Florist

Additional Florist Program Links
Florist Design Contest Registration Form online registration or pdf to fax
Florist Tabletop Display Contract online contract or  pdf to fax
Floral Product Donation Form pdf to fax
 
 

Saturday, July 12
9:15am-10:30am
Surf's Up - Who's on the Web
Knowledge leaders: Bridget Behe
Most of us can't imagine life without cars, cell phones, and computers. Are customers any different? Internet marketing is a way of life for many businesses. Customers are looking online for information about gardening. Recent research at Michigan State University shows who is seeking information and who is buying plants and related products online. Bridget will share cutting-edge research results and suggest ways to implement findings to make your online marketing efforts more successful.

10:45am-12pm
Strategic Web Design
Knowledge leaders: Phil Adikes
With 7.3 million pages added to the Internet everyday, having an effective web presence is getting harder, but no less necessary. You will learn to strategically market on the web to build relationships, traffic, and referrals. Learn about push/pull marketing and the calls to action that work.

1pm-2:15pm
Building an E-Newsletter Program that Works
Knowledge leaders: Phil Adikes
Learn how to make your e-newsletter feel like a gift to the reader, get it opened, and how to convert that interest into sales. Get ideas to increase your subscriber list, build your open rate, and make grateful readers.

2:30pm-3:45pm
Search Engine Optimization
Knowledge leaders: Phil Adikes
Having a great web site only counts if someone sees it. Learn how to attract people when they are researching garden problems and project ideas. Phil will teach you the hot search terms and the keys to getting your page listed ahead of the mail order people and box stores.

6:15pm-8:15pm
Hands-On Workshop: Basics and Beyond of Corsages
Knowledge leaders: Vonda LaFever, AIFD
Sponsored by Teleflora
Learn corsages from basics to bold. In this workshop you will design traditional corsages as well as explore new ideas for body flowers. The mechanics will include both wiring and gluing techniques. (5 OCF CEUs) The pre-registration price is $90; the OFA member discount price is $65. Registration includes instruction, design materials, and finished pieces. Admission is limited. Participants must bring their own tools.


 
Sunday, July 13
7:30am-8:30am
OFA Florist Design Contest Check-In
Sonsored by Teleflora
Registrants must pre-register for this event. Check-in and displays will be located at the bottom of the main Convention Center escalator.

9am-10:15am
Design Show: The Price is Right
Knowledge leaders: Marlin Hargrove, AIFD
Sponsored by DESIGN MASTER color tool, inc. and Florists' Review
In this fun-filled design show, Marlin will explain how to price for profit in your retail shop. Through audience participation you will learn about everyday survival skills about the "taboo" financial side of your florist business. (5 OCF CEUs)

9am-5pm
Hands-On Workshop: The Basics & Beyond
Knowledge leaders: Sharon McGukin, AIFD, PFCI
Sponsored by Oasis Floral Products
Good design begins with a basic foundation in the principles and elements of design. Explore elemental concepts like balance and harmony, along with mechanical techniques such as wiring and taping. This hands-on workshop is for the floral designer who wants to learn the structural composition of an arrangment from the vase up. (5 OCF CEUs) Breaks will be scheduled throughout the day so that you can still participate in the OFA Florist Design Contest if you wish. The pre-registration price is $170; the OFA member discount price is $145. Registration includes instruction, design materials, and finished pieces. Admission is limited. Participants must bring their own tools.

10:30am-11:45am
Design Show: Making Money with High Style
Knowledge leaders: Vonda LaFever, AIFD
Sponsored by Teleflora
High style doesn't have to be high priced! Vonda will demonstrate designs using a minimal number of flowers that will still achieve the maximum percieved value. You can use these ideas for everyday or for that special event. Simple yet WOW! (5 OCF CEUs)

12:15pm-12:30pm
Announcement of Design-Off Contestants

12:30pm-1:15pm
OFA Florist Design Contest Design-Off
Sponsored by Teleflora
The five competitors with the top cumulative points from all three categories of the florist design contest will be eligible for the design- off. Come and see the design-off for the title of OFA Florist Designer of the Year.

