a powerful extension of your brand.  Join peers to explore how strategic pricing, marketing, and branding can help you manage delivery volume, boost profitability, and capture last-minute sales opportunities. Learn how to position delivery as a year-round revenue driver while ramping up for high-demand holidays like Valentine’s Day.   

Key Takeaways: 

• Use marketing and branding to turn your delivery service into a competitive advantage. 

• Apply pricing strategies that balance demand, capacity, and profitability. 

• Strengthen delivery operations to handle daily orders and holiday surges, whether in-house or through third-party partners. 

Join us for the first-ever PFCI Annual Meeting, where Trustees and members will come together to celebrate 2025 accomplishments and look ahead to an exciting year of growth, education, and connection.

We’ll highlight key achievements—including the Sylvia Cup and the induction of our newest members—share updates on member communications and social media engagement, and reveal important 2026 dates and activities, including application deadlines, spring meetings, and convention plans.

Attendees will also learn about the expanded mentorship program and the launch of the new PFCI Communications Committee, both designed to enhance support and visibility for members and candidates.

Let’s collaborate, inspire one another, and set the tone for a successful year ahead. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Please list any questions you have for the PFCI Board of Trustees on the discussions tab prior to the event. 

Spanish translation will be available.  

With millions of stems moving through the supply chain this holiday, every detail - from temperature to hydration - can make or break the final product.

Smart planning, disciplined pricing, and streamlined routes can turn your busiest holiday into your most profitable one.

Tim calls a respected respected, long-standing flower shop in suburban Chicago to  see how their phone service would hold up when presented with a truly high-value, emotionally charged order.