The latest economic, consumer and market trends that are impacting and/or supporting the growth of the floral industry. This was the focus area of education at the last PMA Fresh Connection that was held in Miami last week where over 225 floral industry leaders, were interacting and brain-storming at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center.
The event is organized by the PMA, and sponsored by nine companies, of which six floral companies, including Ball. Lourdes Reyes was at the event and shot some pictures and shows us the PMA Fresh Connections through the eyes of a breeder.
Lourdes Reyes with Andrea Chaparro Wilbrink of Broekhof packaging in Miami, at the event.
"The PMA is the trade association for the mass-market/supermarket side of the floral industry and provides the opportunities to connect with the global floral supply chain. It also provides the floral information and data needed to grow the floral industry. Being the first link in the chain of the floral business it is paramount for Ball to be involved in the PMA activities to be able to see where the trends are going to be able to breed accordingly", she says.
Participants working
Lourdes was very pleased with the set-up of the event and the topics covered. "May 16 was a day packed with interactive presentations and plenty of time for networking. For the Ball staff present, it was a very interactive event since it was not only being informed on the economics and market trends but having a lot of good quality time with peers learning from one another on how the future of the business will be conducted."
"The 'Thought on topics' were place at the four corners of the room . Our group got "How to approach the reluctant buyer?" The answers were written down on the wall."
And when looking at the event through the eyes of a breeder, Lourdes had some favorite topics: "How to create an impulse buying through the devises used by the “Linkster” (now that the millennials are old and are having children of their own), how to approach the “Reluctant“ flower buyer (the activity where she was interacting) and the AI in the flower business were my favorite topics."
Center pieces with Ball core varieties.
On top of that, she was also happy with the opportunity Ball got to share their story and show their varieties. "I was so happy and proud with the chance given to me, to explain about the Ball company at the beginning of the session. Besides, three of our latest breeding varieties were displayed beautifully on a table top, and our core varieties were shinning in center pieces for all to admire."
Thanking of the sponsors of the event.
"I am truly happy that our breeding is going in the right way, with different innovative varieties and many beautiful stories to go along with them. The future is here, and Ball is ready to color the future world."
For more i
nformation
BallSB
Lourdes Reyes
Email: lreyes@ballsb.com
www.ballsb.com
PMA Fresh Connections
www.pma.com