1:30pm-2:45pm
Design Show: Making Money Everyday
Knowledge leaders: Tom Bowling, AIFD, PFCI
Sponsored by Syndicate Sales
Everyday work in most flower shops ranges from hospitals and holidays, parties and weddings, to sympathy design. Discover creative ideas to give your everyday work a fresh look while still keeping profitability in mind. Join Tom for creative ways to approach making money everyday in every way. (5 OCF CEUs)

3pm-3:45pm
Sales Tips and Techniques
Knowledge leaders: Sam Viviano
Sponsored by BloomNet
Learn the sales techniques that will enhance your business and build a strong base of repeat customers. Learn why people buy; selling in the red zone; the two most important words in selling; and what is takes to be number one in sales and stay there. (5 OCF CEUs)

4pm-5:15pm
Design Show: Wedding Budget: What Budget?
Knowledge leaders: Mary Linda Horn, AAF, AIFD, OCF, PFCI
Sponsored by BloomNet and Florists' Review
Join Mary Linda to learn how to produce more creative and more profitable wedding bouquets. As we know, every bride has a budget to work within, and Mary Linda has come up with creative ideas to give them the most bang for their buck. (5 OCF CEUs)

5:15pm-5:30pm
OFA Florist Design Contest Winners Announced
Sponsored by Teleflora
Join us for the announcement of the winners of each design contest category, people's choice award, the design-off, and the OFA Florist Designer of the Year.

5:15pm-7:15pm
Retailer Idea Exchange
Knowledge leaders: Gary Hudson, William McCurry
Join us for this highly interactive idea exchange! Bill and Gary are back with one of the most popular programs of the OFA Short Course. Learn from a wide variety of retailers the ideas that are profitable for their businesses – ideas that increase traffic and sales and also help build community ties. Listen to how retailers have tweaked other’s ideas to make them fit – with great results! Take away a handful of ideas that can energize your business. Be prepared to share, brainstorm, take notes, and network with the best in the business during this dynamic session. Participants say that the Retail Idea Exchange helped energize their staff and make their business prosper.

 
Monday, July 14

8am-9am
Small Spaces, Big Sales
Knowledge leaders: Krista Dwiggins
As Baby Boomers and families downsize their homes and yards, the small-space customer may become your hot new opportunity. Don’t miss out on this growing niche. Learn how to address this market through product selection, services, and staffing.

9:15am-10:30am
Retaining and Motivating Employees in Small Businesses
Knowledge leaders: Roy Prevost
“I QUIT!” Do these words strike fear in your heart or make your stomach sink? They should -- especially if they’re coming from your key employees. You need to protect yourself! Learn to motivate without speding a time; top reasons why employees learn their jobs and how to preven it; motivating different generations; and how to make your business the best place to work.

1pm-5pm
Ohio Certified Florist (OCF) Test
The Ohio Certified Florist (OCF) program provides recognition for a standardized, professional level of knowledge and expertise in the retail floral industry. To become a certified florist, you must enroll in the program, study the manual, and pass both the written and hands- on portions of the exam. You must pre-register for this exam by June 9. You can obtain further information about the OCF program at www.ofa.org/ocf.aspx. If you need more details, contact Libby at OFA at 614-487-1117.

5pm-10pm
Shuttles to Easton Town Center
Want to get away from the Convention Center for the evening? Easton Town Center has unique dining, entertainment, and shopping areas. For more information, visit www.eastontowncenter.com. Complimentatry shuttle service will run from the Convention Center connector to Easton Town Center on a continual basis. The last shuttle will leave Easton at 10 p.m. You do not need to register for this

6:30pm-8:30pm
OSU Annuals and Mixed Container Trials
Board a shuttle bus at the Convention Center Connector beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a short ride to The Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens to view the Annual Cultivar Trials and Mixed Container Trials. Heavy refreshments, jazzy entertainment, and guided tours of the trials and gardens will be provided. This venue is the perfect place to network with clients, relax with friends, or simply meander through the gardens. Be sure to bring your camera and business cards! Shuttles will depart the Convention Center Connector and OSU every 30 minutes. Final departure from OSU will be at 8:30 p.m. Return trips will drop off at the OFA short course hotels. This garden tour/networking opportunity is open to anyone with a badge.

 
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

8am-9am
Market Planning and Pricing Strategies for Profits
Knowledge leaders: Andy Buyting
Sponsored by Farm Credit Services of Mid-America
Andy has learned how to create a buzz around great deals while increasing margins and keeping more cash for the bottom line. This can be done by proper market planning and adopting a new pricing strategy. Learn how Green Village Home & Garden increased customer count while increasing margins by 5 percent in just 2 years. You can do it to!

2pm-3:15pm
Management for Growth - Start Working ON Your Business Instead of IN Your Business
Knowledge leaders: Andy Buyting
Learn how Green Village Home & Garden recruits, educates, and empowers its team of 120 employees to deliver top-quality customer service and performance, that frees the owner to take weekends off (even during peak season), and work ON the business instead of IN it!

3:30pm-4:45pm
Help! I Have More to do Than Time to Do it!
Knowledge leaders: Pat McWard
Pat will show you how to stop being busy, drop worthless activities, and start thriving by taking right actions focused on what is most important to you, your company, and your customers. Tap into your individual talents and passion to work more effectively in a demanding and pressurized world. This is the “how” of cutting-edge effectiveness -- beyond time management to true success.